Pristomyrmex umbripennis

AntWiki: The Ants --- Online
Pristomyrmex umbripennis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Tribe: Crematogastrini
Genus: Pristomyrmex
Species: P. umbripennis
Binomial name
Pristomyrmex umbripennis
(Smith, F., 1863)

Pristomyrmex umbripennis casent0010664 profile 1.jpg

Pristomyrmex umbripennis casent0010664 dorsal 1.jpg

Specimen labels

Synonyms

This species occurs in rainforest and has been collected in and on rotten logs and under loose bark of a log.

Identification

Wang (2003) - Worker. Masticatory margin of mandible with four teeth (an apical + a preapical + two broad-based short teeth of similar size), lacking a distinct diastema; eyes generally with six to seven (rarely five) ommatidia in the longest row; propodeum with a pair of elongate triangular teeth.

It is closely related to Pristomyrmex pollux and Pristomyrmex picteti, but their workers and queens can be separated by the following characters: P. umbripennis- Eyes larger, generally consisting of 20 or more ommatidia and containing six to seven (rarely five) ommatidia in the longest row (worker). Propodeum with a pair of triangular toothlike armaments that are shorter than the distance between their bases (worker and queen) . One-third to one-half of the antennal scape usually laterally compressed near the base (worker and queen). P. pollux and P. picteti - Eyes smaller, generally consisting of 10 or less ommatidia, and containing two to three (rarely four) ommatidia in the longest row (worker). Propodeum with a pair of fairly long or long spines that are longer (or much longer) than the distance between their bases (worker) or with a pair of short spines (queen). Antennal scape not laterally compressed near the base (worker and queen).

A member of the Umbripennis species group

Keys including this Species

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -0.93333° to -9.25°.

 
North
Temperate
North
Subtropical
Tropical South
Subtropical
South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Indo-Australian Region: Indonesia (type locality), New Guinea.

Distribution based on AntMaps

AntMapLegend.png

Distribution based on AntWeb specimens

Check data from AntWeb

Countries Occupied

Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species.
pChart

Estimated Abundance

Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species.
pChart

Biology

Explore-icon.png Explore Overview of Pristomyrmex biology 
The biology of most Pristomyrmex species is poorly known. From Wang (2003): Most species of Pristomyrmex dwell in the rainforest, foraging as predators or scavengers. An Asian species, Pristomyrmex punctatus, however, occurs in open and disturbed habitats (e.g., bare hills, agricultural areas, and beaches). These ants prefer to nest in soil, litter, or rotten wood; in rotten parts of living trees; in dead standing trees; or around plant roots.

Pristomyrmex is of great interest because it exhibits several unusual biological and evolutionary phenomena. The absence of morphologically normal queens and reproduction primarily by unmated workers in P. punctatus {=P. pungens) is a highly unusual life history in the Formicidae. Ergatoid queens, a special wingless female caste morphologically intermediate between the queen and the worker, are present in at least four species: Pristomyrmex punctatus, Pristomyrmex africanus, Pristomyrmex wheeleri, and Pristomyrmex mandibularis; two of them (P. africanus and P. wheeleri) possess both queen and ergatoid queen castes.

Simulating death, slowness of movement, and nocturnal foraging has been recorded in Pristomyrmex (Donisthorpe, 1946; Taylor, 1965; Weber, 1941). Colony size varies greatly among species, ranging from about a dozen to several thousand workers (Donisthorpe, 1946; Itow et al, 1984; Mann, 1919; Taylor, 1965, 1968). ‎

Castes

Worker

Images from AntWeb

Pristomyrmex umbripennis castype06994 head 1.jpgPristomyrmex umbripennis castype06994 profile 1.jpgPristomyrmex umbripennis castype06994 dorsal 1.jpgPristomyrmex umbripennis castype06994 label 1.jpg
Syntype of Pristomyrmex castaneicolorWorker. Specimen code castype06994. Photographer April Nobile, uploaded by California Academy of Sciences. Owned by CAS, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Nomenclature

The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.

  • umbripennis. Myrmica umbripennis Smith, F. 1863: 21 (q.) INDONESIA (Misool I.). Combination in Pristomyrmex: Donisthorpe, 1932c: 471. Senior synonym of castaneicolor, castor, laevis, parumpunctatus: Wang, M. 2003: 525.
  • laevis. Solenopsis laevis Smith, F. 1865: 75 (w.) INDONESIA (Morotai I.). Combination in Pheidologeton: Emery, 1924d: 213; in Pristomyrmex: Donisthorpe, 1932c: 473. Junior synonym of umbripennis: Wang, M. 2003: 525.
  • parumpunctatus. Pristomyrmex parumpunctatus Emery, 1887b: 452 (w.q.) NEW GUINEA. Junior synonym of umbripennis: Wang, M. 2003: 525.
  • castor. Pristomyrmex castor Donisthorpe, 1944d: 81 (q.m.) NEW GUINEA. Junior synonym of umbripennis: Wang, M. 2003: 525.
  • castaneicolor. Pristomyrmex castaneicolor Donisthorpe, 1949g: 412 (w.) NEW GUINEA. Junior synonym of umbripennis: Wang, M. 2003: 525.

Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.

Description

Worker

Wang (2003) - TL 5.48-7.06, HL 1.32-1.68, HW 1.30-1.74, CI 98-109, SL 1.20-1.52, SI 81-92, EL 0.12-0.18, PW 0.86-1.16, AL l.46-l.88, PPW 0.33- 0.47, PPL 0.32-0.44, PPI 103-113 (n = 52).

Mandibles with a few longitudinal rugae that often reach to the masticatory margin. Basal margin of mandible with a central, broadly curved prominence. Clypeus smooth and shining with a strong median longitudinal carina. Anterior clypeal margin usually with seven denticles: a median denticle and three others on each side; sometimes one to two lateral denticles are indistinct; sometimes, two lateral denticles are fused into a broad lobe. Ventral surface of clypeus with a coarse transverse ridge. Palp formula 1,3. Frontal carinae extending to the level of the posterior margins of eyes. Antennal scrobes absent. Frontal lobes present, partially covering the condylar bulbs of holding antennal scapes. One third to one half of the antennal scapes usually laterally compressed near the bases. Antennal scapes, when lying on the dorsal head, just beyond the occipital margin. Lamella encircling the base of the antennal scape with a broad and deep notch on the center of the dorsal surface. Eyes gene rally containing more than 20 (rarely 15) ommatidia, with six to seven (rarely five) in the longest row. Occipital margin straight or feebly concave in full-face view. Alitrunk, in profile, with a convex dorsum, in dorsal view without any sutures. Pronotum unarmed. Propodeum with a pair of slightly elongate triangular teeth. Metapleural lobes prominent and rounded. Petiole node in profile longer than high with a long anterior peduncle; its anterodorsal angle is on approximately the same level as the posterodorsal. Subpetiole with a narrow, semitranslucent lamella. Postpetiole in profile higher than long, rounded dorsally, in dorsal view slightly broadening from front to back. Dorsal surfaces of head and alitrunk and the sides of pronotum with scattered foveolate punctures, varying from shallow, small, and few to distinct, rather large and many; space between foveolae usually smooth. Petiole, postpetiole, and gaster smooth and shining. Dorsal surfaces of head and alitrunk with some erect or suberect short hairs. Usually two to three pairs of hairs present on the dorsal surfaces of petiole node and postpetiole, respectively. A row of forward-projecting hairs present near the anterior clypeal margin. Scapes and tibiae with numerous suberect short hairs. First gastral tergite lacking erect or suberect hairs. Color reddish-brown, but the masticatory margin of mandible black-brown.

Queen

Wang (2003) - TL 8.00-8.25, HL 1.80-2.02, HW 2.00-2.25, CI 99-118, SL 1.52-1.6.5, SI 73-79, EL 0.40-0.42, PW 1.50-1.60, AL 2.26-2.40, PPW 0.52-0.52, PPL 0.48-0.50, PPI 104-108 (n = 4).

General shape with normal caste differences from the conspecific worker; propodeal armaments toothlike; other characters similar to worker.

Male

Wang (2003) - A single male specimen (BMNH), collected in Papua (Kokoda, 1,200 ft) by L. E. Cheeman in August 1933, has the following measurements: TL ca. 6.04, HL 0.94, HW 0.98, CI 104, SL 0.3.5, SI 36, EL 0.47, P\;V 1.28, AL 1.98.

Head, including the eyes, distinctly broader than long. Clypeus narrow, transverse, convex in the middle, its anterior margin almost straight. Frontal carinae short. Eyes large and prominent. On the mesoscutum, notauli rather wide, forming a Y shape with several coarse rugae. Scutoscutellar sulcus wide, separated into small cells by longitudinal ridges. Propodeum armed with a pair of strong triangular teeth. Metapleural lobes rounded. Petiole node in profile low, distinctly longer than high, with a long anterior peduncle. Postpetiole in profile slightly longer than high and rounded dorsally. Dorsum of head behind the level of the posterior margins of eyes with some foveolate-reticulate sculpture, but the centrical disc of the dorsal head, under the median ocellus, smooth and shining. Each side of the dorsal head, between the eye and the frontal carina, with several transverse rugae; spaces between the rugae smooth and shining. Promesonotum with somewhat coarse foveolate-reticulate sculpture. Sides of petiole node with foveolate-reticulate sculpture. Postpetiole rather smooth, only with few superficial short rugae on each side. Gaster unsculptured, smooth, and shining. Body blackish-brown, but gaster and scapes reddish-brown.

Type Material

The following notes on F. Smith type specimens have been provided by Barry Bolton (details):

Myrmica umbripennis

Holotype queen in Oxford University Museum of Natural History. Labelled “M” (= Misool I.).

Solenopsis laevis

Holotype worker in Oxford University Museum of Natural History. Labelled “M.” (= Morotai I.). Three other specimens, labelled “Morty Isld” are also present in Oxford University Museum of Natural History, but these appear to originate in a different series from the holotype. In addition, three more workers from this series are in The Natural History Museum.

