Polyrhachis salebrosa

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
A member of the Polyrhachis cleophanes species group.

Kohout (2008) - Polyrhachis salebrosa is relatively similar to Polyrhachis cleophanes. Both have the head, mesosoma and petiole deeply rugose. Polyrhachis salebrosa is generally larger (HL 2.06-2.12 versus 1.84-1.96 in P. cleophanes) and has the dorsum of petiole transversely convex between distinctly elevated, shorter spines. In contrast, the dorsum of the petiole in P. cleophanes is almost flat, with the spines distinctly longer and more-or-less horizontal. The pronotal and propodeal spines in P. cleophanes are also distinctly longer and the gastral pubescence is much finer, more appressed and tidy, forming a clearly defined median line, similar to that in sexspinosa-group species.

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

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  salebrosa. Polyrhachis salebrosa Kohout, 2008a: 296, figs. 8G-H (w.) INDONESIA (Sulawesi).

Worker
(holotype cited first): TL c. 8.16, 8.57; HL 2.06, 2.12; HW 1.56, 1.62; CI 76, 76; SL 2.46, 2.59; SI 158, 160; PW 0.90, 0.97; MTL 2.68, 2.78 (2 measured).

Anterior clypeal margin with narrow, median incision. Clypeus with distinctly elevated median carina and depressions running on both sides parallel with anterior margin; clypeus straight in profile with shallowly impressed basal margin, laterally basal margin indicated by a thin, sculpture-breaking line. Frontal triangle indistinct. Frontal carinae sinuate, with highly elevated, laminate margins; central area deeply excavated with frontal furrow replaced anteriorly by rather distinct carina. Sides of head in front of eyes weakly convex, converging towards mandibular bases; behind eyes sides rounding into highly convex occipital margin. Eyes relatively small and highly convex, protuberant; in full face view clearly breaking lateral cephalic outline. Ocelli lacking. Pronotal dorsum convex; humeri armed with pair of spines that arise well inside the lateral pronotal outline in dorsal view; spines projecting dorsolaterally then curving forward and weakly downward. Mesonotum convex in outline; metanotal groove somewhat concealed by overlying sculpturation. Propodeal dorsum with acute, dorsolaterally and posteriorly directed spines, their inner margins forming an evenly curved ‘U’-shape in frontal view; propodeal declivity oblique in lateral view. Petiole biconvex in profile; anterior face with distinct teeth near base; dorsum armed with pair of slender, acute, dorsolaterally and posteriorly directed, divergent spines with their bases situated below summit of transversely convex dorsum. Anterior face of first gastral segment widely rounding onto dorsum.

Mandibles with a few longitudinal striae near masticatory borders, rather smooth and polished towards bases with very shallow piliferous pits. Clypeus distinctly reticulate-punctate with several deep punctures. Laminate margins of frontal carinae very finely punctate, rather polished. Head, mesosoma and petiole very coarsely and deeply reticulate-rugose, almost foveolate in parts. Antennal scapes and legs very densely reticulate-punctate. Spines rather smooth and polished. Gaster very finely punctate and highly polished on exposed surfaces.

Mandibles with a number of short, curved, golden hairs at masticatory borders and more erect hairs along outer margins. Anterior clypeal margin with a few long and several short, golden setae, with distinct reddish tint, medially. Antennae with numerous, relatively short, erect hairs along leading edges and a few hairs along inferior margins. Whole body, including gaster and legs, with abundant medium length, mostly erect, variously curved, whitish or pale golden hairs, longest hairs almost equal to greatest diameter of eye. Relatively abundant, somewhat uneven and rough, rather long, appressed, silvery and white pubescence on dorsal body surfaces, except tips of spines. Pubescence on gastral dorsum medially converging; both specimens with pubescence missing from various parts of dorsum, notably from shoulders of first gastral segment, probably due to abrasion.

Colour. Black; mandibular teeth, condylae and extreme tips of apical funicular segments reddish-brown.

Type Material
HOLOTYPE: SULAWESI SELATAN, Kayulagi nr Mangktana, 02°23’S, 120°47’E, 600m, 20.x.1999, K. Ogata & K. Masaoka # 79) (worker). PARATYPE: data as for holotype (1 worker). Holotype in (QMT144155); 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.