Polyrhachis trophima

Distribution
This taxon was described from Indonesia (Seram Island).

Nomenclature

 *  trophima. Polyrhachis trophimus Smith, F. 1863: 14 (w.) INDONESIA (Seram I.). Combination in P. (Hagiomyrma): Emery, 1925b: 185; in P. (Chariomyrma): Donisthorpe, 1932c: 469; Dorow, 1995: 21; in P. (Hedomyrma): Kohout, 2013: 491.

Type Material


Polyrhachis trophimus

Holotype worker in. Labelled “Cer. E” (= Seram I.) and with a Donisthorpe type-label.

Description
Kohout (2013): Polyrhachis trophima was placed by Dalla Torre (1893: 271), Emery (1925: 185) and Chapman & Capco (1951: 267) in the subgenus Hagiomyrma and by Donisthorpe (1932: 469), Bolton (1995: 359) and Dorow (1995: 21) in the subgenus Chariomyrma. I have examined the unique holotype of P. trophima and found it remarkably similar to Polyrhachis calliope Emery, a species described in 1900 from New Guinea. It features pronotal humeri armed with short, but distinct spines and a petiole with a flat dorsum, a combination of characters identifying members of the subgenus Hedomyrma Forel.

Additional References

 * Kohout, R.J. 2013. Revision of Polyrhachis (Hagiomyrma) Wheeler, 1911 (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum, Nature 56, 487-577.