A monographic revision of the ant genus Pristomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

160 Pages·2003·84.5 MB·English

by  M Wang

A MONOGRAPHIC REVISION OF THE ANT GENUS PRISTOMYRMEX
(HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE)
MINSHENG WANG^
CONTENTS
Abstract 383 Pristomynnex wheeleri Taylor 478
Introduction 383 Pristomyrmexwilsoni Taylor — 481
-
Collections 385 The trispinosus Group 483
Measurements and Indices 385 Pristomyrmex bispinosus (Donisthorpe) 484
A BriefHistoiyofthe Genus Pristomynnex ... 386 Pristomynnex browni sp. n. 485
Genus Pristomynnex Mayr 387 Pristomyrmex trispinosus (Donisthoipe) 488
List ofPristomynnex Names wdth Synonymies 392 The levigatus Group 489
Key to the World Species ofPristomynnex Pristomynnex acerosus sp. n. 491
(Workers) 393 Pristomynnex boltont sp. n. __ 492
The punctatus Group 404 Pristomyrmex coggii Emery 493
Pristomynnex divisus sp. n. - 404 Pristomynnex inermis sp. n. 496
Pristomynnexfossulatus (Forel) 406 Pristomynnex largus sp. n. 497
Pristomynnexpiilchersp. n. 408 Pristomynnex levigatus Emery 499
ThPPerriicrssittboormmayyrnniunnseexxGrpriuognuicpdtuastussp.(nF.. Smith) 444111570 PPPrrriiissstttooommmyyymrnimneeexxx mlluoacnnigdduiusbsuslEpa.mreni.sryMann — 555000235
ThPeriqismtdormiydnennesxGcrrioburaprius Arnold ._._ 441280 PPrriissttoommyymmiieexx ombiensuusscuMluasnnsp. n. 550097
PPPrrriiissstttooommmyyyirrtmmneeexxx babifrcreoivlcioasrnpuiEsnmoKseauirsyavEsamtiaeet.rvyn. 444222385 ThPPerripisrsottfooummnyydrnumnseexxGpsriromoupfpluenxdussp.snp.. n. 555111245
The umbripennis Group 516
Pristomynnex collinus sp. n. 432 Pristomymiexfuscipennis (F Smith) 517
Pristomymiex costatus sp. n. 434 Pristomynnexpicteti Emeiy 518
Pristomynnexcurvidus sp. n. 437 Pristomynnexpollux Donisthoi-pe 521
Pristomyrmex eduardi Forel 440 Pristomyrmex reticulatus Donisthorpe 524
Pristomynnex erytliropygiis Taylor 441 Pristomymiex umbripennis (F Smith) 525
Pristomynnexflatus sp. n. 443 Nomen Nudum 528
Pristomyrmexfoveolatus Taylor 446 Pristomyrmexparvispina Emery 528
Pristomynnex hirsutus sp. n. 449 Acknowledgments 539
Pristomynnex longispinus sp. n. 450 References 539
Pristomynnex modestus sp. n. 452
Pristomynnex nitidissimus Donisthorpe 453 Abstract. The ant genus Pristomynnex is revised
Pristonu/nnex occultus sp. n. _ 455 as awhole for the first time. The genus is redefined,
Pristomyrmex orbiceps (Santschi) 456 and seven species groups are erected and discussed.
Pristonujrmex quadridens Emery 459 Illustrations are present for all 52 species. A key to
Pristomynnex quadridentatus (Andre) 463 theworkercasteisprovided. Twenty-onenewspecies
Pristomyrmex quindentatus sp. n. 467 are described: 20 from the Oriental region and one
Pristomynnex sulcatus Emery stat. n 469 from Mauritius. Thirteen names are newly synony-
Pristomynnexthoracicus Taylor 473 mized, and two formerinfraspecific taxaare elevated
Pristomynnex trachylissus (F. Smith) 474 to species rank.