Wang (2003) - Holotype queen, Indonesia: Mysol (A. R. Wallace) (Oxford University Museum of Natural History) [examined].

Solenopsis laevis Holotype worker, Indonesia: Morty Island (A. R. Wallace) (OXUM) [examined].

Pristomyrmex parumpunctatus Lectotype worker, New Guinea: Andai (L. M. D'Albertis) (Museo Civico di Storia Naturale, Genoa), here designated, [examined].

Pristomyrmex castor Lectotype queen, New Guinea: Papua, Kokoda, 1,200 ft, x.1933 (L. E. Cheesman) (BMNH), here designated, [examined].

Pristomyrmex castaneicolor Syntype workers, New Guinea: Maffin Bay, ix-1944 (E. S. Ross) (BMNH, California Academy of Sciences, Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, Museum of Comparative Zoology, National Museum of Natural History) [examined].

Description

References

  • Donisthorpe, H. 1932c. On the identity of Smith's types of Formicidae (Hymenoptera) collected by Alfred Russell Wallace in the Malay Archipelago, with descriptions of two new species. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 10(10): 441-476 (page 471, Combination in Pristomyrmex)
  • Smith, F. 1863a. Catalogue of hymenopterous insects collected by Mr. A. R. Wallace in the islands of Mysol, Ceram, Waigiou, Bouru and Timor. J. Proc. Linn. Soc. Lond. Zool. 7: 6-48 (page 21, queen described)
  • Wang, M. 2003. A Monographic Revision of the Ant Genus Pristomyrmex (Hymenoptera:Formicidae). Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 157(6): 383-542 (page 525, figs. 257-260 worker, queen, male described, Senior synonym of laevis, parumpunctatus, castor, and castaneicolor)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

  • CSIRO Collection
  • Donisthorpe H. 1944. Two new species of Pristomyrmex Mayr (Hym. Formicidae), with some notes on the genus. Proceedings of the Royal Entomological Society of London. Series B 13: 81-84.
  • Donisthorpe H. 1949. A seventh instalment of the Ross Collection of ants from New Guinea. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (12)2: 401-422.
  • Emery C. 1887. Catalogo delle formiche esistenti nelle collezioni del Museo Civico di Genova. Parte terza. Formiche della regione Indo-Malese e dell'Australia (continuazione e fine). [concl.]. Ann. Mus. Civ. Stor. Nat. 25(5): 427-473.
  • Emery C. 1893. Formicides de l'Archipel Malais. Revue Suisse de Zoologie 1: 187-229.
  • Emery C. 1911. Formicidae. Résultats de l'expédition scientifique néerlandaise à la Nouvelle-Guinée en 1903 sous les auspices de Arthur Wichmann. Nova Guinea 5: 531-539.
  • Emery, C. "Catalogo delle formiche esistenti nelle collezioni del Museo Civico di Genova. Parte terza. Formiche della regione Indo-Malese e dell'Australia (continuazione e fine)." Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale Giacomo Doria (Genova) (2) 5, no. 25 (1887): 427-473.
  • Janda M., G. D. Alpert, M. L. Borowiec, E. P. Economo, P. Klimes, E. Sarnat, and S. O. Shattuck. 2011. Cheklist of ants described and recorded from New Guinea and associated islands. Available on http://www.newguineants.org/. Accessed on 24th Feb. 2011.
  • Smith F. 1863. Catalogue of hymenopterous insects collected by Mr. A. R. Wallace in the islands of Mysol, Ceram, Waigiou, Bouru and Timor. Journal and Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London. Zoology 7: 6-48.
  • Smith F. 1865. Descriptions of new species of hymenopterous insects from the islands of Sumatra, Sula, Gilolo, Salwatty, and New Guinea, collected by Mr. A. R. Wallace. Journal and Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London. Zoology 8: 61-94.
  • Snelling R. R. 2000. Ants of the Wapoga river area, Irian Jaya, Indonesia. In Mack, Andrew L. and Leeanne E. Alonso (eds.). 2000. A Biological Assessment of the Wapoga River Area of Northwestern Irian Jaya, Indonesia. RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment 14, Conservation International, Washington, DC.
  • Stitz H. 1938. Neue Ameisen aus dem indo-malayischen Gebiet. Sitzungsber. Ges. Naturforsch. Freunde Berl. 1938: 99-122.
  • Viehmeyer H. 1912. Ameisen aus Deutsch Neuguinea gesammelt von Dr. O. Schlaginhaufen. Nebst einem Verzeichnisse der papuanischen Arten. Abhandlungen und Berichte des Königlichen Zoologischen und Anthropologische-Ethnographischen Museums zu Dresden 14: 1-26.
  • Viehmeyer H. 1913. Ameisen aus dem Kopal von Celebes. Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung 74: 141-155.
  • Wang M. 2003. A Monographic Revision of the Ant Genus Pristomyrmex (Hymenoptera:Formicidae). Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 157(6): 383-542.
  • Wang M. 2003. A monographic revision of the ant genus Pristomyrmex (Hymenoptera:Formicidae). Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 157(6):383-542