Polyrhachis melanura

Polyrhachis melanura is a widespread and relatively common species along the northern and northeastern Australian seaboard. It ranges from the Kimberley region in the north-west, to Cape York Peninsula in the east, and south to Rundle Range near Gladstone. It seems to prefer open forests and savannah woodlands, where it builds nests in the ground with the entrances usually hidden under a rock or piece of wood.

Identification
Polyrhachis melanura is one of several species that is very similar to Polyrhachis penelope, but can be easily separated by its distinctly dull appearance, the swollen posterior face of its petiole (Fig. 7H) and its obliquely elevated petiolar spines. In contrast, the sculpturation in P. penelope is somewhat more lucid and semi-polished, the oblique posterior face of the petiole is only weakly convex (Fig. 8B) and the petiolar spines are horizontal.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  melanura. Polyrhachis (Hagiomyrma) melanura Kohout, 2013: 539, figs. 7G-H (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Type Material


Polyrhachis melanura was listed as P. ‘Hagio 11’ by Kohout (2000: 199).