Review of Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae) of Australia, Borneo, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands with descriptions of new species

2006·23.8 MB·English

by  Rudolf J Kohout

REVIEW OF POLYRHACHIS (CYRTOMYRMA) FOREL (HYMENOPTERA:
FORMICIDAE: FORMICINAE) OF AUSTRALIA, BORNEO, NEW GUINEA
AND THE SOLOMON ISLANDS WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES
RUDOLF J. KOHOUT
Kohout, R.J. 2006 II 10: Review of Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) Forel (Hymenoptera:
Formicidae: Formicinac) of Australia, Borneo, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands
with descriptions of new species. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 52(1): 87-146.
Brisbane. ISSN 0079-8835.
Thirty new' species of the subgenus Cyrtomyrma are described, including nine from
Australia: P. abbreviata sp. nov., P. brevinoda sp. nov., P. decumbens sp. nov., P delecta sp.
nov., P expressa sp. nov., P hoelldobleri sp. nov., P monteithi sp. nov., P mbsoni sp. nov. and
P. rutila sp. nov.; six from Borneo: P achterbergi sp. nov., P. bruehli sp. nov., P danum sp.
nov., P. lepida sp. nov.. P. sulang sp. nov, and P. widodoi sp. nov.; twelve from New Guinea:
P. aporema sp. nov., P. barry i sp. nov., P. conspicua sp. nov., P dorsena sp. nov., P hybosa
sp. nov., P inducta sp. nov., P inflata sp. nov., P. Integra sp. nov., P. kyawthani sp. nov., P
sedlaeeki sp. nov., P. strumosa sp. nov. and P. tubemsa sp. nov., and three from the Solomon
Islands: P. pacifica sp. nov., P setosa sp. nov. and P undulata sp. nov. Seven subspecies, P.
laevissima aruensis Viehmeyer, P rastellata celebensis Viehmeyer, P. rastellata corporaali
Santschi, P. rastellata fu/akora Mann, P. rastellata johnsoni Mann, P rastellata nomo
Donisthorpe and P rastellata semiinermis Donisthorpc are raised to specific status. A
neotype of/! australis is designated. Two species, P rastellata (Latreille) and P debilis
Emery, previously listed from Australia, apparently do not occur there. Checklists and
identification keys to the Cyrtomyrma species of Australia, Borneo, New' Guinea and the
Solomon Islands are provided. All the new species are illustrated and notes on their
distribution and nesting habits provided. (cid:9633) Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Polyrhachis,
Cyrtomyrma, new species, identification keys, distribution.
Rudolf J. Kohout, Queensland Museum, PO Box 3300, South Brisbane 4101, Australia
(email: [email protected]): 22 February 2006.
Cyrtomyrma is one of the relatively well - P. nomo Donisthorpe (New Guinea); P delecta
defined subgenera of Polyrhachis. However, it sp. nov. - P euryala Fr. Smith (Indonesia); and P.
is a taxonomically difficult group with many expressa sp. nov. - P. emeryana Mann (Solomon
very similar species that are frequently confused Islands). The characters separating the species of
and misidentified. This study began in 2001 as a each pair are constant, and I prefer to treat them as
review of the Australian species of Cyrtomyrma, distinct species rather than isolated populations of
primarily to provide taxonomic support for studies the same species.
on their nesting habits being conducted by Simon
With a highly convex, dome-shaped and mostly
Robson at James Cook University (Robson &
very finely sculptured mesosoma, the majority of
Kohout, 2005). Examination of Australian material
Cyrtomyrma species bear a superficial resemblance
revealed several new species, particularly in the
to some members of the P. mucronata-group of
Wet Tropics region of north Queensland (Kohout,
2000). However, because of the close affinities of the subgenus Myrmhopla Forel. However, virtually
the Australian fauna with that of South East Asia, all Cyrtomyrma species have a distinct
it soon became apparent that it was necessary to posterolateral carina separating the gena from
examine material from Borneo, Indonesia, New the ventral part s of the head, a character lacking
Guinea and the Solomon Islands. This resulted in all known species of the P. mucronata-group.
in the recognition of twenty-one extralimital The two groups also differ in the configuration of
new species which are related to Australian the petiole. In Cyrtomyrma the petiole is scale¬
species, or are otherwise interesting. The close like and usually armed with four (or more rarely
affinity between the Australian Cyrtomyrma two) teeth or spines. In contrast, the petiole
fauna and that of Indonesia, New Guinea and the in P. mucronata-group species is columnar
Solomon Islands is evident in a number of pairs and armed with two, more-or-less horizontal,
of very similar species, for example (Australian posteriorly directed spines that usually curve to
species listed first): P. australis Mayr - P. mondoi the shape of the gaster. In addition, the petiole
Donisthorpe (New Guinea); P. decumbens sp. nov. often bears a pair of short, intercalary teeth.
88 MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM
ILLUSTRATIONS. Scanning electron micro¬
The pupae also differ between the two groups,
being naked in all known Cyrtomyrma species (a graphs were prepared with a Hitachi S-530
SEM, using gold coated specimens. Unless
character shared with members of the subgenus
otherwise indicated, they represent specially
Myrmatopa Forel), and enclosed within cocoons
selected paratypes (often from the same nest
in P. mucronata-gxoup species. The species of
series as the holotype ) of new species or critically
both groups have similar nesting habits, building
compared specimens (mostly from type localities)
nests of silk and vegetation debris upon the
of previously described species. Because fracturing
leaves of various plants.
repeatedly occurred in specimens of several
METHODS species, the SEM micrographs are sometimes
complemented or substituted by digital images.
Unlike other Polvrhachis ants, the cuticule These were also used to illustrate types of
of Cyrtomyrma species appears to be very previously described species and of some new
thin and the body is highly prone to fracturing species where insufficient material prohibited the
in preserved specimens. Damage to many use of specimens for coating. Digital photographs
specimens, including numerous types, is so were prepared using a ProgRes 3012 scanning
excessive that they could not be confidently digital camera (Jenoptik) attached to Leica
measured or identified. The same problem was MZ16 stereomicroscope. All digital images were
encountered during specimen preparation processed using Auto-Montage (Syncroscopy,
for scanning electron microscopy. In spite of Division of Synoptics Ltd, USA) software.
specimens being 'critical point' dried, the head,
mesosoma and gaster of many cracked in the STANDARD MEASUREMENTS AND
vacuum chamber during the coating process. INDICES. Measurements and indices follow those
However, where the damage did not affect the of Kohout (1990: 499): TL, Total length (the
taxonomically important parts of the body, or the necessarily composite measurement of the
general appearance of the ant was not significantly outstretched length of the entire ant measured
distorted, such specimens were still used for in profile); HL, head length (the maximum
illustrations. measurable length of the head in perfect full
face view, measured from the anterior-most point
Publication dates and the spelling of species
of the clypcal border or teeth, to the posterior-
epithets and authors’ names follow Bolton most point of the occipital margin); HW, head
(1995), except for the name of W. Karawajew,
width (width of the head in perfect full face view,
where the spelling used by the author himself (e.g.