Pristonujrmex trogor Bolton 476
INTRODUCTION
' Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard Uni- Pristornijrrnex, an ant genus ofmoderate
versity, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138. size, contains 52 living species, but fossils
Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 157(6): 383-542, April, 2003 383
384 Bulletin Museum ofComparative Zoology, Vol. 157, No. 6
have not been discovered. Pristomijmiex zutani, 1980, 1982; Peeters, 1993; Tsuji,
occurs primarily in the Oriental region, 1988a,b,c, 1990a,b, 1994, 1995; Tsuji and
but six endemic species are present in the Ito, 1986). Ergatoid queens, a special
eastern rainforest ofAustralia and five en- wingless female caste morphologically in-
demic species in Africa. In addition, in termediate between the queen and the
Mauritius there are three native species, worker, are present in at least four species:
one of which also occurs on Reunion Is- P. punctatus, P. africanus, P. wheeleri, and
land. Lastly, one species, Pristomijmiex P. mandibularis; two ofthem (P. africanus
punctatus, has invaded temperate China, and P. wheeleri) possess both queen and
Korea, and Japan. This species has also ergatoid queen castes. Character displace-
been detected at two entry ports in the ment, showing that two species possess a
United States and thus shows potential for greater difference in sympatric than allo-
spread via human commercial actions. patric populations, has also been reported
Pristomijmiex belongs to the subfamily in this genus by Taylor (1965). In addition,
Myrmicinae. It possesses a raised trans- simulating death, slowness of movement,
verse ridge or a few toothlike prominences and nocturnal foragers are also recorded
on the dorsal labrum in all female castes, in Pristomyrmex (Donisthorpe, 1946; Tay-
including workers, ergatoid queens, and lor, 1965; Weber, 1941). Colony size varies
queens. This character is also shared by greatly among species, ranging from about
the myrmicine genera Acanthomyrmex, a dozen to several thousandworkers (Don-
Myrmecina, and Perissomymiex. As a re- isthorpe, 1946; Itow et al, 1984; Mann,
sult, these four living genera are grouped 1919; Taylor, 1965, 1968).
together in the tribe Myrmecinini (Bolton, Although Pristomyrmex is biologically
1994, 1995, personal communication; promising, the taxonomic foundation of
Brown, 1971). Pristomyrmex is unique in the genus is poor. Much of the literature
the tribe because it is the only genus pos- on Pristomyrmex is more than 50 years old
sessing 11 antennal segments in all three and consists ofisolated descriptions ofspe-
female castes and 12 segments in the male. cies or infraspecific forms. Only a handful
Most Pristomyrmex species dwell in the of papers present more comprehensive
rainforest, foraging as predators or scav- studies of the Australian and African su-
engers. An Asian species, P. punctatus, bfaunas, respectively (Bolton, 1981; Taylor,
however, occurs in open and disturbed 1965, 1968). The tropical Asian region,
habitats (e.g., bare hills, agricultural areas, however, containing the bulk of the de-
and beaches). These ants prefer to nest in scribed taxa, has been in taxonomic chaos,
soil, litter, or rotten wood; in rotten parts for many years obscuring a better under-
of living trees; in dead standing trees; or standing of the evolution and radiation of
around plant roots. this interesting group.
Pristomyrmex is of great interest be- This survey takes the whole Pristomyr-
cause it exliibits several unusual biological mex into consideration. I believe that only
and evolutionaryphenomena. The absence after that the entire genus coveringallzoo-
of moi"phologically normal queens and re- geographical regions is comprehensively
production primarily by unmated workers investigated can a full set of characters to
in P. punctatus {=P. pungens) is a highly define the genus be summarized, the spe-
unusual life history in the Formicidae. It cies groups correctly erected, and the re-
has attracted much attention from those lationships between species properly ana-
who hope to obtain insight into the nature lyzed and then the possible origin and the
of reproductive conflict within colonies evolution of the genus hypothesized.
since, in this species, reproductive division I present a detailed description of the
of labor occurs among moi"phologically taxonomic characters for the worker caste
identical workers (Itow et al., 1984; Mu- ofeach species. These characters not only
Revision of the Ant Genus Pristomyrmex• Wang 385
are useful for the species identity but also MNHA Museum of Nature and Human
provide important information for a fur- Activities, Sanda, Hyogo, Japan
ther study on the phylogenywithin the ge- MNHN Museum National d'Histoire
nus. I also include illustrations and de- Naturelle, Paris, France
scriptions of males for many species as MNHU Museum fiir Naturkunde der
possible. This was done for three reasons. Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin,
First, two species (P. pollux and P. reticu- Berlin, Gennany
NACA
latus) were described, each from a single National Arthropod Collection,
male speciiTien, many years ago. Without Mount Albert Research Center,
examining other available males, I would Auckland, New Zealand
NHMB
not be able to assign these two species to Naturhistorisches Museum, Ba-
their appropriate species group, and the sel, Switzerland
NHMV
discovery ofother new species would then Naturhistorisches Museum, Vi-
be impeded. Second, the males of inost enna, Austria
ant genera are very poorly characterized NHPS Naturhistoriska Piksmuseet,
and thus cannot be curated properly in Stockliolm, Sweden
OXUM
museum collections. Finally, I feel that Oxford University Museum, Ox-
these inales contain some clues for the ford, U.K.
study of the phylogenetic relationships of SAMC South African Museum, Cape
the genus. Town, South Africa
USNM National Museum of Natural
COLLECTIONS History, Washington, D.C.
