Pristomyrmex coggii

This species occurs in rainforest and has been collected in litter samples and in rotten wood on the ground.

Identification
Wang (2003) - Worker. Masticatory margin of mandible lacking a diastema and possessing four teeth, of which the third tooth, counting from the apex, smallest; eyes with two to four ommatidia in the longest row; dorsal surface of head, except for the scrobal are as, with foveolate-reticulate sculpture; dorsum of petiole node in dorsal view about as long as broad or slightly broader than long; first gastral tergite with only a few hairs.

Pristomyrmex coggii is closely related to Pristomyrmex boltoni and Pristomyrmex longus. The three species occur in New Guinea. Characters separating P. coggii from P. boltoni are provided under the latter name. Pristomyrmex coggii differs from P. longus because the dorsum of the petiole node in dorsal view is about as long as broad or broader than long in the workers of P. coggii but longer than broad in P. longus.

Pristomyrmex coggii differs from Pristomyrmex obesus of Solomon Islands as follows: The workers of P. coggii possess only a few hairs on the first gastral tergite and have smaller eyes containing two to three, rarely four, ommatidia in the longest row. But in the workers of P. obesus, the entire first gastral tergite is evenly covered with erect or suberect hairs, and the eyes contain five to seven (rarely four) ommatidia in the longest row. Pristomyrmex coggii differ from Pristomyrmex simplex of New Guinea and the Philippines because the dorsum of the head between the frontal carinae bears foveolate-reticulate sculpture in the workers of P. coggii but only scattered foveolate punctures in P. simplex; in addition, the eyes usually contain five ommatidia in the longest row in the workers of P. simplex but usually two to three in P. coggii.

A member of the Levigatus species group

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: New Guinea.

Nomenclature

 *  coggii. Pristomyrmex coggii Emery, 1897c: 584 (w.) NEW GUINEA. Wang, M. 2003: 495 (q.).

Worker
Wang (2003) - TL 2.20-2.S6, HL 0.60-0.74, HW 0.60-0.76, CI 9S-104, SL 0.48-0.64, SI 74-S6, EL 0.05-0.09, PW 0.40-0.48, AL 0.60-0.77, PPW 0.16-0.20, PPL 0.12-0.17, PPI 118-133 (n = 20).

Mandibles usually smooth and shining but sometimes with a few superficial longitudinal rugae. A broad and short or strongly prominent tooth present about midway on the basal margin of mandible. Clypeus flat, its anterior margin sometimes with three dentides: a median denticle and one on each side, but sometimes the median denticle absent or weak so that only two teeth are present there. Frontal area concave, with a median carina that usually extends to the clypeus. Ventral center of clypeus lacking any rugae or prominences. Palp formula 1,3. Frontal carinae distinct, extending to the level of the posterior margins of eyes. Scrobal impressions smooth and shallow, present lateral to the frontal carinae. Frontal lobes weakly expanded so that the antennal articulations are almost completely exposed. Eyes small, usually with two to three, rarely four, ommatidia in the longest row. Occipital margin straight or feebly concave in full-face view. Pronotum unarmed. Propodeum with a pair of triangular short spines. Metapleural lobes rounded. Petiole node in profile high, with the anterodorsal angle higher than the posterodorsal, its anterior peduncle about as long as the node. In dorsal view, dorsum of petiole node subrounded, about as long as broad, or trans-oval, slightly broader than long. Subpetiole with a narrow, long, semitranslucent lamella. Postpetiole in profile rounded dorsally, in dorsal view somewhat transverse-rectangular and broader than long. Dorsum of head, except for the scrobal are as, with dense foveolate punctures that form foveolate-reticulate sculpture; sometimes the punctures are almost aligned so that it seems that the several longitudinal rugae appear between the frontal carinae. Dorsum of alitrunk with sparse foveolate punctures. Petiole, postpetiole, and gaster unsculptured, smooth, and shining. Dorsal surfaces of head and alitrunk with numerous erect to suberect hairs. Dorsal surfaces of petiole node and postpetiole usually with two pairs of hairs, respectively. A few hairs present on the base of the first gastral tergite. A few pairs of forward-projecting hairs present near the anterior clypeal margin. Scapes and tibiae with numerous erect to suberect short hairs. Color reddish-brown.

Queen
Wang (2003) - TL 2.94-3.16, HL 0.72- 0.78, HW 0.72-0.82, CI 100-105, SL 0.56-0.66, SI 77-83, EL 0.15-0.17, PW 0.55-0.64, AL 0.78-0.96, PPW 0.21-0.24, PPL 0.17-0.18, PPI 122-133 (n = 3).

Generally similar to worker, except for normal caste differences. In addition, foveolate punctures shallow on the mesonotum, propodeal armaments slightly shorter than those in con specific worker.

Type Material
Wang (2003) - Lectotype worker, New Guinea: Montes Hansemanni et Berlinhafen (Biro), here designated, [examined].