measured immediately in front of the eyes); Cl,
1927 etc) has been followed. Where a holotype cephalic index (HW x 100/HL); SL, scape length
specimen is mentioned as 'unique’, this infers that
(excluding the condyle); SI, scape index (SL x
it was the only specimen available for description
100/HW); PW, pronotal width (greatest width of
and no syntype or paratype specimens are known
the pronotal dorsum); MTL, metathoracic tibial
to exist. This study is principally based on
length (maximum measurable length of the tibia of
the worker caste but notes are provided on
the hind leg). All measurements were taken using
associated queens. a Zeiss SR stereomicroscope with an eyepiece
The localities at which ants were collected by graticule calibrated against a stage micrometer. All
the Bishop Museum’s collectors were checked measurements are expressed in millimetres (mm).
against that institution’s list of New Guinean
ABBREVIATIONS. Collectors. BBL, B.B.
localities (BPBM. 1966, unpublished). In some
Lowery; CJB, C.J. Burwell; DJC, D.J. Cook;
cases the latitude and longitude co-ordinates, or
GBM, G.B. Monteith; JLG, J.L. Gressitt; JPH,
altitude, are only roughly approximate. The use of
J.& P. Hasenpusch; RJK, R.J. Kohout; RWT, R.W.
the words "Borneo”, "New Guinea” or "Bismarck
Taylor; SKR, S.K. Robson; TCM, T.C. Maa.
Archipelago” alone indicate the delimitation of
these regions in a biogeographic sense regardless General Bch, Beach; Ck, Creek; FP, Forest
of current political boundaries. Similarly, the Park; Hmsd, Homestead; I., Island; Is, Islands;
fauna of Bougainville Island is treated with that of Mt, Mount; Mtn, Mountain; Mts, Mountains; NP,
the Solomons. Collectively they share a relatively National Park; Pen., Peninsula; Pltn, Plantation;
homogenous group of species that is rather R., River; Ra., Range; Rd, Road; rfi, rainforest;
distinct from that of the Bismarck Archipelago SF, State Forest; Stn, Station; Tbld, Tableland; w,
and New Guinea. worker/s; x-ing, crossing.
REVIEW OF POLYRHACHIS (CYRTOMYRMA) FOREL 89
Institutions (with names of cooperating curators). 1938: 246 (revision); Dorow, 1995: 21; Bolton 1995:
AMNH, American Museum of Natural History, 26. Type species: Formica rastellata Latreille, 1802 by
original designation.
New York, U.S.A (Dr J. M. Carpenter); ANIC,
Australian National Insect Collection, Canberra, TAXONOMIC HISTORY
Australia (Drs S.O. Shattuck, R.W. Taylor); BMNH
In 1867 Mayr published the first attempt to
- The Natural History Museum, London, U.K.
(Dr Barry Bolton); BPBM - Bernice P. Bishop subdivide the genus Polyrhachis. He established
six groups called ‘turmae’ which he later (1879)
Museum, Honolulu, U.S.A. (K.T. Arakaki); IZUW
renamed ‘gruppen’. One of these groups,
- Institute of Zoology, University of Wurzburg,
Germany (Dr B. Holldobler); JCUT - James ‘Rastellata’, containing P rastellata (Latreille), P
Cook University, Townsville, Australia (Dr S.K. laevissima Fr. Smith and P levior Roger largely
corresponded with the modern day concept of
Robson); MCSN - Museo Civico di Storia Naturale
the subgenus Cyrtomyrma except that Mayr also
‘Giacommo Doria’, Genova, Italy (Drs R. Poggi,
included P muemnata Fr. Smith that is now placed
V. Raineri); MCZC - Museum of Comparative
in the muemnata species-group of the subgenus
Zoology, I larvard University, Cambridge, U.S.A.
Myrmhopla Forel. Emery (1896) accepted Mayr’s
(Dr S. Cover); MHNG - Museum d’Histoire
system of ‘gruppen’, but reduced their number
Nature lie, Geneva, Switzerland (Drs C. Besuchet,
to four and named them ‘coorti’, with ‘Coorte
I. Lobl, B. Merz); MLAC - Natural History
2. Polyrhachides carinatae* divided into five
Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles,
‘manipuli’, one of which, ‘manipulus rastellata\
U.S.A. (Dr R.R. Snelling); MNHN - Museum
corresponded with Mayr’s ‘Rastellata’ group.
National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
Wheeler (1911) largely recognised Emery's four
(Dr J. Casevitz Weulersse); MNHU - Museum
‘coorti' but formally named them as subgenera
fur Naturkunde, Humboldt-Universitat, Berlin,
and added a fifth. Emery’s ‘Polyrhachides
Germany (Dr F. Koch, Ms A. Kleine-MOIlhoff);
carinatae’ become the subgenus Mvrma (sensu
NHMB - Naturhistorisches Museum, Basel,
Wheeler, 1911). Forel (1915) further elaborated
Sw itzerland (Drs M. Brancucci, D.H. Burckhardt);
the classification of Polyrhachis by subdividing
NHMW - Naturhistorisches Museum, Wien,
several of the subgenera established by Wheeler
Austria (Drs M. Fischer, S. Schodl); NMNH -
(1911). Ford (1915) removed several species from
National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian
Myrma (corresponding to Emery's ‘manipulus
Institution, Washington, DC, U.S.A. (DrT.R.
rastellata and ‘manipulus revoili ’) and placed
Schultz); NNML - Nationaal Natuurhistorisch
them within a new subgenus Cyrtomyrma.
Museum, Leiden, The Netherlands (Dr Ing. C. van
Forel named P. rastellata as the type species of
Achterberg); NRMS - Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet
Cyrtomyrma, but did not provide a description of
Stockholm, Sweden (Dr K-J Hedquist, F. Ronquist,
tlie subgenus. In 1921, Emery removed P revoili
B. Viklund); OXUM - Hope Entomological from Cyrtomyrma and placed it, with several
Collections, University Museum, Oxford, U.K. other African species, into his newly established
(Dr C. OToole); QM - Queensland Museum, subgenus Pseudocyrtomyrma Emery (later
Brisbane, Australia (Drs C.J. Burwell, G.B. synomymised with Myrma). Emery (1925) gave
Monteith); SNSD - Staatliche Naturhistorische the first diagnosis of Cyrtomyrma and included
Sammlungen, Museum fiir Tierkunde, Dresden, 10 species and 15 subspecific forms within
Germany ( Drs R. Emmrich, U. Kallweit); UCDC the subgenus. The first attempted revision of
- University of California, Davis, USA (Dr P. Cyrtomyrma was published by Donisthorpe
Ward); ITBC - Institute for Tropical Biology and (1938) who treated 23 species and 9 subspecies.