AMNH American Museum of Natural U.S.A.
Histoiy, New York, N.Y., U.S.A. MEASUREMENTS AND INDICES
ANIC Austrahan National Insect Col- Head Width (HW). Maximum width of
BMHH lection, Canberra City, Australia head, in full-face view, excluding the eyes
Bishop Museum, The State Mu-
(Fig. 1).
seum of Natural and Cultural Head Width Inchiding the Eyes (HWE).
History, Honolulu, Hawaii, Maximum width of head across the eyes,
BMNH U.S.A. in full-face view. This measurement is
Natural Histoiy Museum, Lon- used only in the male.
don, U.K. Head Length (HL). Length of the head
CASC California Academy of Sciences, in full-face view, excluding the inandibles
San Francisco, California, U.S.A. (Fig. 1), measured from the midpoint ofa
IZAS Institute ofZoology, Academyof straight line across the occipital margin to
Sinica, Beijing, China either the apex of the median tooth (if it
IZUA Institute of Zoology, Ukrainian is present) of the anterior clypeal niargin
National Academy of Sciences, or the midpoint of a line connecting the
LACM NKiaetvu,raUlkrHaiisnteory Museum of Los daipaenxetsoootfhtihseabtsweontl)atoefratlheteaentther(iiofrtchleypmeea-l
Angeles County, Los Angeles, margin or the midpoint of the anterior
California, U.S.A. clypeal ixiargin (ifthe anterior margin lacks
MCSN Museo Civico di Storia Naturale any teeth).
"Giacomo Doria", Genoa, Italy Cephalic Index (CI). HW/HL X 100.
MCZC Museum of Comparative Zool- Scape Length (SL). Length of the an-
ogy, Harvard University, Cam- tenna! scape, including the lamella encir-
bridge, Mass., U.S.A. cling the base of the scape but excluding
MHNG
Museum d'Histoire Naturelle, the basal condyle (Fig. 1).
Geneva, Switzerland Scape Index (SI). SL/HW X 100.
386 Bulletin Museum ofComparative Zoology, Vol. 157, No. 6
Figures 1-3. Measurements illustrated forthis study (worker of Pristomyrmexlongispinussp. n. 1: Head, full-face view; 2:
Entire body, lateralview; 3: Dorsal viewofalitrunk, petiole, and postpetiole.
Pronotal Width (PW). Maximum width Pronotal Spine Length (PSLl). A
of the pronotum in dorsal view (Fig. 3). straight distance from the base to the apex
Alitnink Length (AL). Diagonal length of pronotal spine (see Fig. 2).
ofthe alitrunk in lateral view, from the an- Propodeal Spine Length (PSL2). A
teriormost point of the pronotum to the straight distance from the base to the apex
apex of the metapleural lobe (Fig. 2). of propodeal spine (see Fig. 2).
Eye Length (EL). Maximum length of Po.stpetiole Index (PPI). PFW/PPL X
the eye. 100 (PPW: maximum width of the post-
Total Length (TL). TLl + TL2 + TL3 petiole in dorsal vies; PPL: length of the
(see Fig. 2). (Note: The measurements of postpetiole in dorsal view).
TL do not deal with those individuals
whose gasters are abnormally contracted All measurements are taken in milli-
or prolonged or whose petioles are raised meters.
too high or too low.) TLl: A line mea- Note: For the Australian species, my
sured from the apex of the closed man- measurements differ slightly from Taylors
dibles to the midpoint of a straight line (1965, 1968). For the maximum measur-
across the occipital margin, in full-face able width of head, I have excluded the
view. TL2: A straight line from the anter- eyes, which were included by Taylor.
iormost point of the pronotum to the A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE GENUS
point at which the posterior margin of PRISTOMYRMEX
postpetiole meets the uppermost point of
an articulation. TL3: A line from the an- The genus Pristomijnnex, when erected
terior-uppermost point ofthe articulation by Mayr (1866), contained one species, P.
to the apex of gaster. pungens Mayr (=a junior synonym of P.
