Polyrhachis narendrani

The type was found in a disturbed area with small plants and trees. Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Karmaly (2004) - This new species resembles Polyrhachis convexa in the following features: 1. Antennae 12 jointed; 2 Clypeus tectiform; 3. Thorax flat above, sides margined along their whole length. However this new species differs from Polyrhachis convexa in having: 1. Pronotal spine long (in Polyrhachis convexa pronotal spine short); 2. Legs with spines and erect hairs (in Polyrhachis convexa legs devoid of spines and erect hairs); 3. Petiolar node rhomboidal, biconvex with two long spines on dorsolateral edges guarded by two small teeth on sides (in Polyrhachis convexa petiolar node broad, biconvex with four short subequal spines, equidistant from each other).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 *  narendrani. Polyrhachis (Myrma) narendrani Karmaly, 2004: 540, figs. 1, 2 (w.) INDIA. [Named incorrectly in key as travencoricus: Karmaly, 2004: 547; unavailable name.]

Worker
TL = 6.2 mm; HL = 1.8 mm; HW = 1.4 mm; CI = 77 mm; SL = 1.6 mm; SI = 114.28 mm; ED= 0.2 mm; PW = 2.4 mm; AL =2.2mm.

Colour: Head, thorax, node of pedicel, gaster black; legs more or less castaneous red; silky silvery hairs; pubescence white; tibial spines reddish yellow; tarsal spur reddish brown.

Sculpture and Hair pattern: Head, thorax and abdomen shining; head and thorax minutely regulose; abdomen more minutely regulose than head and thorax; pubescence adpressed, sparse on body, dense on antennae and on thorax laterally; silky silvery erect hairs scattered on head, thorax and gaster, more abundant on apex of gaster underneath.

Head: Very convex in front and at the sides, tending to be more convergent in front of the eyes, rounded posteriorly; mandibles sub linear, 5-toothed; clypeus carinate, tectiform, its anterior margin arcuate with a shallow median lobe; frontal lobes small, subparallel; frontal carinae prominent; parallel; antenna! carinae distinct; scrobe indistinct, torulus rounded, horizontal; antennal insertion separated from posterior clypeal margin by a distinct gap, antennae short, slender, 12 jointed; antenna! scape extending little beyond the top of head; all segments of funiculus longer than broad, 1st funicular segment longer than remaining segments, last segment thickened and club shaped. Relative measurements of length of antennal segments: Scape = 1.6 mm; F1 = 0.9 mm; F1 = 0.35 mm; F3 = 0.2 mm; F4 = 0.2 mm; F5 = 0.2 mm; F6 = 0.2 mm; F7 = 0.2 mm; F8 = 0.15 mm; F9 = 0.2 mm; F10 = 0.2 mm; Club (F11) = 0.3 mm; Eyes moderately large placed, more towards the posterior end, slightly above the lateral sides.

Thorax: More or less flat above; sides margined along their whole length; pronotum broad posteriorly, narrower anteriorly, two strong long erect spines on anterolateral angles of pronotum, pointing forwards; pro-mesonotal suture very distinct; mesometanotal impressions present, but no distinct suture; metanotal groove indistinct; metanotum unarmed; propodeum anteriorly margined and anterior corners projecting upwards, thorax deeply emarginate at pro-meso and meso-metanotal stutures; propodeum situated at a level below the pro-mesonotum, emarginate, the dorsum very oblique and sloping into the vertical and weakly concave declivity, ends with a carina; legs slender, elongate; tibiae cylindrical with a spine beneath; tarsi with tarsal spurs.

Abdomen: In front view the sides of petiole diverge from the base, pass through the rounded angle and then converge dorsally to the base of a pair of curved spines; petiolar node rhomboidal, biconvex slightly arched at middle, bearing two long spines on dorsolateral edges guarded by two small teeth on sides; long spines slightly curved backwards at their tips. Gaster globose, with four visible segments, first gastral segment larger, covering more than half of its length, apex of last gastral segment with circular anal orifice guarded by guard hairs.

Type Material
Holotype: Worker. INDIA: Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram - Palode, Karmaly. K. A., 10.iii-2000. (DZCU).

Etymology
Named in honor of Pro. T. C. Narendran.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Karmaly K. A. 2004. A new species and a key to species of Polyrhachis Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from India. Pp. 539-551 in: Rajmohana, K.; Sudheer, K.; Girish Kumar, P.; Santhosh, S. (eds.) 2004. Perspectives on biosystematics and biodiversity. Prof. T.C. Narendran commemoration volume. Kerala: Systematic Entomology Research Scholars Association, xxii + 666 pp.