Conservation, Kota Kinabalu, East Malaysia (Dr He divided the subgenus into two main groups
Maryati Mohamed). based on the shape of the pronotal humeri.
Each of these groups w as subdivided into tw o
SYSTEMATICS subgroups according to the presence or lack of
propodeal spines. More recently Dorow' (1995)
Genus Polyrhachis Fr. Smith, 1857 gave an overview of the higher classification of
Polyrhachis and included keys to the subgenera.
Polyrhachis Fr. Smith, 1857: 58. Type species: Formica
He also included diagnoses and lists of species
bihamata Drury, 1773 by original designation.
for all the subgenera, together with notes on the
Subgenus Cyrtomyrma Forel, 1915 their history', phylogeny and distribution. Bolton
(1995) published the latest list of Cyrtomyrma
Cyrtomyrma Forel, 1915: 107 (as subgenus of Polyrhachis
species, including all available and unavailable
Fr. Smith); Emery, 1925: 207 (diagnosis); Donisthorpe,
90 MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM
names, in his catalogue of world ants. The world achterbergi, R. bruehli sp. nov., R inflata sp.
fauna of Cyrtomyrma was revised by Than nov., R luctuosa Emery, R vitalisi Santschi and P.
(1978) in his PhD thesis, but this work was not widodoi) with head, mesosoma and petiole more
subsequently published. However, numerous heavily sculptured, reticulate-punctate, opaque.
‘type’ specimens bearing his manuscript names Colour of body mostly black, more rarely blue.
have been distributed to several museums. These
Queen. Similar to worker, with usual characters
specimens have no nomenclatural status and
identifying full sexuality, including three ocelli
should be ignored.
and fully developed thoracic structure with wings.
Armament of pronotal humeri markedly reduced;
DIAGNOSIS
propodeal and petiolar spines distinctly shorter, but
Worker. Relatively small ants (HL < 2.10) queens of some species (e.g. R robsoni sp. nov.)
with general characteristics of the genus. Head with short propodeal spines that are completely
relatively large, more-or-less triangular in frontal absent in workers; sculpturation and colour
view, with sides moderately convex and anteriorly virtually identical to worker.
converging in front of eyes; behind eyes, sides
Male. Males of many species are known, but
of head rounded into broadly convex occipital
their diagnosis is beyond the purpose and scope
margin; strong, longitudinal carina running from
of this paper.
occipital comers towards mandibular bases and
separating gena from ventral parts of head (carina Distribution and biolog)\ The known
absent in P. achterbergi sp. nov. and P. widodoi distribution of the subgenus ranges from
sp. nov.). Mandibular masticatory border with China to India and Sri Lanka and south across
5 teeth, apical tooth longest, subsequent teeth Indonesia and New Guinea to the Solomon
gradually reducing in length. Anterior clypeal Islands and northern Australia. All known
margin in most species with central, truncate species are arboreal, building nests of silk and
flange, usually notched medially and flanked vegetation debris between the leaves and shrubs
by distinct angles or acute denticles (anterior of trees. However, some species are occasionally
clypeal margin deeply emarginate medially in Iignicolous, using available cavities such as
R widodoi; with a central, projecting blunt tooth bamboo internodes or hollow branches, the
in P. achterbergi): basal clypeal margin usually walls of which they line with silk ( Robson &
only moderately impressed, laterally indicated Kohout, 2005). Some species (e.g. R. inducta
by a thin line. Eyes relatively large, ranging from sp. nov., P. mondoi Donisthorpe) have also been
flat to distinctly convex; ocelli mostly absent. found nesting under bark on living trees.
Frontal carinae strongly sinuate in most species.
Mesosoma moderately to strongly longitudinally INFRASPECIFIC TAXA ELEVATED
and transversely convex, with dorsum totally TO SPECIFIC STATUS
immarginate. Pronotal humeri toothed, angular
or simply rounded; promesonotal suture distinct, As a result of examination of numerous types
metanotal groove absent or weakly indicated by and other available material of species related
a faint line or slight depression in lateral outline. to P. laevissima Fr. Smith and R ras tel lata,
Propodeum armed with short spines, tubercles, or I propose seven subspecies be elevated to
completely unarmed, descending into declivity in a specific status. Three that occur in areas outside
more-or-less smooth, medially uninterrupted line. the main geographic scope of this paper are
Petiole scale-like, usually armed with four spines treated below. The others are treated within their
or teeth of variable length and configuration, geographic provenance; one from New Guinea
rarely with backwards directed, long and slender and three from the Solomon Islands.
lateral spines (as in R sedlaceki sp. nov.) or with
all spines reduced to minute denticles (as in P. Polyrhachis celebensis
semiinermis Donisthorpe, P. danwn sp. nov. and Viehmeyer, 1913 stat. nov.
R. brevinoda sp. nov.). Gaster large, globose, Polyrhachis rastellata var. celebensis Viehmeyer. 1913:
first segment occupying about half its length. All 155. Syntype workers. Type locality: INDONESIA,
body surfaces rather smooth (highly polished in R SULAWESI (in copal), MNHU (examined).
Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) rastellata var. celebensis
sedlaceki), with sculpturation consisting mostly ot
Viehmeyer. Emery. 1925: 208; Donisthorpe, 1938: 256.
very fine, superficial reticulations with scattered
minute pits; sculpture becoming distinctly more REMARKS. Following examination of both
coarsely reticulate laterally; a few species (P. available syntypes, 1 consider P. celebensis to be
REVIEW OF POLYRHACHIS (CYRTOMYRMA) FOREL 91
a distinct species from P. ras tel lata. Polyrhachis P mackayi Donisthorpe, 1938
celebensis is characterised by angular pronotal P. monte it hi sp. nov.
shoulders armed with diminutive denticles, a
P pilosa Donisthorpe, 1938
petiole armed with four spines (the dorsal pair
P. robsoni sp. nov.
rather prominent and slightly longer than the
lateral pair) and black legs. In contrast, the pronotal P rutila sp. nov.
shoulders in P rastellata are narrowly rounded, P. yorkana Forel, 1915
the petiolar spines subequal in length and the legs Taylor & Brown (1985) and Kohout &
distinctly orange or light reddish-brown. Taylor (1990) included P. rastellata in their
list of Australian species. However, following
Polyrhachis corporaali examination of P rastellata specimens from
Santschi, 1928 stat. nov. India and Sri Lanka and their comparison with
Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) rastellata var. corporaali extensive material of Australian Cyrtomyrma, I
Santschi. 1928: 134, fig. 2. Syntype workers, queen. Type am reasonably confident that P. rastellata does
locality: INDONESIA, Sumatra, Medan (J.B. Corporaal), not occur in Australia.