Revision of the Ant Genus Pristomyrmex• Wang 387
ptinctatus (F. Smith)), a member of the to the genus for the first time. Pristomyr-
present punctatus group. At that time, mex cribrarius, the sole member of the
Mayr did not reahze that five species de- cribrarius group, was described by Arnold
scribed by F. Smith (1858, 1860, 1861, (1926). Lastly, Brown (1971) synonymized
1863, 1865), that is, Mijrmicafuscipennis, the genus Dodous Donisthorpe, adding
Myrinica punctata, Mijnnica trachylissa, species belonging to the present trispino-
Mijrniica unibripennis, and Solenopsis lae- sus group to the genus. Thus, the genus
vis, also belonged in the new genus. Mayr Pristomyrmex became clearly delimited
(1866) provided a description ofthe genus, and assumed its modern form.
which actually was siiTiply derived from
GENUS PRISTOMYRMEX MAYR
some characters of the species P. puncta-
tus (F. Smith). A second member of the Pristomyrmex Mayr, 1866: 903. Tyjae species: Pristo-
punctatus group was introduced by Sants- myrmex pungens Mayr, op. cit.: 904 [=Mynnica
chi (1916) when he transferred Tetramo- 'punctata F. Smith, I860: 108; =Pristomymiex
rium (Xiphomyrmex) fossulatum Forel to Odpounntctoamtyunsne(Fx. SAinnidtrh)e],; b1y90m5o:not20y7p.y.Type species:
Pristomyrmex. Odontomyrmex quadridentatus Andre, op. cit.:
The content ofthe genus Pristonujrmex 208; by monotypy. [As a subgenus, thus synonym,
expanded for the first tiiTie when Mayr o(Pristomyrmex by Forel, 1915: 53.]
(1886) transferred Myrmica trachylissa F. Hylidris Weber, 1941: 190. Type species: Hylidris
Smith to Pristonujrniex. Pristonujnnex tra- mKayrearvsaiieWve);bebry,olroicg.incaitl.d{e=siPgrniasttioonm.yn[nSeyxnoafnryimcaynibiys
chylissus is now a ineinber of the quaclri- Brown, 1953: 9.]
dens group. After that, many species ofthe Dodous Donisthorpe, 1946: 145. Type species: Do-
quadridens group were discovered (Bol- dous trispinostis Donisthorpe, loc. cit.; by original
ton, 1981; Donisthoipe, 1949c; Emeiy, designation. [Synonymyby Brown, 1971: 3.]
1887, 1895, 1897, 1900; Forel, 1914; Ka- Diagnosis of worker, queen, and erga-
ravaiev, 1931, 1933; Taylor, 1965, 1968), toid queen. Combination of the following
and several more naines were addedto the asterisked four characters (i.e., characters
group when Odontomynnex Andre and 2, 7, 11, and 29 in the worker caste) sep-
Hijlidris Weber were designated by Forel arating Pristomyrmex froin other myrmi-
(1915) and Brown (1953) as a subgenus cine genera.
and a synonym of Pristomyrmex, respec- Definition: Worker. Possessing the fol-
tively. But, Mann (1919) found no evi- lowing combination of characters:
mdie/nncneexs.upporting the subgenus Odonto- to 1.larSgmea-lsliz(edTL(1T.L74,7.H06L, 0H.4L6, 1H.6W8, 0H.46W)
The iTiembers ofthe third species group 1.74) iTionomorphic myrmicine ants.
(i.e., umbripennis group) o£Pristonujrniex *2. Mandible soineM^hat subtriangular;
were recognized first by Emeiy He de- masticatory margin ofmandible with three
scribed a new species {PHstonujnnex pic- to five teeth, which have one or the other
teti) in 1893 and transferred a species of the following six basic arrangements:
{Myrmicafuscipennis F Smith) to Pristo- (1) the strongest apical + the second
myrmex in 1901. Donisthoi"pe expanded strongest preapical + the smallest
the umbripennis group: He transferred third + the acute basal tooth, dia-
Myrmica umbripennis F. Smith and Sole- stema lacking, as in levigatus group
nopsis laevis F. Smith to Pristomyrmex and and in profundus group, or
described Pristoinynnex pollux and Pris- (2) the strongest apical + the second
tomyrmex reticulatus (1932, 1946, 1949a). strongest preapical + two smaller
When Emery (1897) described Pristo- teeth of similar size, diastema indis-
myrmex coggii, Pristonujnnex levigatus, tinct or lacking, as in umbripennis
and Pristomyrmex lucidus, representatives group, or
ofthe present levigatus group w^ere added (3) the strongest apical + the second
388 Bulletin Museum ofComparative Zoology, Vol. 157, No. 6
strongest preapical + a shorter dian tooth or two lateral teeth, or with a
(first) diastema (sometimes the first transverse ridge, or without any ridge or
diastema is not distinct) + a small tooth.
