Polyrhachis procera

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

P. procera is similar to Polyrhachis continua but differs by its larger size and more pronounced striation of the head and thorax. P. procera has a clypeus that in profile is gently sinuate, with the anterior margin vaguely obtuse medially (entire in modern specimens). In contrast, the clypeus in P. continua is almost straight in profile, with only a shallow depression anteriorly and the anterior margin is distinctly truncate medially. The pronotal spines in P. procera are relatively long and slender and the lateral margins of mesonotal dorsum virtually flat and converge anteriorly. In P. continua the pronotal spines are distinctly shorter and the lateral margins of mesonotal dorsum are raised and converge posteriorly.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: New Guinea.

Castes
Male and immature stages unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  procera. Polyrhachis continua var. procera Emery, 1897d: 581 (w.q.) NEW GUINEA. Combination in P. (Myrma): Emery, 1925b: 200. Raised to species: Kohout, 1998: 519.

Worker
Kohout (2013) - Dimensions (syntype cited first): TL c. 12.40, 11.89-12.85 ; HL 2.90, 2.87-3.06; HW 1.93, 1.93-2.09; CI 66, 66-69; SL 4.28, 4.18-4.54; SI 222, 216-222; PW 1.86, 1.76-1.91; MTL 4.48, 4.43-4.79 (1+3 measured).

Queen
Kohout (2013) - Dimensions: TL c. 12.70; HL 2.93; HW 2.18; CI 74; SL 3.93; SI 180; PW 2.62; MTL 3.88 (1 measured).

Besides characters associated with full sexuality and the shorter pronotal and petiolar spines, the single alate queen resembles the workers very closely. The pilosity is somewhat denser, notably along the leading edge of the antennal scapes and the mesosomal dorsum.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * 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. 1998. New synonyms and nomenclatural changes in the ant genus Polyrhachis Fr. Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 42: 505-531
 * Kohout R. J. 2013. A review of the Polyrhachis continua species-group of the subgenus Myrma Billberg (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae) with keys and descriptions of new species. Australian Entomologist 40(1): 13-46.
 * Robson Simon Database Polyrhachis -05 Sept 2014
 * 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.