NHMB (examined).
Kohout (2000) also suggested P. debilis Emery
REMARKS. Polyrhachis corporaali was
occured in Queensland’s Wet Tropics and more
described by Santschi as the ‘smallest known
recently, similar specimens have been collected on
variety of rastellata'. It is easily separated from
Melville I. olT the coast of the Northern Territory
that species by its much smaller size, distinctly
(A. Andersen, pers. comm.). However, direct
toothed pronotal shoulders and closely
comparison of these specimens with several
approximated frontal carinae resulting in an
syntypes of debilis (MCSN, MCZC, NMNH) has
extremely narrow central area.
shown that they are not conspecific. Specimens
from the Wet Tropics listed as P. debilis by
Polyrhachis semiinermis
Kohout (2000) are P yorkana Forel (see below).
Donisthorpe, 1941 stat. nov.
Those from Melville I. probably represent a
Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) rastellata var. semi-inermis new species but there is insufficient material
Donisthorpe, 1941: 209. Syntype workers. Type locality:
to describe it here. The type locality of/5 debilis
PHILIPPINES, Luzon, Baguio (A. Moore), BMNH
(examined). (Fly River, Papua New Guinea) is situated just
across Torres Strait from Cape York Peninsula
REMARKS. Polyrhachis semiinermis is charac¬ and a number of Polyrhachis species (e.g. P
terised by widely rounded pronotal shoulders
sexspinosa (Latreille), P. schenckii Forel, P
and a petiole that is virtually parallel-sided with
andromache Roger, P brevinoda sp. nov. and
the petiolar teeth reduced to mere denticles or
P decumbens sp. nov.) occur in both areas.
completely lacking. Based on these characters,
Despite the vast amount of Cyrtomyrma material
P semiinermis is much more closely related to
available from Cape York Peninsula, I have not
the newly described P. danam from Borneo and P
found any specimens satisfactorily comparable
brevinoda from Australia than to P. rastellata.
with the P debilis syntypes. Consequently, until
proven otherwise, I regard P. debilis as a New
CHECKLIST OF
Guinean element not occuring in Australia.
AUSTRALIAN SPECIES
Synonyms are indented with non-Australian KEY TO CYRTOMYRMA SPECIES
FROM AUSTRALIA
junior synonyms excluded.
(based on worker caste)
P. abbreviate! sp. nov.
P. australis Mayr, 1870 1. Pronotal shoulders in dorsal view more-or-less toothed
or obtusely angular; greatest width of pronotal dorsum
P doddi Donisthorpe, 1938
across, or just below shoulders (e.g. Figs 21, 3G, 4B)
P nox Donisthorpe, 1938
P townsvillei Donisthorpe, 1938 Pronotal shoulders in dorsal view narrowly or widely
P. brevinoda sp. nov. rounded; greatest width of pronotal dorsum at, or about,
P. decumbens sp. nov. middle of its length (e.g. Figs 2E, 2G, 4D).7
P. delecta sp. nov. 2. Propodeum armed with a pair of spines, denticles or
P. express a sp. nov. tuberculae (e.g. Figs 2H, 3D, 4A, 4G) .3
P. hoelldobleri sp. nov. Propodeum totally unarmed (Fig. 3F). .robsoni sp. nov.
92 MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM
3. Dorsal surfaces of body covered with numerous relatively Lateral petiolar spines only slightly longer than dorsal
long, mostly erect or variously curved hairs (Fig. 3D) pair, or all spines subequal; propodeal spines shorter than
.monteithi sp. nov. half distance between their bases (e.g. Figs 1D-E, 4G-H)
. 13
Dorsal surfaces of body with only a tuft ol erect hairs on
summit of mesosoma and a few hairs on dorsum of head 13. Propodeal spines short, but always present (Fig.
and along apical segments of gaster (e.g. Figs 2H, 4A) 1D-E); legs distinctly yellow, or light reddish-brown
.4 . abbreviata sp. nov. (in part)
4. Propodeal spines well developed, generally longer than half Propodeal spines very short present as strongly upturned
distance betw een their bases (e.g. Figs 2F-G, 4A-B) ... 5 denticles or more-or-less distinct tuberculae (Fig. 4G);
legs dark reddish-brown.yorkana Forel (in part)
Propodeal spines much shorter than hall distance
between their bases or reduced to mere denticles or 14. Petiole virtually parallel-sided; petiolar spines very
tuberculae (e.g. Figs 1D-E, 4G-H).6 short, lateral spines reduced to denticles (Fig. 1G)
. brevinoda sp. nov.
5. Pronotal shoulders distinctly toothed or bilobed (Fig. 21);
generally smaller (HL 1.40-1.47) .. hoelldobleri sp. nov. Petiole with sides diverging dorsally; lateral petiolar spines
at least as long as dorsal pair (Figs 2E, 4D). 15
Pronotal shoulders bluntly angular or narrowly
rounded (Fig. 4B); generally larger (HL 1.53-1.72) 15. Antennal scapes longer (SI >140); lateral petiolar
.australis Mayr (in part) spines distinctly longer than dorsal pair (Indonesia)
.(euryala Fr. Smith)
6. Smaller (HL 125-1.34); propodeal spines short, but always
present (Fig. 1D-E); legs distinctly yellow, or light Antennal scapes shorter (SI -135); lateral and dorsal
reddish-brown.abbreviatei sp. nov. (in part) petiolar spines subequal in length. 16
Larger (HL 1.56-1.62); propodeal spines very short or 16. Pronotum in dorsal view strongly transverse, with humeri
reduced to mere denticles or tuberculae (Fig. 4G-H); narrowly rounded or weakly ungulate (Fig. 4D); petiole
legs dark reddish-brown.vorkana Forel (in part) with sides only weakly diverging dorsally, spines
shorter (Fig. 4C) (mid- to southern Queensland)
7. Dorsal surfaces of body covered with numerous erect ...mackayi Donisthorpe
and/or decumbent hairs (e.g. Figs IH, 4E).8
Pronotum in dorsal view weakly transverse, w ith humeri
Dorsal surfaces of body virtually without hairs, except widely rounded (Fig. 2E); petiole with sides more
for tuft of erect hairs on summit of mesosoma, a few strongly diverging dorsally, spines longer (Fig. 2D) (far
hairs on dorsum of head and along apical segments of north Queensland).delecta sp. nov.