denticle + a longer (second) diaste- *7. Dorsal labrum with a raised trans-
ma + a small basal denticle, as in verse ridge or a few toothlike proininenc-
both P. bispmcsus and P. trispino- es, present on the anterior portion of la-
SU.S, or brum in most species.
(4) the apical + the preapical + a lon- 8. Palp formula 1,2, 1,3, 2,2, 2,3, 4,3, or
ger diastema + a small denticle + a 5,3.
shorter diastema (sometiines the 9. Frontal lobes absent in punctatus
second diastema is indistinct) + a and trispinosus groups or weak, as in lev-
sinall basal denticle, as in P. browni, igatiis, profundus, and qiiadridens groups,
or or somewhat expanded, as in unibripennis
(5) the strongest apical + the second group; as a result, the articulations of the
strongest preapical + a distinct di- antennae are mostly or entirely exposed in
astema + a basal tooth (which is full-face view.
sometimes formed by the fusion of 10. Frontal carinae usually developed,
the two small teeth) or two (or extending to the level ofthe posteriormar-
three) small teeth of similar size, as gins ofeyes, but sometimes frontal carinae
in punctatus group, cribrarius absent or very short, as in the trispinosus
group, and most members of the group, in P. trogor, and in P. longispinus.
qiiardridens group, or *11. Antennae with 11 segments; apical
(6) the strongest apical + the second three segments forming a distinct club.
strongest preapical + an intercalary 12. Base of each antennal scape encir-
tooth + a very short diastema (or cled by a narrow lamella, except in P. pro-
this diastema indistinct) + two small fundus; this lamella usually with a broad
teeth of similar size, as shown in P. and deep notch on the center of dorsal
trachijlissu.s. surface in the unibripennis group but en-
3. Basal margin of mandible with a tire in the other species groups.
broad-based triangular or an acute and 13. Antennal scrobes usually absent or
prominent tooth, or onlycurved, not form- weakly developed, but in P. profundus, the
ing tooth, or almost straight. scrobes are deep and well developed.
4. Median part of clypeus shieldlike, 14. Eyes present in all known species,
projectingposteriorlybetween the bases of situated approxiinately at the midlength of
the antennae; lateral parts of clypeus in the sides of the head; usually moderate-
front of antennal insertions usually re- sized, but small in the several species (P.
duced to ridges but rarely (in the two Ori- boltoni, P. coggii, P. longus, P. eduardi, P.
ental species P. clivisus and P. pulcher) de- picteti, and P. pollux).
veloped so that the antennal fossae do not 15. Ahtrunk usually lacking dorsal su-
reach the lateral anterior margins of clyp- tures, but in the three species ofthetrispi-
eus. nosus group, a promesonotal suture or im-
5. Anterior clypeal margin usually with pression present.
a median tooth and one to tliree pairs of 16. Pronotum unarmed, or armed with
lateral denticles (or crenulate shapes) but a pair oftubercles, teeth, or spines ofvary-
sometimes the median tooth rudimentaiy ing sizes.
(as in some species ofthe levigatiis group) 17. Mesonotum usually unarmed, but
and sometimes anterior clypeal margin with a pair of thick, blunt, and digitlike
lacking any distinct denticles (as in P. pro- short prominences in P. trispinosus, and
fundus, P. divisus, and P. pidcher). sometimes weakly tuberculated in P. bispi-
6. Ventral surface ofclypeus with a me- no.sus and P. browni.
Revision of the Ant Genus Pristomyrmex• Wang 389
18. Propodeum armed with a pair of long, forward-projecting hairs flanking the
teeth or spines, except in P. inennis. midpoint of margin.
