Key to Polyrhachis vestita-group species

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. and Kohout, R.J. 2008b. A new Polyrhachis (Myrma) vestita-group species from Sulawesi. Zoologische Mededeelingen, Leiden. 82: 297-302.

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• Polyrhachis vestita species-group
• subgenus Myrma
• Polyrhachis

1

• Larger species (HL >3.10); dorsum of petiole acute in lateral view . . . . . 2

• Smaller species (HL <2.75); dorsum of petiole rounded in lateral view . . . . . Polyrhachis gobini

2

return to couplet #1

• Antennal scape with distinct process near apex . . . . . Polyrhachis ogatai

• Antennal scape without process near apex . . . . . 3

3

return to couplet #2

• Whole body with mostly brown or black hairs and distinctly rusty-brown, closely adpressed pubescence . . . . . 4

• Whole body with mostly yellow or golden hairs and white, greyish or golden adpressed pubescence . . . . . 5

4

return to couplet #3

• Pronotal spines very short, only about twice as long as their basal widths; propodeal dorsum about as wide as long . . . . . Polyrhachis vanachterbergi

• Pronotal spines long, at least three times as long as their basal widths; propodeal dorsum distinctly wider than long . . . . . Polyrhachis cognata

5

return to couplet #3

• Body pubescence mostly white or grey; petiole distinctly transverse with dorsal margin medially emarginate and jagged, laterally delimited by distinct, upturned, acute denticles . . . . . Polyrhachis masaokai

• Body pubescence mostly rich golden or pale yellow; petiole relatively narrow with dorsal margin arcuate, entire; lateral teeth usually very short or ill-defined . . . . . Polyrhachis vestita