Pristomyrmex nitidissimus

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Wang (2003) - Worker. Pronotum armed with a pair of teeth; dorsal surfaces of head and alitrunk with numerous scattered foveolate punctures; ventral surface of clypeus with a coarse transverse carina; larger size (HL 1.10-1.16, HW 1.22-1.24, and EL 0.24-0.25).

At first glance, P. nitidissimus appears to resemble Pristomyrmex quadridens, but after being compared in detail, the workers of the two species are separable as follows: P. nitidissimus - Ventral surface of clypeus with a coarse transverse ruga, lacking a toothlike prominence. Larger species, with HW 1.22-1.24, HL 1.10-1.16, EL 0.24-0.25. Basal margin of mandible with a central, broadly curved lobe. Four to five pairs of short hairs present on the dorsums of both petiole node and postpetiole. P. quadridens - Ventral center of clypeus with a toothlike prominence. Smaller species, with HW 0.82-1.02, HL 0.82-1.02, EL 0.14-0.20. Basal margin of mandible almost straight, without a distinctly convex lobe. Usually one to two pairs of hairs present on the dorsums of both petiole node and postpetiole.

Key to Pristomyrmex workers

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

Castes
Queen and Male are unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  nitidissimus. Pristomyrmex nitidissimus Donisthorpe, 1949g: 411 (w.) NEW GUINEA. See also: Wang, M. 2003: 453.

Worker
Wang (2003) - TL 4.58, 4.69; HL 1.10, 1.16; HW 1.22, 1.24; CI 107, 111; SL 1.14, 1.16; SI 93, 94; EL 0.24, 0.25; PW 0.75, 0.78; AL 1.20, 1.30 (n = 2).

Mandibles with a few longitudinal rugae. Dentition of the masticatory margin of mandible: the strongest apical + the second strongest preapical + a short diastema + a broad basal tooth showing two minute points (which is formed by the fusion of two basal denticles). Basal margin of mandible with a central, broadly curved lobe. Clypeus with a median longitudinal carina. Anterior clypeal margin with a median denticle and two others on each side. Ventral surface of clypeus with a transverse ridge. Frontal carinae extending to the level of the posterior margins of eyes. Antennal scrobe indistinct, but a smooth area present below the frontal carina. Frontal lobes very weak so that the antennal articulations are almost entirely exposed. Antennal scapes, laid on the dorsal head, slightly surpassing the occipital margin of head. Eyes large. Pronotum armed with a pair of teeth. Propodeum with a pair of subtriangular short spines that are slightly longer than the pronotal teeth. Metapleural lobes each with a subtriangular apex. Petiole node with a fairly long anterior peduncle, in dorsal view longer than broad. Postpetiole in profile rounded dorsally, in dorsal view slightly longer than broad. Dorsum of head with numerous rather large, scattered foveolate punctures; space between foveolae usually smooth. Similar foveolate punctures pre sent on the dorsal surface of alitrunk, but promesonotum with a smooth, unsculptured median strip. Petiole, postpetiole, and gaster smooth and shining. Dorsal surfaces of head, alitrunk, petiole node, and postpetiole with numerous erect or suberect hairs. First gastral tergite lacking erect or suberect hairs. A few pairs of forward-projecting hairs present near the anterior clypeal margin. Scapes and tibiae with some erect to suberect short hairs. Color blackish-brown.

Type Material
Holotype worker, New Guinea: Maffin Bay, ix.1944 (E. S. Ross) [examined].