Polyrhachis neglecta

Specimens have been collected from fogging samples.

Identification
A member of the Polyrhachis flavicornis species group.

Kohout (2008) - In general appearance, P. neglecta is rather similar to Polyrhachis fruhstorferi and the most obvious difference between the species is their relative size (HL 1.53-1.75 in P. neglecta versus HL 1.34-1.40 in P. fruhstorferi). The eyes in P. neglecta are distinctly more convex laterally, which is most evident when they are viewed from behind, while the eyes are evenly convex and somewhat larger in P. fruhstorferi. The petiolar spines are distincly stronger, longer and more posteriorly curved in P. neglecta, while they are more stubby and dorsally directed in P. fruhstorferi. Polyrhachis neglecta is almost uniformly black, with only the appendages very dark, reddish-brown. In contrast, the body in P. fruhstorferi is black, with the mandibles, antennae, legs and gaster medium reddish-brown. All the dorsal body surfaces in P. neglecta are virtually devoid of pilosity, while in P. fruhstorferi the dorsal surfaces of the head and gaster bear numerous, short erect hairs. Polyrhachis fruhstorferi also has the dorsum of gaster covered with a distinct pile of short, appressed hairs that are lacking in P. neglecta.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Indonesia, Sulawesi.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  neglecta. Polyrhachis neglecta Kohout, 2008a: 285, figs. 7E-F (w.) INDONESIA (Sulawesi).

Worker
(holotype cited first): TL c. 6.90, 5.90; HL 1.72, 1.53; HW 1.40, 1.25; CI 81, 82; SL 1.87, 1.72; SI 133, 138; PW 1.18, 1.00; MTL 2.00, 1.72 (2 measured).

Anterior clypeal margin widely truncate medially; truncate portion weakly notched in middle and flanked by distinct denticles. Clypeus with blunt median carina, more distinct posteriorly; clypeus convex in profile but rather flat in middle, posteriorly rounding into moderately impressed basal margin; laterally basal margin forms a distinct, sculpturation breaking line. Frontal triangle distinct. Frontal carinae sinuate with highly raised margins; central area concave with distinct frontal furrow. Sides of head in front of eyes straight, distinctly converging towards mandibular bases; behind eyes sides rounding into convex, medially emarginate occipital margin. Eyes in full face view clearly breaking lateral cephalic outline; when viewed from behind, eyes distinctly more convex laterally than medially (Fig. 7 E). Ocelli lacking. Pronotal dorsum in dorsal view with humeri armed with distinct teeth; lateral pronotal margins emarginated behind teeth and rounded posteriorly; greatest width of pronotal dorsum at about mid-length of segment. Mesonotal dorsum with lateral margins raised and converging posteriorly; anterior corners narrowly and posterior corners widely rounded. Propodeal dorsum virtually parallel sided with lateral margins terminating posteriorly in very distinct, upturned, acute teeth; posterior margins of teeth continued inwards and somewhat downwards for a short distance, failing to meet in middle where propodeal dorsum meets vertical declivity in an uninterrupted curve. Petiole armed with two strong, relatively long, dorsolaterally and posteriorly directed spines; apices of spines very weakly diverging in dorsal view, almost parallel; dorsal margin between spines with two, rather indistinct, blunt tuberculae. Anterior face of first gastral segment shallowly concave, distinctly higher than dorsal petiolar margin.

Mandibles very finely reticulate with numerous piliferous pits. Head, mesosoma and petiole rather distinctly reticulate-punctate. Gaster more finely sculptured, very closely punctate. Sculpturation on pronotal and mesonotal dorsa somewhat more longitudinally directed. Antennal scapes and legs finely reticulate-punctate.

Mandibular masticatory borders with a few, curved, rather short, golden hairs. Truncate portion of anterior clypeal margin with single, long, anteriorly directed seta medially and distinct fringe of very short setae laterally. Antennal scapes with a few, short hairs fringing apices. Fore coxae and gaster apically and ventrally with several, relatively long, erect hairs. Dorsal surfaces of head, mesosoma, petiole and gaster, except apical antennal segments, completely hairless. White, closely appressed pubescence on clypeus, anterior face of fore coxae and ventral aspect of gaster, where it is somewhat longer and rather diluted; pubescence vitually absent elsewhere.

Colour. Black, with narrow, transverse, light reddish band at bases of mandibular teeth. Antennae and legs very dark reddish-brown with condylae, tip of last funicular segments, distal margins of trochanters and apical tarsal segments light, yellowish-brown.

Type Material
HOLOTYPE: SULAWESI UTARA: Dumoga-Bone NP, 230m, 10.iii.1985, fog., N.E. Stork et al. (worker). PARATYPE: data as for holotype, 30.ix.1985, fog., (N.E. Stork et al.) (worker). Holotype in, paratype in.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Kohout, R. J. 2008. A review of the Polyrhachis ants of Sulawesi with keys and descriptions of new species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 52:255-317.