gaster (Figs 2D, 4A).(cid:9830).10
8. Pubescence of body consisting of abundant, short to very Polyrhachis abbreviata sp. nov.
short, somew hat decumbent or recumbent hairs; only a
(Fig. 1A, D-E)
few scattered longer, erect hairs present (Figs IH-L 3H-I)
.9
MATERIAL. HOLOTYPE: QUEENSLAND,
Pubescence of body consisting of numerous, relatively Mission Beach, c. 4km WbyS of, 17°53'S, 146°04’E,
long, erect or variously curved hairs, covering most 29.ii. 1996, lowland rf., ex silk nest between leaves,
dorsal surfaces; only sparse decumbent hairs present
S.K..A. Robson #253 (worker). PARATYPES: data (and
(Fig. 4E-F) .pilosa Donisthorpe
nest) as for holotype (157 workers, 1 dealate ,). Type
9. Body distinctly bicoloured, reddish-brown with gaster and deposition: Flolotype (QMT99331), most paratype
appendages bright orange; mesosomal dorsum in lateral workers and paratype ^ in QM; 2 paratype workers
view' distinctly impressed at promesonotal suture (Fig. 3H) each in AMNH, ANIC, BMNI1, CASC, JCUT. MCZC,
...rutila sp. nov. MHNG. MLAC and NMNH. OTHER MATERIAL:
Body unicoloured, jet-black with appendages mostly QUEENSLAND, Julatten, 16°37’S, 145°20'E. 2.V.1990
medium to dark reddish-brown; mesosomal dorsum in (BBL) (w); Black Mtn Rd. 4km N ofKuranda, I6a47’S,
lateral view evenly rounded, w ithout distinct impression 145°37’E, 21.vii.1980, rf. (RJRacc. 80.103, 107, 109)
at promesosonal suture (Fig. 1H) ... decumbens sp. nov. (w); Kuranda. c. 100ft, 4.vi.l962, rf. (RWT acc. 1322)
(w); Coperlode Dam Rd. 16°58'S, 145°42'E, I7.X.1991-
10. Propodeum armed with a pair of spines, denticles or
23 vii.1992, pitfall traps NQ42 (Lawless. Raven, Shaw)
tuberculae (e.g. Fig. 4A, G) . 11
(w); Westgid Ck. Bellenden Ker Ra., I .xi. 1981 (GBM
Propodeum totally unarmed (e.g. Figs IF, 2D, 4C) . 14 & Earthwatch Exp.) (w); Palmerston NP, 17°37’S,
145°48*E, 350-400m, 2.i. 1990, rf. (GBM et al.) (w);
11. Mesosomal dorsum in lateral view distinctly flat or
shallowly impressed at promesonotal suture (Fig. 2F) Upper Boulder Ck, c. 8km N of Tully, 100-500m,
. expressa sp. nov. 4.xii.l989 (GBM, Thompson, Janetski) (w).
Mesosomal dorsum in lateral view' evenly convex,
DESCRIPTION. Worker. Dimensions (holotype
without distinct impression at promesonotal suture
cited first): TL c. 4.84,4.68-5.49; HL 1.31, 1.25-
(Figs 4A, 4G) ..12
1.34; H W 1.22, 1.15-1.28; Cl 93,90-98; SL 1.56,
12. Lateral petiolar spines distinctly longer than dorsal pair;
1.53-1.65; SI 128, 124-133; PW 0.94, 0.94-1.00;
propodeal spines generally longer than half distance
between their bases (Fig. 4A-B) .. australis Mayr (in part) MTL 1.78, 1.72-1.87 (20 measured).
REVIEW OF POLYRHACHIS (CYRTOMYRMA) FOREL 93
Clypeus in profile weakly convex; basal margin Queen. Dimensions: TL c. 7.21; HL 1.72; HW
moderately impressed. Frontal triangle indistinct. 1.56; Cl 91; SL 1.93; SI 124; PW 1.62; MTL 2.40
Frontal carinae sinuate, margins weakly raised; (1 measured). Apart from sexual characters and
central area with short furrow. Sides of head distinctly larger size, closely resembling worker
in front of eyes very weakly convex, almost except: pronotal humeri rounded; mesoscutum
straight, strongly converging towards mandibular only marginally wider than long with lateral
bases; behind eyes sides rounding into convex margins rather strongly converging anteriorly,
occipital margin. Eyes convex, in full face view forming distinctly narrowly rounded anterior
breaking lateral cephalic outline. Ocelli lacking, margin. Median line relatively short; parapsides
relative positions indicated in some specimens rather flat, slightly raised posteriorly; mesoscutum
by minute depressions in cephalic sculpturation. in profile weakly convex anteriorly, virtually flat
Pronotum in dorsal view with humeri narrowly posteriorly. Mesoscutellum convex in lateral view,
rounded, or bluntly angular in some specimens, well elevated above dorsal plane of mesosoma;
with greatest width of segment just behind metanotal groove distinct. Propodeum armed with
shoulders. Mesosoma in profile more-or-less distinct, somewhat dorsoventrally compressed,
evenly convex. Promesonotal suture distinct, weakly upturned spines; dorsum descending
metanotal groove feebly indicated laterally, rather abruptly into virtually vertical declivity;
indistinct dorsally. Propodeal spines very short, petiolar spines marginally longer. Sculpturation,
upturned. Petiole in lateral view with anterior pilosity and colour as in worker.
face almost straight, posterior face convex;
Males unknown. Immature stages (eggs, larvae
dorsum armed with four spines: dorsal pair
and pupae) deposited in the QM spirit collection.
triangular, tooth-like, closer to each other than to
lateral teeth; lateral pair more acute and slightly REMARKS. Polyrhachis abbreviate! is a relatively
longer; subpetiolar process in lateral view rare species apparently restricted to Queensland’s
acute anteriorly, narrowly rounded posteriorly. Wet Tropics. Like other Cyrtomyrma species,
Anterior face of first gastral segment relatively it builds nests of larval silk and vegetation
low, widely rounding onto dorsum of segment. debris between the leaves of rainforest trees and
shrubs. Polyrhachis abbrvviata is rather similar to
Mandibles finely, longitudinally striate-rugose.
P wrkana (Fig. 4G-H) with which it is sympatric
Dorsum of head, mesosoma, petiole and gaster very
at Mission Beach. They differ notably in their size
finely shagrecned, rather polished, with scattered
(HL 1.25-1.34 in P. abbrvviata versus 1.53-1.62 in
minute puctures and piliferous pits. Sculptural
P yorkana) and in the colour of their appendages
intensity increasing laterally and becoming rather
which, in P. abbrvviata, are yellow, orange or light
strongly reticulate-rugose, notably on meso- and
reddish-brown. In contrast the legs in P yorkana are
metapleurae and lower parts of petiole.
brown to dark reddish-brown. Also, the petiole in
Several curved hairs along mandibular profile is distinctly lower and wider in P. abbrvviata
masticatory borders with hairs reducing in length compared to P yorkana. This species was listed as
towards bases. Anterior clypeal margin with only Polyrhachis ‘Cyrto 08’ by Kohout (2000: 197).
