Polyrhachis levior

Polyrhachis levior is known only by the unique holotype (missing its head) from Aru Island, Indonesia (Kohout 2006). Nothing is known about this species' biology.

Identification
Its distinctly bilobed pronotal humeri resemble those of Polyrhachis albertisi. The mesosoma features a rather steeply raised pronotum and weakly convex mesonotum and propodeum. The promesonotal suture is distinct but the metanotal groove lacking, its position indicated only by a slight depression in the mesosomal outline. The propodeal spines are relatively long, somewhat dorso-ventrally compressed, directly dorso-laterally and posteriorly, with their bases set well apart. The dorsum of the petiole is furnished with four sharp teeth of equal length. (Kohout 2006)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia. Indo-Australian Region: Indonesia, New Guinea. Palaearctic Region: China.

Abundance
Known only from the single type specimen.

Castes
Known only from the (type) worker.

Nomenclature

 * laevissimus. Polyrhachis laevissimus Smith, F. 1859a: 141 (w.) INDONESIA (Aru I.). [Junior primary homonym of laevissima Smith, above.] Replacement name: levior Roger, 1863b: 8.
 *  levior. Polyrhachis levior Roger, 1863b: 8. Replacement name for laevissimus Smith, F. 1859a: 141. [Junior primary homonym of laevissima Smith, 1858b: 64.] Combination in P. (Cyrtomyrma): Forel, 1915b: 110. Subspecies of rastellata: Forel, 1902h: 527. Revived status as species: Donisthorpe, 1938c: 248; Taylor & Brown, D.R. 1985: 137. See also: Kohout, 2006b: 130.

Polyrhachis laevissimus

Holotype worker in. Labelled “Aroo 25” (= Aru I., New Guinea) and with a Donisthorpe type-label, and also with a Donisthorpe det. label “levior Roger.” Head of holotype is missing.

Worker
Length 2 3/4 lines. Black, very smooth and shining; the legs ferruginous, with the coxae, articulations, and the tarsi black. The thorax: not flattened above, or margined at the sides; the division between the pro- and mesothorax distinct, that between the meso and metatborax not discernible, the latter with two erect acute spines; the scale of the petiole with four short acute spines. Abdomen globose.

Type Material
Holotype worker. ; Junior homonym of P. laevissima Fr. Smith, 1858:64 – as reported in Kohout (2006).

Type Locality Information
INDONESIA, Aru Island, col. A.R. Wallace.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Forel A. 1915. Results of Dr. E. Mjöbergs Swedish Scientific Expeditions to Australia 1910-13. 2. Ameisen. Ark. Zool. 9(16): 1-119
 * Guénard B., and R. R. Dunn. 2012. A checklist of the ants of China. Zootaxa 3558: 1-77.
 * Hua Li-zhong. 2006. List of Chinese insects Vol. IV. Pages 262-273. Sun Yat-sen university Press, Guangzhou. 539 pages.
 * Janda M., G. D. Alpert, M. L. Borowiec, E. P. Economo, P. Klimes, E. Sarnat, and S. O. Shattuck. 2011. Cheklist of ants described and recorded from New Guinea and associated islands. Available on http://www.newguineants.org/. Accessed on 24th Feb. 2011.
 * Kohout R.J. 2006. Review of Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) Forel of Australia, Borneo, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands with descriptions of new species. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 52: 87-146.
 * Li Z.h. 2006. List of Chinese Insects. Volume 4. Sun Yat-sen University Press
 * Taylor R. W. 1987. A checklist of the ants of Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization) Division of Entomology Report 41: 1-92.
 * Taylor R. W., and D. R. Brown. 1985. Formicoidea. Zoological Catalogue of Australia 2: 1-149.
 * Viehmeyer H. 1912. Ameisen aus Deutsch Neuguinea gesammelt von Dr. O. Schlaginhaufen. Nebst einem Verzeichnisse der papuanischen Arten. Abhandlungen und Berichte des Königlichen Zoologischen und Anthropologische-Ethnographischen Museums zu Dresden 14: 1-26.
 * Viehmeyer H. 1913. Ameisen aus dem Kopal von Celebes. Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung 74: 141-155.