Polyrhachis sulang

Polyrhachis sulang is known only from the type locality. Nothing is known about its nesting habits, but both specimens were collected by fogging and it is reasonable to suggest that they build their nests high in the rainforest canopy. (Kohout 2006)

Identification
Polyrhachis sulang closely resembles Polyrhachis saevissima and Polyrhachis gibba from Sulawesi but differs from both by the distinctly lower and more evenly rounded outline of its mesosoma. It also differs from Polyrhachis laevissima by the configuration of the petiolar spines. In Polyrhachis laevissima they are reduced to obtuse teeth, while in Polyrhachis sulang'' the lateral petiolar spines are distinctly elongate. From Polyrhachis gibba it differs by its considerably smaller size (HL 1.43-1.50 in Polyrhachis sulang versus 1.68-1.78 in Polyrhachis gibba) and by the sculpturation of the body which, in Polyrhachis gibba is rather coarse, notably on the head and sides of the mesosoma. The sculpturation in Polyrhachis sulang is much finer, with the head and mesosoma only superficially sculptured and highly polished. The legs, including the coxae, are distinctly light to medium red in Polyrhachis laevissima, reddish-brown with black coxae in Polyrhachis sulang and all virtually black in Polyrhachis gibba. (Kohout 2006)

Distribution
Known only form the type locality (see below).

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

Castes
Known only from the two worker types.

Nomenclature

 *  sulang. Polyrhachis sulang Kohout, 2006b: 115, figs. 7E-F (w.) BORNEO.

Worker
Dimensions (holotype cited first): TL c. 5.44, 5.85; HL 1.43, 1.50; HW 1.40, 1.47; CI 98, 98; SL 1.56, 1.62; SI 111, 110; PW 1.15, 1.22; MTL 1.93, 1.96 (2 measured).

Clypeus in profile evenly convex; basal margin only very weakly impressed medially. Frontal triangle shallowly impressed. Frontal carinae sinuate with very weakly raised margins; carinae widely separated, central area relatively broad and flat, with distinct frontal furrow. Sides of head in front of eyes weakly convex, converging towards mandibular bases; behind eyes sides rounding into convex occipital margin. Eyes weakly convex, in full face view not or only just reaching lateral cephalic outline. Ocelli lacking, relative position of median ocellus indicated by very shallow depression in sculpture. Pronotum in dorsal view with humeri produced anterolaterally into strong, triangular teeth. Mesosoma in profile convex anteriorly; promesonotal suture distinct; mesonotum and propodeum weakly convex; metanotal groove indistinct dorsally, laterally consisting of a short furrow above spiracle. Propodeum unarmed, declivity rather short, oblique. Petiole with anterior face weakly convex, posterior face distinctly convex; dorsum armed with pair of broad-based dorsal teeth and pair of longer, acute lateral spines. Subpetiolar process widely rounded posteriorly. Anterior face of first gastral segment very weakly concave, narrowly rounding onto dorsum of segment.

Mandibles finely, mostly longitudinally rugose with numerous piliferous pits. Head, mesosoma, petiole and gaster finely shagreened, rather polished. Sculpturation only marginally increasing in density laterally with sides of pronotum, meso- and metapleurae and petiole weakly reticulate. Numerous shallow punctures and piliferous pits scattered over all dorsal surfaces.

Mandibles with numerous curved and semierect, short hairs on masticatory borders and outer margins. Anterior clypeal margin fringed with a few, anteriorly directed, relatively short setae, distinctly reducing in length laterally. Somewhat longer, paired hairs arising near anterior and basal clypeal margins and along frontal carinae. A few very short, bristle-like hairs lining apices of antennal scapes; a few isolated, medium length hairs on anterior face of fore coxae. Apex of gaster with medium length, erect hairs along posterior margins of segments. Colour. Black; mandibular teeth, condylae and extreme tip of apical funicular segments reddish-brown. Legs, including coxae of mid- and hind legs, rather dark reddish-brown, fore coxae, bases of trochanters, proximal ends of tibiae and tarsi black.

Type Material
HOLOTYPE: BRUNEI, Tutong Distr., Bukit Sulang nr Lamunin, 20.viii.-10.ix.1982, fogging, N.E. Stork (B.M.1982-388) (worker). PARATYPE: data as for holotype (1 worker). Holotype in, paratype in.

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.
 * Pfeiffer M.; Mezger, D.; Hosoishi, S.; Bakhtiar, E. Y.; Kohout, R. J. 2011. The Formicidae of Borneo (Insecta: Hymenoptera): a preliminary species list. Asian Myrmecology 4:9-58