Key to Sulawesi Polyrhachis subgenera and species-groups

AntWiki: The Ants --- Online

This worker key is based on: Kohout, R.J. 2008a. A review of the Polyrhachis ants of Sulawesi with keys and descriptions of new species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum. 52:255-317.

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Polyrhachis

1

  • Mesosomal dorsum distinctly laterally marginate along its entire length . . . . . 2
  • Mesosomal dorsum only partly marginate or totally immarginate. . . . . 13

2

return to couplet #1

  • Pronotal humeri produced into more-or-less anteriorly directed spines . . . . . 3
  • Pronotal humeri rounded, angular or produced into broad-based short teeth . . . . . 10

3

return to couplet #2

  • Propodeum usually with upturned teeth; petiole scale-like with dorsum armed or unarmed (Myrma, in part) . . . . . 4
  • Propodeum with posteriorly or upwardly directed spines; petiole columnar, armed with spines or teeth of various configurations . . . . . 7

4

return to couplet #3

  • Dorsum of petiole with four spines or teeth . . . . . 5
  • Dorsum of petiole without spines, entire or at most obtusely jagged . . . . . 6

5

return to couplet #4

  • Mesosoma in profile with distinct border dividing dorsum from declivity; head without postocular carinae . . . . . relucens species-group

6

return to couplet #4

  • Large species (HL >2.30); whole body with numerous long or medium length erect hairs . . . . . vestita species-group
  • Small species (HL <1.80); body with only a few short erect hairs on front of head and around gastral apex . . . . . inermis species-group

7

return to couplet #3

  • Dorsum of petiole armed with 3 mostly dorsoposteriorly directed spines of various lengths (Myrmothrinax) (in part - also #12, #13) . . . . . 8
  • Dorsum of petiole armed with 2 mostly horizontal spines that usually conform to shape of gaster . . . . . 9

8

return to couplet #7

  • Petiole with spines more-or-less subequal or with middle spine shorter than lateral pair . . . . . aequalis species-group
  • Petiole with middle spine distinctly longer than lateral pair that are sometimes rudimentary . . . . . thrinax species-group

9

return to couplet #7

  • Pronotal humeri produced into rather slender, acute spines; dorsum of petiole with posteriorly sloping platform, without intercalary teeth . . . . . Hedomyrma

10

return to couplet #2

  • Propodeum with posteriorly directed, horizontal spines . . . . . 13

11

return to couplet #10

  • Petiole columnar; dorsum armed with spines and/or teeth of various configurations . . . . . 12

12

return to couplet #11

  • Dorsum of petiole with two elevated spines, or with two horizontal spines and often a pair of intercalary teeth . . . . . flavicornis species-group

13

return to couplet #1; return to couplet #10

  • Pronotal humeri rounded or weakly obtusely angulate; petiole with 3 spines, middle spine distinctly elongated, lateral spines short or rudimentary; body without long hairs . . . . . Myrmothrinax (in part - also #7, #12) (only Polyrhachis unicuspis)
  • Pronotal humeri distinctly toothed; petiole with 2 horizontal spines conforming to shape of gaster; body with abundant long hairs . . . . . Chariomyrma

14

  • Mesosomal dorsum partly marginate (Myrmatopa, in part) . . . . . 15

15

return to couplet #14

  • Lateral margins of mesonotum produced into distinct dorsolateral prominences; pronotal dorsum without trace of lateral margins . . . . . schnag species-group
  • Lateral margins of mesonotum relatively flat, without distinct dorsolateral prominences; pronotal margins evident only at humeral angles, vague or completely lacking posteriorly . . . . . wallacei species-group

16

return to couplet #14

17

return to couplet #16

  • Mesosoma strongly longitudinally and transversely convex; colour black, mostly highly polished . . . . . 18
  • Mesosoma weakly to moderately convex; colour of body variable, never highly polished . . . . . 19

18

return to couplet #17

  • Petiole scale-like; dorsum armed with four teeth or spines of various configurations; sides of head with longitudinal carinae separating genae from ventral parts of head; propodeum without spines . . . . . Cyrtomyrma
  • Petiole columnar; dorsum armed with two horizontal spines that conform to shape of gaster; sides of head without longitudinal carinae; propodeum with pair of spines . . . . . mucronata species-group

19

return to couplet #17

  • Head and body with numerous, more-or-less erect hairs . . . . . 20

20

return to couplet #19

21

return to couplet #20

  • Frontal carinae not distinctly elevated; head and body reticulate-punctate . . . . . bicolor species-group

22

return to couplet #19

  • Antennal scapes and tibiae not distinctly flattened . . . . . 23

23

return to couplet #22

  • Pronotal humeri produced into distinct, acute spines; head appears normal in relation to rest of body; eyes convex . . . . . 24

24

return to couplet #23

  • Head and body deeply sculptured, foveolate-rugose . . . . . 25

25

return to couplet #24

  • Smaller species (HL <1.60); body light to very dark reddish-brown with appendages distinctly lighter . . . . . furcata species-group (only Polyrhachis rufipes)

26

return to couplet #24