1 or 2, relatively long, anteriorly directed setae
medially and a few shorter setae fringing margin Polyrhachis australis Mayr, 1870
laterally. A few pairs of medium length, mostly (Fig. 4A-B)
erect hairs near anterior and basal clypeal margins
Polyrhachis australis Mayr, 1870: 945. Holotypc worker.
and along frontal carinae; single pair of hairs on
Type locality: Port Mackay, Ostaustralien ( = Mackay,
vertex and summit of mesosoma. Gaster with a few QUEENSLAND) (type presumed lost). Neotype
erect hairs along posterior margins of segments, worker (here designated): Cape Hillsborough NP,
notably towards apex and on venter. Head, 20°55’S. I49°02'E, l.vi.1996 (RJK acc. 96.2) in QM
(QMT99332).
mesosoma, petiole and gaster with very short,
Polyrhachis levior Roger. 1863: 8: Mayr, 1876: 71 (spurious
appressed pubescence arising from numerous pits synonymy of P australis under P levior).
and shallow punctures. Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) nox Donisthorpc, 1938: 249,
fig. 2. Synonymy by Kohout & Taylor, 1990: 513.
Colour. Body black. Mandibular masticatory Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) townsvillei Donisthorpc, 1938:
borders reddish-brown. Antennae very dark 251, tig. 4. Synonymy with P doddi Donisthorpc by
brown, condylae and distal ends of scapes a shade Kohout. 1998: 527.
Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) doddi Donisthorpe, 1938: 263,
lighter. Legs distinctly yellow, orange or reddish-
fig. 13. Synonymy by Kohout, 2000: 195.
brown, with coxae and proximal ends of tibiae a Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) australis Mayr. Kohout, 2000:
shade darker; tarsi very dark brown. 195, figs 2C, 4C.
94 MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM
REMARKS. Kohout & Taylor (1990) reported immature stages (eggs, larvae in various stages
the absence of the holotype of P. australis from of development and pupae).
the Mayr collection (NHMW) and subsequent
Polyrhachis australis is a characteristic species
enquiries to the Hamburg Museum (ZIZM) support
combining more-or-less angular pronotal humeri
their opinion that it has been destroyed. However,
w ith well developed propodeal spines. It closely
when Mayr (1876) incorrectly synonymised
resembles P. hoelldobleri described below, but
P. australis with P. levior, he also listed
differs in the development of pronotal humeri.
‘Rockhampton' and ‘Peak Downs* as localities
In P. australis the humeri are obtusely angular or
additional to ‘Port Mackay’, from which
narrowly rounded (Fig. 4B), while all examined
specimens were sent to him by the Godeffroy
specimens of hoelldobleri have distinctly angular
Museum. Considering that Mayr regarded all or virtually bilobed humeri (Fig. 21), similar to
these specimens as conspecific, the identity of those of P levior Roger from Indonesia or P.
P. australis can be established with confidence. pacifica sp. nov. from the Solomons. In addition,
I have examined eight available specimens of that the lateral petiolar spines in P. australis are
series lodged in the Mayr collection and identified distinctly longer than the dorsal spines, while all
by Mayr between 1874-1876 as P levior the petiolar spines in P hoelldobleri are subequal.
Roger. All bear identification tags in Mayr’s Polyrhachis australis is a rather common species
handwriting reading ‘P. laevior (sic) R. det. G. in suitable localities along the tropical and
Mayr* and locality labels variously inscribed subtropical coast of eastern Australia, ranging
‘Godeftr., Australia, 1876’, ‘Rockhampt., Godeffr., from about Cairns south to the Queensland-New
1874’ or ‘Godeffr., Rockhampt., 1876’. Following South Wales border and as far west as Forty Mile
its erroneous synonymy with P levior (Mayr, Scrub and Undara. A single speciment has very
1876), P. australis became one of the most recently been cllected from Davenport Range
misunderstood Australian species of the subgenus NP in the Northern Territory (A. Andersen, pers.
and specimens from Queensland with more-or- comm.). It is an arboreal species that builds nests
less angular humeri and propodeal spines were of silk and vegetation debris between the leaves
commonly identified as P levior. Donisthorpe of trees and shrubs along the margins of lowiand
(1932) was the first author who examined the rainforests and wroodlands.
unique holotype worker of/5, levior in the W.W.
Saunders collection in Oxford (OXUM) and Polyrhachis brevinoda sp. nov.
realised that specimens from Queensland, supplied (Fig. IB, F-G)
by F.P. Dodd and R.E. Turner, were not conspecific.
MATERIAL. HOLOTYPE: QUEENSLAND, Kirrama
Consequently, Donisthorpe (1938) described three
Ra,c. 9km W of Kennedy, 18°12’S, 145°42’E,c. 110m,
new species from that material; P doddi, P. nox
4.vi.l996, rainforest, ex nest between leaves, R.J.
and P. townsvillei which are all now considered Kohout acc. 96.14 (worker). PARATYPES: data (and
synonyms of P. australis. nest) as for holotype (59 workers); Mission Beach, c.
4km WbySof, I7°53’S, 146°04’E,29.ii. 1996,lowland
In order to establish the nomenclatural stability
rf, ex nest between leaves, S.K.A. Robson #256 (13
of the species, I hereby designate, in accordance workers, 1 dealate : ). Type deposition: Holotype
with Article 75 of the International Code of (QMT99333), most paratypes from holotype nest,
Zoological Nomenclature (Fourth Edition), a 7 paratypes and I para type ; in QM; 4 paratypes
worker specimen as the neotype of Polyrhachis (2 from holotype nest) each in ANIC, BMNH and
australis Mayr. The specimen w'as directly MCZC; 2 paratypes (from holotype nest) each in
AMNH, CASC, JCUT, MHNG, MLAC and NMNH.
compared and considered conspecific with the
OTHER MATERIAL. PAPUA NEW GUINEA,
specimens from Queensland identified by Mayr
Central Prov., nr Eilogo, 21 .xii. 1980 (J.W. Ismay) (w).
as P. levior (see above) and with the syntypes of WESTERN AUSTRALIA: West Kimberley, Windjana
P doddi and P nox. The specimen was selected Gorge NP, S.vii.2001 (P. Filewood #07) (single
from a polydomous colony collected from a silk w). QUEENSLAND, Cape York Pen.. 12km W of
nest built between the leaves of low shrub in Captain Billy, 11°38‘S, 142°44’E, 7.xii.l992, rf. (P.
open forest at Cape Hillsborough NP (RJK acc. Zborowski & K. Halfpapp) (w): Iron Ra., 12°42’S,
I43°18’E, 9-15.vi. 1971, rf (RWT & J. Feehan acc.
