Probolomyrmex simplex

Probolomyrmex simplex
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Proceratiinae
Tribe:	Probolomyrmecini
Genus:	Probolomyrmex
Species:	P. simplex
Binomial name
Probolomyrmex simplex Shattuck, Gunawardene & Heterick, 2012 Specimen labels

This species is presently known from a single small collection made many years ago in Northern Province, Papua New Guinea.

Identification

Petiolar node relatively long and narrow (best viewed dorsally), the dorsal face (in side view) uniformly convex and without a separation of the anterior and dorsal faces; posterior projection of the subpetiolar process in the form of a blunt tooth.

Probolomyrmex simplex is similar to the Australian species Probolomyrmex aliundus, Probolomyrmex salomonis from the Solomon Islands and the Malaysian Probolomyrmex maryatiae. It differs from P. aliundus in being smaller (HL < 0.59mm vs. > 0.59mm, HW < 0.38mm vs. > 0.38mm), having more strongly developed foveae and in having the posteroventral tooth of the subpetiolar process tooth-like rather than angular. It can be separated from P. salomonis in having the anteroventral tooth of the subpetiolar process narrow and tooth-like rather than broadly rounded, having relatively well developed lateral flanges on the posterior face of propodeum and in having the foveae on the mesosoma and gaster weakly rather than strongly developed. It differs from P. maryatiae in that the posterodorsal margin of the petiole in dorsal view is straight to weakly convex rather than concave as in P. maryatiae and in having the posterior face of the petiolar node in lateral view is much less convex.

Keys including this Species

• Key to Australian and Melanesian Probolomyrmex species

Distribution

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Indo-Australian Region: New Guinea.

Distribution based on AntMaps

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.

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.

Nomenclature

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

• simplex. Probolomyrmex simplex Shattuck, Gunawardene & Heterick, 2012: 47, fig. 6 (w.) NEW GUINEA (Papua New Guinea).
  • Type-material: holotype worker, 4 paratype workers.
  • Type-locality: Papua New Guinea: Northern Dist., Popondetta, 15.ii.1972 (P.M. Room); paratypes with same data.
  • Type-depository: ANIC.
  • Distribution: Papua New Guinea.

Type Material

• Holotype, worker, Popondetta, Northern District, Papua New Guinea, 8°46′0″S 148°14′0″E, 15 Feb. 1972, P.M. Room, ANIC32-028437, Australian National Insect Collection.
• Paratype, 4 workers, Popondetta, Northern District, Papua New Guinea, 8°46′0″S 148°14′0″E, 15 Feb. 1972, P.M. Room, ANIC32-028436, ANIC32-028438, ANIC32-028439, ANIC32-028440, Australian National Insect Collection.

Description

Worker description. Body ferruginous brown. Head in full-face view with weakly convex sides and weakly concave posterior margin. Eyes absent. Antennae relatively long. Dorsal outline of mesosoma essentially straight, the pronotum curving downwards slightly and the propodeal dorsum raised slightly; posterior margin of propodeal dorsum in dorsal view straight; posterior face of propodeum margined laterally with a well-developed, thin, translucent lamella. Petiole including subpetiolar process approximately as long as high, its dorsal surface in profile forming a relatively gentle and uniform curve with only a slightly stronger curve near the border of the anterior and posterior faces; subpetiolar process with conspicuous anteroventral and posteroventral projections, both in the form of a blunt tooth. Abdominal segment III (gastral segment I) in profile narrowed anteriorly, broadest near its posterior margin, the ventral surface uniformly convex.

Measurements. Worker (n=4)—CI 62–64; DPetW 0.16–0.17; HL 0.57–0.59; HTL 0.35–0.38; HW 0.35–0.38; LPetI 104–108; ML 0.73–0.79; PetH 0.24–0.26; PetNL 0.26–0.27; PronW 0.28–0.29; SI 96–102; SL 0.35–0.37

References

• Shattuck, S.O., Gunawardene, N.G. & Heterick, B. 2012. A revision of the ant genus Probolomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Proceratiinae) in Australia and Melanesia. Zootaxa 3444: 40–50.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

• Shattuck S. O., N. R. Gunawardene, and B. Heterick. 2012. A revision of the ant genus Probolomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Proceratiinae) in Australia and Melanesia. Zootaxa 3444: 40-50.