Polyrhachis orsylla

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

Kohout (2008) - Polyrhachis orsylla is undoubtedly closely related to Polyrhachis vindex. The species differ in the form of the pronotal spines which are shorter and only slightly longer than their basal widths in P. orsylla and about twice as long as their basal widths in P. vindex. Also, the sculpturation of pronotal dorsum in P. orsylla is distinctly finer, almost vague in some specimens, while in P. vindex it consists of rather distinct, more-or-less regular, striation.

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: Indonesia, Sulawesi.

Nomenclature

 *  orsylla. Polyrhachis orsyllus Smith, F. 1861b: 39, pl. 1, figs. 6, 7 (w.) INDONESIA (Sulawesi).
 * Viehmeyer, 1916a: 166 (q.).
 * Combination in P. (Myrma): Viehmeyer, 1916a: 166.
 * Junior synonym of vindex: Wheeler, W.M. 1924b: 254; Dorow, 1995: 41.
 * Status as species: Mayr, 1862: 684; Roger, 1863b: 8; Mayr, 1863: 445; Mayr, 1867a: 54 (redescription); Dalla Torre, 1893: 266; Emery, 1896d: 380; Viehmeyer, 1916a: 166; Karavaiev, 1927e: 48; Bolton, 1995b: 353; Kohout, 2008a: 264.
 * Current subspecies: javanensis, muscula, ritsemai.

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

Polyrhachis orsylla

Holotype worker in. Labelled “Tond.” (= Tondano, Sulawesi) and with a Donisthorpe type-label.