19. Metapleural lobes usually subtrian- 30. Sting slender and long.
gular, or each with a blunt-rounded to Female. Usually alate, but in some spe-
semicircular apex, but indistinct in P. pro- cies (P. punctatus, P. niandibularis), only
fundus. ergatoid queens have been found. In some
20. Fore tibial spurs pectinate. Middle species (P. wheeleri, P. africanus), both
and hind tibiae sometimes without any alate and ergatoid queens exist.
spur, sometimes with either simple orhair- Alate Queen. Characters similarto those
like spurs. of worker in the structure and shape of
21. Propodeal spiracles circular and mandible, palp formula, clypeus, frontal
high-positioned on the lateral surfaces of lobes, frontal carinae, antennae, meta-
the propodeum. pleural lobes, tibial spurs, petiole node,
22. Metapleural gland bullae large, sep- postpetiole, and sting as well as in the
arated from the propodeal spiracles, and sculpture of body. But larger, with slightly
positioned above the posterior lower cor- or much larger eyes, than in the conspe-
ners of propodeum. cific worker; three ocelli present. The ali-
23. Petiole in profile nodiform or trunk with wings and flight sclerites; well-
wedge-shaped, pedunculate, usuallywith a marked dorsal sutures present. Pronotal
long anterior peduncle. spines usually absent, but in some species,
24. Subpetiole sometiixies without a the pronotuin is arinedwith apair ofteeth
ventral process, sometiiTies bearing a nar- that are much shorter than in conspecific
row semitranslucent lamella. In P. acero- worker; propodeal teeth or spines usually
shorter than those of conspecific worker.
suussu2,a5l.alypPironolsuitknpedetepidrooldcoeersssialnlisyp.prroefsielnet.nodiform, WOinngthevenfaorteiwoinngass,sthhoewnmarigninFailgurceelsl 4(—s5e.e
cle2,6.andPetfiirosltegassptirraalclsep,irapcolsetpveitsiibollee. spira- osHpyoemlnlb;doolRbsle-\u-rsSeacdn,dthsWieicekls(oBfnor,rotw1h9ne90e:axnp9dl)aniNsautatiltowinangyo,sf
27. Dorsal surfaces ofhead and alitrunk 1950); A short, far from the anal angle; A,
smooth, or possessing either scattered fo- Cu-A, M/2+3 usually reduced to vestigial
veolate punctures, or foveolate-reticulate
lines distally; cross-vein m-cii and r-m ab-
sculpture, or developed rugoreticulum, or
sent; cross-vein cu-a usually present but
regular striate sculpture. Gaster unsculp-
sometimes broken in larger species (such
tured.
as P. picteti, P. umbripennis) and some-
28. Dorsal surfaces ofhead and alitrunk times rudimentary or very weak in some
usually with nuinerous hairs, but only a samples of a few smaller species (e.g., P.
few hairs present on the dorsal alitrunk in orbiceps, P. lucidus); Ir absent; anal lobe
P. fossulatus, P. orbiceps, and P. trogor. usually indistinct in smaller species but
Petiole and postpetiole each usually with present in larger species. Hind wingswith-
one to three pairs ofhairs, but sometimes out anal lobe. (Note: The venation of the
more pairs of hairs present; sometiixies both fore and hind wings ofalates, in Pris-
petiole and postpetiole lacking hairs. First tomijnnex, is rather stable, with only slight
gastral tergite usuallywithout hairs orvdth variations within the different species. For
a few sparse hairs, but sometimes first gas- example, on the forewings, A^2+3, some-
tral tergite covered with numerous, evenly times becomes an almost entirely vestigial
distributed, erect or suberect hairs. line, but sometimes it is distinct and rather
*29. Anterior clypeal margin lacking a long; jR.s/4 + Rs/5 is rather thick and long
median seta at the midpoint ofthe margin, in some larger species but thin and short
instead usually having two to three pairs of in some sinaller species).
390 Bulletin Museum ofComparative Zoology, Vol. 157, No. 6
Figures4-7. GeneralforewingandhindwingvenationofalatequeensandmalesofPristomyrmex.4;Forewingofalatequeens;
5: Hindwingofalate queens; 6: Forewingofmales; 7: Hindwing ofmales.
[Theforewingandhindwingvenationofthealatequeensofthefollowing13Pristomyrmexspecieswasexamined:P.brevispi-
nosus, P. collinus, P. orbiceps, P. quadridens, P. quindentatus, P. sulcatus, P. levigatus, P. lucidus, P. obesus, P. fuscipennis,
P. picteti, P. pollux, and P. umbripennis. The malesof 16 Pristomyrmexspecieswereexamined; P. brevispinosus, P. flatus, P.
trogor, P. longispinus, P. orbiceps, P. quadridens, P. quadhdentatus, P. sulcatus, P. browni, P. trispinosus, P. obesus, P.
levigatus, P. picteti, P. pollux, P. umbripennis,and P. punctatus.]
