Probolomyrmex procne

Known from a small number of collections of workers, all from India, nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Eguchi et al. (2006) - This species is similar to Probolomyrmex dammermani and Probolomyrmex longinodus, but is well characterized by its petiolar node in dorsal view widened posteriad and ending as paired acute angles posterodorsally in the worker. Sexual forms are unknown.

Brown (1975) - This petiolar form ("seen from above with almost perfectly straight sides diverging caudad and ending in a pair of acute angles, with the posterior border between broadly and rather deeply concave") will readily distinguish the species from all others in the genus.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 *  procne. Probolomyrmex procne Brown, 1975: 56, figs. 8, 10 (w.) INDIA.

Worker
Holotype: TL 2.4, HL 0.58, HW 0.375 (CI 65), scape L 0.40, WL 0.75, pronotal W 0.29, petiolar node L 0.32, petiolar node W 0.21 mm. Head shaped much as in Probolomyrmex dammermani, Probolomyrmex salomonis, and Probolomyrmex greavesi (Taylor 1965) but posterior border less strongly concave even than in P. greavesi (Taylor). Although the head is narrow, the sides are convex. No eyes detected at 50X.

Trunk (=Taylor's “mesosoma”) much as in P. salomonis (Taylor), very feebly but evenly convex from front to rear in side-view outline, and propodeal teeth or angles a little better developed, almost rectangular. Lateral petiolar index (see Taylor, p. 351) about 136, most like that of P. dammermani but the dorsal surface convex behind as well as in front; seen from above with almost perfectly straight sides diverging caudad and ending in a pair of acute angles, with the posterior border between broadly and rather deeply concave. In the 3 previously described species, the node is shorter and has distinctly convex sides as seen from above, and the posterodorsal border is rounded (feebly emarginate in the middle in salomonis) or transverse and nearly straight (greavesi).

Postpetiole (first gastric segment, or true abdominal segment III) fairly robust, as in greavesi, but truncate anteriorly.

Maxillary and labial palpi, as much as can be seen of them, as in P. dammermani. Erect pilosity restricted to a few hairs on the mandibles; sculpture-pubescence of the very fine, opaque “pruinose” kind (50 X), overlain by larger punctures of foveoleae that are particularly distinct on the 2 main gastric segments, where the integument is slightly more shining; the sculpture is like that of P. dammermani, except that the larger punctures are a little larger and more distinct on node and gaster. Color medium ferruginous (or “golden-brown” in Taylor's parlance) with more yellowish antennae and legs.

Type Material
Holotype worker a unique taken by Winkler apparatus (sample no. 20) in the Palni Hills, Madras State, India, 39 km E of Kodaikanal, elevation 650 m, 11 November 1972 by the team of Besuchet, Lobi, and Mussard of MHN—Geneva, in which institution the type is deposited (Forel Collection).

Etymology
P. procne is named after the mythical woman who was changed into a swallow, and hence the swallow itself, because of the dorsal-view shape of the petiole in the ant.