Polyrhachis fulakora

Nothing is known about the biology of  Polyrhachis fulakora

Identification
Although described as a variety of Polyrhachis rastellata, Polyrhachis fulakora is most similar to Polyrhachis ugiensis also from the Solomons. I have directly compared numerous syntypes of both species and believe that they represent separate, although very similar, species. In outline, the pronotal dorsum of Polyrhachis ugiensis is much more convex, especially anteriorly, where it rises from the pronotal collar almost vertically for a short distance and then continues in a convex outline to the promesonotal suture. In contrast, the pronotal dorsum in Polyrhachis fulakora is only weakly convex from the pronotal collar to the promesonotal suture. Also, the lateral petiolar spines in Polyrhachis ugiensis are greatly reduced, while the petiolar spines in Polyrhachis fulakora are more-or-less subequal. Both species differ from the closely allied Polyrhachis johnsoni in having the greatest width of the pronotal dorsum at, or about, the middle of its length. In Polyrhachis johnsoni the greatest width of the pronotal dorsum is across, or just below the humeri. (Kohout 2006)

Distribution
Endemic to the Solomon Islands.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Solomon Islands.

Nomenclature

 *  fulakora. Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) rastellata var. fulakora Mann, 1919: 389 (w.) SOLOMON IS. Raised to species: Kohout, 2006b: 139.

Worker
Length 6.5 mm.

A very large series of workers from many colonies agree with rastellata in structure, having the pronotum broadest in front and with rounded humeri, the epinotum entirely without spines and the lateral spines of the petiole well developed and acute, but differ in the color of the legs, which are very dark reddish brown, instead of blood-red. This difference is constant throughout the series and warrants this variety.

Type Material
Syntype workers, and  - as reported by Kohout (2006).

Type Locality Information
SOLOMON IS, Ysabel I., Fulakora, col. W.M. Mann.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * 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.
 * Mann W. M. 1919. The ants of the British Solomon Islands. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 63:273-391.
 * Mann, W.M. 1919. The ants of the British Solomon Islands. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology of Harvard College 63: 273-391
 * Wheeler W.M. 1935. Check list of the ants of Oceania. Occasional Papers of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum 11(11):1-56.