ErgatoicI Queen. General characters, in- 5. Eyes very large, well developed, and
cluding the pronotal proininences and size convex, situated at the sides of head.
ofbody, similar to those ofthe conspecific 6. Antennae filiform, 12 segments, lack-
worker. Ocellus present (one ocellus in P. ing a lamella encircling the base. Scapes
mandibularis but three ocelli in P. punc- short, usually distinct shorter than the
tatus, P. wheeleri, and P. africanu.'i); apter- maxiinum length of eye; of the other 11
ous, but mesonotum more convex than in funicular seginents, the first segment
conspecific worker; pro-mesonotal suture shortest, the apical segment longest, the
present in P. mandibularis but represented remaining nine seginents much longer
by an impression in P. punctatus, P. whee- than their broad.
leri, and P. africanus. 7. Three ocelli conspicuous and well
Male. Possessing the following combi- developed, situated on the vertex of the
nation of characters (summarized accord- head.
ing to 54 specimens falling into at least 17 8. Antennal sockets set back from the
species): posterior margin of the clypeus.
1. Small to moderate size (TL 2.40— 9. Antennal scrobes absent.
HL HW HWE
6.04, 0.48-0.94, 0.51-0.98, 10. Frontal carinae absent or very short
0.62—1.10), usually sinaller than the con- and weak.
specific queen. 11. Frontal lobes absent so that the ar-
2. Head, in full-face view, across andin- ticulations of the antennae are coinpletely
cluding the eyes, usuallybroaderthan long exposed in full-face view.
(Figs. 261-269). 12. Palp formula as in the conspecific
3. Mandibles vestigial, very small, worker in seven species exaiTiined (i.e., P.
rounded or toothlike, far from meeting, as punctatus, P. quadridens, P. curvulus, P.
indicated by an arrow in Figure 262. brevispinosus, P. stdcatus, P. picteti, and P.
4. Anterior ixiargin of labrum broadly pollux).
concave at center; dorsum oflabrum with- 13. Clypeus convex in the middle, not
out anytransverse ridge ortoothlike prom- projecting posteriorly upward between the
inences (see Figs. 262, 264, 269). bases of antennae; its shape transverse, or
Revision of the Ant Genus Pristomyrmex• Wang 391
somewhat semicircular; its anterior margin 26. Usually much less sculptured than
entire, without any denticles, usually rath- conspecific worker and queen.
er straight but sometimes arched. 27. Numerous hairs present on the en-
14. Cheeks very short. tire dorsal surfaces of body.
15. Alitrunk robust, with wings, well- (Note: The genitalia of males is not dis-
developed flight sclerites, andwell-marked sected.)
sutures. The male of Pristomyrmex can be dis-
16. Pronotum narrow in middle, over- tinguished within the tribe Myrmecinini
hung by mesoscutum in lateral view, lack- by the following characters:
ing any annaments. Pristomyrmex
17. Mesonotum well developed, con- Antennae: 12 segments
sisting of a large mesoscutum, a rather Mandibles: Very sinall, toothlike, not
large mesoscutellum, and two small axillae. meeting
Notauli usuallydistinct, fonning aY shape, Petiole: With a long anterior peduncle
but sometiines they show a V shape, and Forewing: Without m-cu cross-vein;
sometimes they are absent or very weak. inarginal cell open
Parapsidal furrows usually absent, but
Acanthomyrmex
sometimes they are superficially im-
Antennae: 13 seginents
pressed.
18. Metanotum transverse, narrow, Manedigihbtletse:ethS,ubitnreiaentgiunlgarw,hewniththesyixarteo
overhung by mesoscutellum.
closed
19. Propodeum showing a sloping dor- Petiole: Similar to that ofPristomyrmex
sal surface; propodeal anxiaixients absent Forewing: ?With m-cu cross-vein; mar-
or present; if present, they are usually ginal cell closed
shorter than in the conspecific worker.
Myrmecina
20. Metapleural lobes present, sub-
Antennae: 13 segments
triangular, or toothlike, or blunt-rounded
Mandibles: Similar to those of Pristo-
to semicircular.
myrmex
21. Venation (Figs. 6—7) as in alate
Petiole: Without an anterior peduncle
queen.
