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Polyrhachis viola
| Polyrhachis viola | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Formicinae |
| Tribe: | Camponotini |
| Genus: | Polyrhachis |
| Subgenus: | Myrma |
| Species: | P. viola |
| Binomial name | |
| Polyrhachis viola Zettel, 2013
| |
Nothing is known about the biology of Polyrhachis viola.
Identification
Zettel (2013) - A species of the Polyrhachis (Myrma) cyaniventris-group as defined by Sorger & Zettel (2009). Within this group recognised by combination of small body size (TL 8.1-9.0 mm, HW 1.75-2.02 mm), vivid blue shimmer of body tending to violet on gaster, mesosomal dorsum without setae, gracile and rather flat pronotal spines, distinct longitudinal striation on pro- and mesonotal disk, and relatively short propodeal dorsum (PPI 135-141).
Polyrhachis viola is most similar to Polyrhachis baca from Central Luzon with regard to size, setation and structure of the pronotal spines. It differs from that species by its more vivid metallic shimmer (tending to violet in P. viola and to green in P. baca), the presence of longitudinal striation on the entire dorsum of the mesosoma (restricted to propodeum in P. baca) and anterior third of gastral tergite 1 (absent in P. baca), larger PPI (135-141 vs 122) and by its fine and low transverse propodeal ridge (elevated in P. baca).
Distribution
Known only from two sites in the province of Surigao del Norte, Philippines.
Latitudinal Distribution Pattern
Latitudinal Range: 9.1° to 9.1°.
| North Temperate |
North Subtropical |
Tropical | South Subtropical |
South Temperate |
- Source: AntMaps
Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Philippines (type locality).
Distribution based on AntMaps
Distribution based on AntWeb specimens
Check data from AntWeb
Countries Occupied
| Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species. |
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Estimated Abundance
| Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species. |
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Biology
Castes
Known only from the worker caste.
Nomenclature
The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.
- viola. Polyrhachis (Myrma) viola Zettel, 2013: 7, figs. 1-4 (w.) PHILIPPINES.
Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.
Description
Worker
Measurements: Holotype: TL 8.3 mm, HW 1.81 mm, HL 2.22 mm, CI 82, SL 2.71 mm, SI 150, PSPD 2.26 mm, PPL 0.82 mm, PPW 1.11 mm, PPI 135, PTW 2.04 mm, MTL 2.76 mm. Paratype with smallest HW: TL 8.1 mm, HW 1.75 mm, HL 2.17 mm, CI 81, SL 2.60 mm, SI 149, PSPD 2.27 mm, PPL 0.79 mm, PPW 1.08 mm, PPI 137, PTW 2.05 mm, MTL 2.58 mm. Paratype with largest HW: TL 9.0 mm, HW 2.02 mm, HL 2.43 mm, CI 83, SL 2.89 mm, SI 143, PSPD 2.55 mm, PPL 0.93 mm, PPW 1.31 mm, PPI 141, PTW 2.22 mm, MTL 2.94 mm.
Body with blue shimmer; tending to violet, most strongly on gaster. Legs slightly darker than head, mesosoma and gaster, antennae almost black. Head finely and densely punctured or reticulate; frons and vertex with fine longitudinal striation in addition. Venter of head with 4 (range 3-12) setae. Vertex with 2 (2-6) setae. Frons with fine median furrow and 8 (5-10) setae. Genae with 0 (0) setae. Clypeus with 8 (6-12) setae on disk. Mesosoma dorsally with 0 (0) setae, longitudinally striate, with dense microsculpture between striation. Pronotal spines gracile, in cross-section rather flat, their bases not elevated above anterior pronotal disk. Propodeum with dorsal and posterior faces separated by almost straight, low ridge. Sides of mesosoma densely punctured, with only traces of very fine longitudinal striation. Gaster with isodiametric reticulum, overlaid in anterior third of tergite 1 by very fine longitudinal striation; number of setae low, tergite 1 with 2 (1-6) setae, tergite 2 with 3 (3-12) setae; setae increasing in length and number towards apex of abdomen.
Type Material
Philippines, Surigao del Sur Province, municipality of Tandag, Mangkagangi Island (N 9°06’ E 126°13’, 0-40 m a.s.l.) off Mindanao Island. Holotype (worker; in University of San Carlos, Cebu City) and six paratypes (currently held in author’s collection and in Natural History Museum Vienna) labelled “Philippines: Surigao d. Sur\ Tandag, Mangkagangi Isl.\ 21.10.2010, leg.\ C.V. Pangantihon (P363)”. One paratype worker labelled “Philippines: Surigao d. Sur\ Lanuza, Sibahay, Magkawas\ Falls 26.10.2010, leg.\ C.V. Pangantihon (P367)” (in author’s collection).
Etymology
The species is named for its colour which resembles that of a violet (or Viola) flower; the epithet is used as a noun in apposition.