Polyrhachis vestita species-group

[[Media:Kohout 2008a.pdf|Kohout, R.J. 2008a. 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. PDF]]

Sulawesi has several endemic Myrma species that constitute the vestita species-group characterised by a scale-like petiole that lacks spines and has a dorsal margin with only blunt teeth or a shallow median emargination. This petiolar configuration resembles that of Polyrhachis abrupta from Halmahera, but this species differs from those of the vestita-group in having strongly truncate eyes and a distinct carina running from the eyes towards the occipital corners. A petiole lacking dorsal spines is also characteristic of the inermis-group, but its constituent species differ from those of the vestita-group in having their dorsal petiolar margin smooth and entire. In addition, members of the vestita-group are some of the largest species of Myrma, while the inermis-group includes some of the smallest.

Species

 * Polyrhachis cognata
 * Polyrhachis gobini
 * Polyrhachis masaokai
 * Polyrhachis ogatai
 * Polyrhachis vestita