96.2). This locality is situated only about 30km
71.163) (w); ditto, l-3.vii.1976, rf. (P. Filewood)
NW of Mackay, the type locality of P. australis. (vv); ditto, Gordon Ck x-ing. 14-16.i.l992, rf. (RJK
The neotype has been deposited in the QM, acc. 92.2, 4) (w, $); ditto, 1-6.x.2000, rf. (RJK acc.
together with the rest of the colony consisting 2000.128) (w); 9km ENE of Mt Tozer, 12°43’S,
of 106 workers, 4 alate queens and numerous 143°17’E, 5-10.vii.1986 (T. Weir & A. Calder) (w);
REVIEW OF POLYRHACHIS (CYRTOMYRMA) FOREL 95
1 Ikm ENE of Mt Tozcr, 12°43'S, 143°18’E, 11- profile with anterior face almost straight, posterior
16.vii. 1986 (T. Weir & A. Calder) ($); WestClaudie R., face convex; in dorsal view petiole rather narrow,
12°44’S, 143°14’E, c. 50m, 3-10.xii.1985, rf. (GBM
sides more-or-lcss parallel; petiolar spines very
& DJC) (w); Home Rule, 15°45'S, 145°17’E, c. 200m,
short, dorsal pair reduced to denticles and lateral
9-ll.vi.1996, rf. edge (CJB & RJK acc. 96.43) (w);
pair usually merely angulate; subpetiolar process
Parrot Ck upper, 15°48'S, 145°16’E, 300m, 22.xi.1998,
in lateral view acute anteriorly, angular with
rf. (GBM, P. Bouchard & A. O'Toole #1933) (w);
Pilgrim Sands, c. Ikm NW of Cape Tribulation, weakly concave margin posteriorly. Anterior face
16°04’S, I45°28'E, l.i.1991 (R. Pitching)(w); Cape of first gastral segment lower than height of petiole,
Tribulation, Canopy Crane Site, 16o06*S, 145°27'E. widely rounding onto dorsum of segment.
9.V.1997 (SKR #550) (w); ditto. 9- 10.ix.2001, lowland
rf. (RJK acc. 2001.29, 32) (w, $); Noah Ck, S of Cape Mandibles very finely, longitudinally striate.
Tribulation, 16°08'S, 145°25'E, 13-19.X.1980 (GBM) Head, mesosoma and gaster very finely shagreened
(vv); ditto, 25-28.vii.1993, rf., pyreth. (H. Mitchell) with sculptural intensity increasing laterally
(w, $); Oliver Ck, 8km SWbyS of Cape Tribulation, and becoming more reticulate over meso- and
16°08'S, 145°26'E, 14.vi.1996, rf. (RJK acc. 96.53) metapleurae and lateral portions of petiole. Scattered
(w); McLean Ck, c. 19km Sby W of Cape Tribulation,
minute punctures in various densities present over
16°15’S, 145°26'E, 15.vi.1996, rf (RJK acc. 96.54)
all dorsal surfaces.
(w); Black Mtn Rd, Kuranda, 3,vi.l962, rf. (RWT
acc. 1313) (w); Smithfield, 12km NW of Cairns, Several curved hairs along mandibular
c. 1200ft, 16°50’S, 145°41 *E, 5.v. 1997, second, rf. masticatory borders, numerous very short,
(SKR #553) (w); Bellenden Ker, Cableway Base
appressed hairs arising from pits towards
stn, 17-24.x. 1981 (GBM & Earthwatch Exp.) (w);
mandibular bases. Anterior clypeal margin usually
ditto, 8-23.iv. 1987 (E.C. Dahms & G. Sames) (vv);
with 2 long, anteriorly directed setae medially and
Garradunga, Seymour Ra., c. 7km N of Innisfail,
17°28'S, 146°0l’E, <100m, 5-6.vi.1996, lowland rf. several short setae along margin laterally. Semierect
(RJK & CJB acc. 96.31) (w); Mission Beach, 17°52’S, to erect, mostly paired hairs near anterior and basal
146°05’E, 29.ii.1996 (SKR #256) (w, ?, tf); ditto, 13. clypeal margins and along frontal carinae, a pair
x.2004, lowland rf. (SKR #1018, 1019) (w); Kirama of somewhat longer hairs on vertex. Single pair
Ra., c. 9km W of Kennedy, 18°12'S, 145°52’E, c. of long, but shorter than greatest diameter of eye,
110m, 4.vi. 1996, rf. (RJK et al. accs 96.13, 14) (w); undulated hairs on summit of mesosoma. Medium
ditto, 31 .x. 1999, rf. (SKR #807) (w); Hinchinbrook I.,
length, semierect hairs lining posterior margins of
Gayundah Ck, 18°2TS, 146°13’E, <10()m, 8-18.xi.1984
gastral segments, their density increasing on venter
(GBM) (w); Paluma, Little Crystal Ck, 19°00'S,
of gaster. Very short, appressed hairs, arising from
146°15’E, 29.ii.1996, primary rf. (SKR #147) (w).
minute punctures and pits, distributed over most
DESCRIPTION. Worker. Dimensions (holotype dorsal body surfaces.
cited first): TL c. 5.49,4.89-6.05; HL 1.40, 1.31-
1.53; HW 1.31, 1.18-1.43; Cl 93,87-94; SL 1.81, Colour. Head, mesosoma, coxae, petiole and
gaster mostly black. Antennae very dark
1.65-1.93; SI 138, 131 -148; PW 1.09, 0.97-1.15;
MTL2.15, 1.93-2.31 (31 measured). reddish-brown with apical ends a shade lighter.
Mandibular masticatory borders and legs medium
Clypeus in profile rather flat; basal margin reddish-brown with tarsi and proximal ends of
weakly impressed. Frontal triangle indistinct.
tibiae darker.