Forewing: Without m-cu cross-vein;
22. Legs slender; fore tibial spurs pec-
tinate; middle and hind tibiae usually lack- marginal cell closed
ing any spurs but sometimes simple spurs Perissomyrmex
are present. Antennae: ?10 segments
23. Petiole with a long or a rather long Mandibles: Unknown
anterior peduncle. In dorsal view, sides of Petiole: Unknown
petiole subparallel. Petiole node low, lower Forewing: Unknown
than in the conspecific worker and queen; Larva. According to Wheeler and
subpetiole lacking any lamella or toothlike Wheelers (1954, 1960, 1973, 1976) stud-
projection. ies, the larva ofPristomyrmex has the fol-
24. Postpetiole node rather low, lower lowing combination of characters:
than in the conspecific worker and queen. 1. Stout and rather short.
In profile, subpostpetiole usually lacking 2. Head extremely long and narrow.
any projections, but sometiines bearing a 3. Thorax more slender than abdomen
small tooth. and forming a neck, which is cuived ven-
25. Positions of spiracles on propo- trally. Diameter greatest near middle of
deum, petiole, postpetiole, and first gastral abdomen, decreasing gradually toward
seginent similar to those in the conspecific head; posterior end rounded.
worker and queen. 4. Body without tubercles.
392 Bulletin Museum ofComparative Zoology, Vol. 157, No. 6
5. Mandibles subtriangular, without curvulus: sp. n.
medial blade; apical tooth curved medially divisus: sp. n.
and usually acute; subapical medial tooth eduardi: Pristomyrmex eduardi Forel
small. erythropygus: Pristomyrmex ery-
6. Body hairs numerous, with five or six thropygus Taylor
types, including anchor-tipped hairs. Head flatus: sp. n.
hair few, short to moderately long. formosae: Pristomyrmex brevispinosus r.
7. Gula spinulose. sulcatus var. formosae Forel,
8. Anterior surface of labium densely 1912: 54.
spinulose. unavailable name
9. Palps lateral. fossulatus: Tetramorium (Xiphomyr-
Pupa. Not enclosed in cocoons (Wheel- mex)fossulatum Forel
er and Wheeler, 1976). foveolatus: Pristomyrmex foveolatus
Taylor
LIST OF PRISTROMYRMEXHAMES fuscipennis: Myrmica fuscipennis F.
WITH SYNONYMIES
Smith
(Currently valid names are in boldface) hirsutus: sp. n.
acerosus: sp. n. inermis: sp. n.
africanus: Pristomyrtnex africanus japonicus: Pristomyrmexjaponicus Forel
Karavaiev =punctatus
=beni laevigatus: Hylidris laevigatus Weber
=mhomu =orbiceps
=myersi laevis: Solenopsis laevis F. Smith
=primus =umbripennis
aniensis: Pristomyrmex quadridens van largus: sp. n.
aruensis Karavaiev levigatus: Pristomyrmex levigatus
=quadridens Emery
beni: Hijlidris myersi subsp. beni Weber =mendanai syn. n.
=
africanus longispinus: sp. n.
bicolor: stat. n.: Pri.stomyrmex trachy- longus: sp. n.
lissa var. bicolor Emery lucidus: Pristomyrmex lucidus Emery
=taunis syn. n. mandibularis: Pristomyrmex mandi-
bispinosus: Dodous bispinosus Donis- bularis Mann
thoi"pe mbomu: Hylidris myersi subsp. mbomu
boltoni: sp. n. Weber
brevispinosus: Pristomyrmex brevi- =^africanus
spinosus Emery melanoticus: Pristomyrmex obesus
=yaeijamensis syn. n. subsp. melanoticus Mann
brotvni: sp. n. =obesus
castaneicolor: Pristomyrmex castaneico- mendanai: Pristomyrmex mendanai
lor Donisthorpe Mann
=umbripennis =levigatus
castor: Pristomyrmex castor Donis- minusculus: sp. n.
thorpe modestus: sp. n.
=umbripennis myersi: Hylidris myersi Weber
coggii: Pristomyrmex coggii Emery =africanus
collinus: sp. n. nitidissimus: Pristomyrmex nitidissi-
costatus: sp. n. mus Donisthorpe
cribrarius: Pristomyrmex cribrarius obesus: Pristomyrmex obesus Mann
Arnold ^^melanoticus syn. n.