Technomyrmex prevaricus

The holotype was collected from a malaise trap in lowland secondary rainforest.

Identification
Bolton (2007) - A member of the T. cheesmanae complex in the Technomyrmex albipes group. T. prevaricus is related to two other New Guinea species that have numerous setae on the dorsum of the head, Technomyrmex cheesmanae and Technomyrmex albicoxis. However, both of these species lack setae across the posterior margin of the head and are very differently coloured. In addition, cheesmanae has its longest pair of cephalic setae just anterior to the posterior margin, and these are longer than the maximum diameter of the eye; and in albicoxis the scapes are considerably longer, SI 117 - 121.

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

Nomenclature

 *  prevaricus. Technomyrmex prevaricus Bolton, 2007a: 97 (w.) NEW GUINEA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 3.2, HL 0.69, HW 0.64, SL 0.65, PW 0.44, WL 0.92. Indices: CI 93, SI 102, OI 28, EPI 73, DTI 132.

Frontal carina with 2 setae that are the longest on the dorsum of the head: in profile the anterior of these is at the torulus and the posterior is at the level of the anterior margin of the eye and is slightly shorter than the maximum diameter of the eye. Dorsum of head from this seta with 6 - 7 pairs of shorter setae to the posterior margin; posterior margin itself with 6 - 8 setae across its width. Anterior clypeal margin almost transverse medially, with only a vestigial trace of concavity. Posterior margin of head in full-face view shallowly concave medially. Sides of head shallowly convex and the outer margins of the eyes just break the outline of the sides in full-face view. Sculpture of dorsal head reduced to small superficial punctulae or faint superficial reticulation, not the usual microreticulate-shagreenate sculpture characteristic of the group. With mesosoma in profile the mesonotal outline is curved, without a distinct step or angle in the outline that defines conspicuous dorsal and declivitous faces. Propodeal dorsum in profile convex and curves evenly into the declivity. Number of setal pairs on mesosoma: pronotum 4; mesonotum 3, one anterior, one median and one posterior; propodeal dorsum with a few minute setae where the dorsum curves into the declivity; lateral margins of propodeal declivity 1, long, only slightly shorter than the maximum diameter of the eye. Gastral tergites 1 - 4 each with numerous setae all over the sclerites, the longest on the first gastral tergite slightlv longer than the maximum diameter of the eye. Sculpture on first gastral tergite reduced and superficial. Head dark brown, mesosoma light brown, gaster blackish brown. Coxae about the same colour as the mesosoma or slightly lighter, femora and tibiae brown, tarsi slightly lighter than tibiae.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Indonesia: Irian Jaya, PT. Freeport Concession, Siewa camp, 03.04 S, 1 36.38°E, 200 ft, 18-30.iv.l998, Malaise trap, lowl. secondary rainforest (R. R. Snelling).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton B. 2007. Taxonomy of the dolichoderine ant genus Technomyrmex Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Contributions of the American Entomological Institute 35(1): 1-150.
 * Bolton, B. "Taxonomy of the dolichoderine ant genus Technomyrmex Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste." Contributions of the American Entomological Institute 35, no. 1 (2007): 1-149.
 * Janda M., G. D. Alpert, M. L. Borowiec, E. P. Economo, P. Klimes, E. Sarnat, and S. O. Shattuck. 2011. Cheklist of ants described and recorded from New Guinea and associated islands. Available on http://www.newguineants.org/. Accessed on 24th Feb. 2011.