Frontal carinae sinuate with only moderately
raised margins; frontal furrow weakly indicated. Queen. Dimensions: TL c. 6.75; HL 1.61; HW
Sides of head in front of eyes very weakly convex; 1.40; Cl 87; SL 2.00; SI 143; PW 1.53; MTL 2.50
behind eyes rounding into convex * occipital (1 measured). Apart from sexual characters, closely
margin. Eyes convex, in full face view breaking resembling worker except: pronotal humeri
lateral cephalic outline. Ocelli lacking; relative narrowly rounded; mesoscutum marginally
positions indicated in some specimens by minute wider than long with lateral margins distinctly
depressions in cephalic sculpturation. Pronotum in converging anteriorly, forming narrowly rounded
dorsal view with humeri widely rounded; greatest anterior margin; median line relatively short,
pronotal width at or near mid-length of segment. bifurcate and slightly raised; parapsides weakly
Mesosoma in profile with pronotum rather raised posteriorly; mesoscutum in profile with
steeply rising towards weakly convex summit; widely rounded anterior face and rather flat
promesonotal suture distinct; metanotal groove dorsum. Mesoscutellum very weakly convex,
lacking, slight depression in mesosomal outline only marginally elevated above dorsal plane of
indicating its position; propodeal dorsum sloping mesosoma; metanotal groove distinct. Propodeal
into oblique declivity in open curve. Petiole in dorsum armed with distinct denticles; declivity
96 MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM
short and steep. Sculpturation, pilosity and colour NE by E of Heathlands, 11°41 ’S, 142°42’E, 15-2611992
virtually identical to worker. (1. Naumann & T. Weir) (w); 14km ENE of Heathlands,
ll°4rS, 142°42’E, 26.ii.1993 (P. Zborowski) (w);
Males and immature stages (eggs, larvae and Heathlands, ll°45’S, 142°35’E, 18-20 viii 1992
pupae) deposited in the QM spirit collection. (P. Zborowski & J. Cardale) (w); Iron Ra.. 12°42’S,
143°18'E, 9-15.vi.1971 (RWT& J. Feehan accs 135,
REMARKS. Polyrhachis brevinoda is not an 138, 141, 148) (w); ditto, l-3.vii.1976 (P. Filewood) (w);
uncommon species within its main distribution ditto, 17.iii.1984 (J.H. SedlaCek) (w); ditto, Gordon Ck
which is centered on the Wet Tropics region x-ins, 1-6.X.2000 (RJK acc. 2000.130) (w); East Ctaudie
of north Queensland, extending to Cape York R., Iron Ra., 12°42’S, I43°17?E, 6.xii.!985, pyrethrum
Peninsula and apparently to the southern parts of (GBM & DJC) (w); 9km ENE of Mt Tozcr. 12°43,S,
Papua New Guinea. A single specimen has also 143°17’E, 5-10.vii.1986, pantraps (J.C. Cardale)
(w); 11km ENE of Mt Tozcr. I2°43'S, 143°I8’E, 11-
been collected in the West Kimberly District of
16.vii. 1986 (T. Weir & A. Calder) (w); West Claudie R.,
north-western Australia. Polyrhachis brevinoda
12°44’S, 143°14’E, c. 50m, 3-10.xii.1985, pyrethrum
is a rainforest species that builds silk nests
(GBM & DJC) (w).
between leaves in the lower arboreal zone. It is
similar to R semiinermis (Fig. 11C-D), described DESCRIPTION. Worker Dimensions (holotype
by Donisthorpe (1941: 209) from the Philippines cited first): TL c. 5.14, 4.79-5.49; HL 1.34,
and P. danum sp. nov. (Fig. 6E-F) from Sabah, 1.22-1.40: HW 1.31, 1.17-1.40; Cl 98, 93-100;
Borneo. All three species have widely rounded SL 1.65, 1.50-1.78: SI 126, 121-130; PW 1.00,
pronotal shoulders and virtually parallel-sided 0.87-1.03; MTL 1.65, 1.65-1.93 (23 measured).
petioles with greatly reduced or rudimentary
Clypeus in profile straight; basal margin
spines. Polyrhachis brevinoda differs in having
moderately impressed. Frontal triangle indistinct.
the propodeal declivity descending in an oblique
Frontal carinae sinuate, margins very weakly raised
curve while in P. semiinermis and P. danum the
anteriorly, rather flat posteriorly. Sides of head in
declivity is virtually vertical. Although the
front of eyes weakly convex; rounding behind eyes
petiolar spines in P. brevinoda are short, the
into convex occipital margin. Eyes convex, in full
dorsal spines are relatively well defined, while
face view clearly breaking lateral cephalic outline.
the dorsal spines arc more-or-less obsolete in
Ocelli lacking. Pronotum in dorsal view with
the other two species. Polyrhachis brevinoda is
humeri widely rounded; greatest pronotal width
also distinctly smaller than P. danum (HL 1.31-
at or near mid-length of segment. Mesosomal
1.53 versus 1.65-1.87 respectively) and has dark
dorsum in profile evenly convex; promesonotal
brown to black legs (always distinctly red in P
suture distinct, metanotal groove lacking. Petiole
danum). Polyrhachis brevinoda was listed as P.
with anterior face almost straight, posterior face
‘Cyrto 06' by Kohout (2000: 197).
weakly convex; dorsum armed with four subequal,
acute spines. Subpetiolar process acute anteriorly,
Polyrhachis decumbens sp. nov.
rounded posteriorly. Anterior face of first gastral
(Fig. 1C, H-I)
segment straight, relatively low, narrowly
rounding onto dorsum of segment.
MATERIAL. HOLOTYPE: QUEENSLAND, Cape
York Pen., Lockerbie Scrub, 10°46’S, 142°29’E,
Head, mesosoma and gaster shagreened, with
19-23.iii.1987, ex nest between leaves, R.J. Kohout
intensity of sculpturation markedly increasing
acc. 87.67 (worker). PARATYPES: data (and nest)
laterally, becoming distinctly wrinkled;
as for holotype (15 workers, 1 dealate $); data as for
holotype, except RJK acc. 87.66 (4 workers). Type sculpturation strongly reticulate-rugose on meso-
deposition: Holotype (QMT99334), 3 paratype workers and metapleurae and sides of petiole.
and paratype $ (from holotype nest) and 2 paratype
Several curved and suberect hairs on mandibular
workers in QM; 4 paratype workers (2 from holotype
nest) in A NIC; 2 paratype workers (from holotype nest) masticatory borders with shorter appressed hairs
each in BMNH, MCZC, MHNG and NMNH. OTHER towards mandibular bases. Anterior clypeal margin
MATERIAL: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Central with 1 long and 2 slightly shorter, anteriorly
Prov., Laloki R., c. 20km N of Port Moresby, directed setae medially and several short setae
09°15’S, 147°05'E, 9.ii.l979, on citrus (E. Brough fringing margin laterally. Mostly paired, medium
#C-234, 235) (w): ditto, Bisianumu. c. 30km NE of
length, erect hairs near anterior and basal margins
Port Moresby, 09°24’S, I47°24*E, 500m. 7.vi.l965,
of clypeus, along frontal carinae and on vertex;
secondary rf. (J.L. Gressitt) (w). QUEENSLAND,
tufi of usually 4 erect, undulated, medium length
Cape York Pen., Lockerbie Scrub, 10°46'S, 142°29'E,
19-23.iii.1987, rf. (RJK acc. 87.20, 66) (w, ?); ditto, hairs on summit of mesosoma. Gaster with
23-26.ix.2003, rf. (RJK acc, 2003.14, 16) (w); 15km numerous semierect hairs lining posterior margins