Polyrhachis inermis

Identification
A member of the Polyrhachis inermis species group in the subgenus Myrma

Kohout (2008) - The holotype worker of P. inermis is very similar to specimens from Dumoga-Bone NP and other recently collected material from elsewhere in Sulawesi. However, the modern specimens are generally more slender than the holotype, due to a narrow pronotal dorsum. Their pronotal spines are also slightly less divergent, with the lateral pronotal margins at the bases of spines less emarginate. In addition they have rather distinct longitudinal striation on the mesosomal dorsum which is rather vague in the holotype, notably on the pronotal dorsum. The eyes are fairly convex in the holotype and clearly exceed the outline of the head in full face view, while in most of the recently collected specimens the eyes do not, or only marginally, exceed the lateral cephalic outline.

In Sulawesi there are two inermis-group species:


 * Black throughout . . . . . Polyrhachis inermis


 * Body black; tibiae light to medium reddish-brown with rest of legs distinctly darker . . . . . Polyrhachis orsylla

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Sulawesi. Oriental Region: Thailand.

Nomenclature

 *  inermis. Polyrhachis inermis Smith, F. 1858b: 68, pl. 4, figs. 25, 26 (w.) INDONESIA (Sulawesi). Combination in P. (Myrma): Emery, 1925b: 204. Senior synonym of bryanti: Bolton, 1974b: 176.
 * bryanti. Polyrhachis (Myrma) bryanti Donisthorpe, 1942e: 707 (w.) BORNEO. Junior synonym of inermis: Bolton, 1974b: 176.

Type Material
Kohout (2008) - Holotype worker. INDONESIA, SULAWESI, (examined).