Pristomyrmex divisus

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Wang (2003) - Lateral portions of clypeus in front of antennal fossae, developed, not reduced to margins, so that the antennal fossae are placed well behind the anterior clypeal margin; dorsal head only with scattered foveolate punctures.

Its closest relative is Pristomyrmex pulcher; from Malaysia. The workers of two species share the following three characters that are not seen in the other three members of the punctatus group (Pristomyrmex punctatus, Pristomyrmex rigidus, and Pristomyrmex fossulatus): (1) lateral portions of clypeus, in front of the antennal fossae, developd, making the antennal fossae well behind the anterior clypeal margins; (2) anterior clypeal margin lacking distinct denticles; and (3) the median portion of clypeus not flat but somewhat concave. In the workers of P. punctatus, P. rigidus, and P. fossulatus, the anterior clypeal margin is equipped with five to seven denticles, and the lateral portions of clypeus in front of the antennal fossae are reduced to margins (in other words, the antennal fossae reach the lateral anterior margins of clypeus), and the median portion of clypeus is more or less flat.

The workers of P. divisus are easily separated from those of P. pulcher. The cephalic dorsum shows rugoreticulum in P. pulcher but scattered foveolate punctures in P. divisus; the frontal carinae do extend to the level of the posterior margins of eyes in P. pulcher but not so in P. divisus; a pronounced median longitudinal furrow is present on the dorsal surface of alitrunk in P. divisus but absent in P. pulcher.

A member of the Punctatus species group / Key to Pristomyrmex workers

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

Nomenclature

 *  divisus. Pristomyrmex divisus Wang, M. 2003: 404, figs. 83, 84 (w.) PHILIPPINES.

Worker
Holotype. TL 3.06, HL 0.76, HW 0.80, CI 105, SL 0.82, SI 103, EL 0.22, PW 0.56, AL 0.74. Paratypes, 35 workers.

Worker. TL 3.06-3.40, HL 0.72-0.82, HW 0.74-0.86, CI 98-111, SL 0.78-0.90, SI 98-110, EL 0.21-0.24, PW 0.53-0.64, AL 0.72-0.80, PPW 0.26-0.30, PPL 0.18-0.22, PPI 123-156 (n = 20).

Mandibles with a few longitudinal rugae but smooth near the masticatory margin. Dentition of the masticatory margin of mandible: the strongest apical tooth + the second strongest preapical + a long diastema + a broad, truncated basal tooth (or two minute denticles). A weak minute prominence present about midway on the basal margin of mandible. Clypeus with a strong median longitudinal carina extending through the frontal area; on each side of the median clypeal carina, a few additional rugae are usually present. Anterior clypeal margin lacking denticles. Median portion of clypeus higher than frontal area; lateral portions of clypeus developed, not reduced to margins. Ventral surface of clypeus lacking any toothlike prominences but usually with a few rugae. Palp formula 5,3. Frontal carinae short, not extending to the level of the posterior margins of eyes. Antennal scrobes absent. Frontal lobes absent; thus, the antennal articulations are completely exposed. Antennal scapes, when lying on the dorsal head, surpassing the occipital margin of head by one-sixth to one-fifth of their length. Eyes large and prominent, containing 8 to 10 ommatidia in the longest row. Dorsum of alitrunk in dorsal view marginated, more or less depressed, and usually with a deep longitudinal furrow at middle. Pronotum unarmed. Propodeal spines well developed, acute and long, much longer than the distance between their bases. Metapleural lobes small, dentiform, and acute. Petiole in profile with a long peduncle; dorsum of peduncle, together with the anterior face of petiole node, forming a long declivity that reaches the top of petiole node. Ventral surface of petiole lacking any process. Postpetiole in profile with a convex dorsum, in dorsal view somewhat transverse-rectangular and much broader than long. Dorsum of head with numerous large and shallow foveolate punctures; space between foveolae smooth; ventral head with denser foveolate punctures. Dorsal surface of alitrunk with reticulate rugae. Petiole always, and postpetiole usually, with a coarse longitudinal ridge on each side. In dorsal view, petiole node and postpetiole each usually bounded by a rim; dorsums of both petiole and postpetiole, except for rims, very smooth and polished. Gaster unsculptured. Dorsal surfaces of head and alitrunk with numerous erect to suberect short hairs. A pair of hairs present, respectively, near the top of both petiole node and postpetiole. First gastral tergite without hairs. Two or three pairs of long, forward-projecting hairs present near the anterior clypeal margin. Scapes and tibiae with some erect to suberect short hairs. Color uniform reddish-brown; appendages sometimes slightly lighter.

Type Material
Holotype Worker. . Philippines: Dumaguete, 1949, J. W. Chapman. Paratypes. (MCZC,, , ). 18 workers with same data as holotype; 14 workers, Philippines: Dumaguete (J. W. Chapman); three workers, Philippines: Dumaguete, Silliman University, 9.v.1949 (Domingo Empeso).