Pristomyrmex reticulatus

Described and only known from a male holotype, nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Wang (2003) - This species, described from a single male, belongs to the umbripennis group because it is very similar to the males of Pristomyrmex picteti, Pristomyrmex pollux, and Pristomyrmex umbripennis in the structure and shape of propodeal spines and petiole and in body size, sculpture and hairs.

This male differs from the males of the other three species (P. pollux, P. umbripennis, and P. picteti) of the umbripennis group as follows: In P. pollux, the head, in full-face view, is rather narrow and long (CI = 80) with numerous small foveolate punctures; the mesoscutum possesses some scattered, small and shallow foveolate punctures; the postpetiole in dorsal view is distinctly longer than broad. But in P. reticulatus, CI is 101, the dorsal head and the mesonotum have a developed rugoreticulum, and the postpetiole in dorsal view is subquadrate.

The male of P. umbripennis is larger (HL 0.94, HW 0.98, EL 0.47, PW 1.28, AL 1.98, and TL 6.04) than that of Pristomyrmex reticulatus. In addition, the dorsum of the head between the eyes is sculptured with a rugoreticulum in P. reticulatus but is rather smooth in P. umbripennis. The male of P. picteti possesses a few to some small foveolate punctures on the dorsal surfaces of the head and the mesonotum, in contrast with a rugoreticulum in P. reticulatus.

Whether P. reticulatus represents the male of Pristomyrmex fuscipennis is so far unknown. Thus, P. reticulatus is tentatively maintained as a valid species until enough evidence is obtained.

A member of the Umbripennis species group

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

Nomenclature

 *  reticulatus. Pristomyrmex reticulatus Donisthorpe, 1949c: 750 (m.) NEW GUINEA. See also: Wang, M. 2003: 524.

Male
TL 4.86, HL 0.82, HW 0.83, CI 101, SL 0.34, SI 41, EL 0.38, PW 1.04, AL 1.64 (n = 1).

Head, including the eyes, distinctly broader than long. Clypeus convex in middle; its anterior margin transverse. On the mesoscutum, notauli forming a Y shape, with several transverse rugae. Scuto-scutellar sulcus wide, separated into small cells by several longitudinal ridges. Propodeum armed with a pair of fairly long spines. Metapleural lobes somewhat rounded. Petiole node in profile longer than high with a long anterior peduncle. Postpetiole in profile rounded dorsally, in dorsal view subquadrate. Dorsum of head with a developed rugoreticulum, except for a narrow, long median strip that is smooth and unsculptured. Clypeus with some longitudinal rugae. Promesonotum with strongly developed rugoreticulum. Sides of petiole with rugoreticulum. Sides of postpetiole with a few longitudinal rugae as well as a few superficial foveolate punctures between them. Gaster unsculptured, smooth, and shining. All dorsal surfaces with numerous long hairs; hairs stiff on the head and alitrunk. Body and hairs blackish-brown; wings dusky.

Type Material
Wang (2003) - Holotype male, New Guinea: Finschhafen, 27.iv. 1944 (E. S. Ross) [examined].