Prionopelta media, Shattuck, S. O., 2008

Shattuck, S. O., 2008, Revision of the ant genus Prionopelta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Indo-Pacific region., Zootaxa 1846, pp. 21-34 : 27-29

Prionopelta media sp. n.

(Figs 6-7, 11-13)

Types. Holotype worker from Manokwari, Gn. Meja, c. 300m, Irian Jaya, Indonesia, A. Riedel, 22-23 Sept. 1990 ( ANIC, ANIC 32-023665).

Diagnosis. Anterolateral corners of head, near mandibular insertions, rounded. Dorsal mesosomal sculpturing composed of widely spaced foveae which are only slightly more dense on the pronotum than on the mesonotum and propodeum, and which are uniformly distributed across the width of the propodeum. Body small, head less than 0.48mm, petiole narrow, PetW less than 0.20.

Description. Anterolateral corners of head, near mandibular insertions, rounded and lacking a tooth. Dorsal pronotal sculpturing consisting of widely spaced foveae which are only slightly more dense than on the mesonotum and propodeum. Foveae on dorsum of propodeum uniformly distributed across its width. Lateral mesosomal sculpturing consisting of small foveae on pronotum and anterior and ventral region of mesopleuron, dorsal region of mesopleuron and majority of propodeum smooth. Very small fenestra present within subpetiolar process. Colour yellow.

Measurements. (holotype) CI 78; HL 0.46; HW 0.36; ML 0.54; PetL 0.15; PetW 0.19; PI 127; SI 67; SL 0.25; T 1W 0.30.

Comments. This species is morphologically intermediate between P. kraepelini and P. opaca . The colour is pale yellow as in some kraepelini while the sculpturing is similar to opaca (large, widely spaced punctations). However, this combination of characters, as well as the shape of the petiole (Fig. 6), is unique and suggests that this is a distinct species separate from others in the genus. This species is currently only known from the holotype.