Odontomachus gressitti Wilson, 1959

Wilson EO, 1959, Studies on the ant fauna of Melanesia V. The tribe Odontomachini., Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 120, pp. 483-510 : 492-493

Odontomachus gressitti Wilson , n. sp.

(Fig. 4, no. 8)

Diagnosis. A small, slender species belonging to the saevissimus group and most closely resembling papuanus Emery . It differs from papuanus by its distinctive coloration, presence of transverse striae on the anterodorsal face of the petiolar node, and more slender petiolar spine. It bears a superficial resemblance to linae Donisthorpe but differs markedly from that species in its smaller size, distinctive coloration, and "papuanustype " petiolar node.

Holotype worker. HW 2.16 mm, HL 3.48 mm, SL 3.43 mm, PW 1.35 mm, length of petiolar node Ï.00 mm, distance from posterior margin of petiolar spiracle to tip of petiolar spine 1.42 mm.

Cephalic striae entirely limited to frontal lobes and interocular depression ; remainder of head entirely smooth and shining. Entire alitrunk transversely striate, the striae becoming very weak in the center of the pronotum and even failing entirely in a limited area just 1.32 mm posterior to the anterior margin of the pronotal “neck.” Entire anterodorsal and lateral faces of petiolar node, exclusive of the spine and most of its supporting cone, transversely striate. Gaster completely smooth and shining.

Head and gaster dark reddish brown. Pronotal “neck,” posterior margin of pronotum, entire mesonotum, and propodeal dorsum posterior to the level of the propodeal spiracles medium reddish brown. All of these areas contrast with the remainder of the alitrunk and the petiole, which are a much lighter shade of brownish yellow.

Type locality. Nondugl, 1750 m., Ahi Valley, N-E. New Guinea (J. L. Gressitt). The single worker from this locality has been returned to Dr. Gressitt for deposit in the B. P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu.

Paratype worker. A single worker from Gold Ridge-to-Suta (Jonapau), 1100 m., Guadalcanal (Gressitt) has been determined as this species. It differs from the holotype in its overall much lighter coloration (body light brownish yellow, the pronotal neck and mesonotum a shade darker than the rest), slightly thicker petiolar spine, and presence of numerous oblique hairs on the spine and cone (standing hairs completely lacking in holotype). Further collecting may show the Solomons form to rank as a distinct species. The single Solomons specimen has been deposited in the Museum of Comparative Zoology.