Polyrhachis unicuspis

Specimens have been collected from fogging samples in cacao and natural forest.

Identification
A member of the Polyrhachis thrinax species group.

Kohout (2008) - Polyrhachis unicuspis is characterised by a relatively long middle petiolar spine and rudimentary lateral spines. However, in the available queens, the lateral spines are developed as short, but distinct and acute spines.

The two thrinax-group species known from Sulawesi are distinguished as follows:
 * Frontal carinae distinctly elevated; propodeal spines upturned; lateral petiolar spines shorter than middle spine, but always present; body generally very dark reddish-brown (in copal) . . . . . Polyrhachis cincta


 * Frontal carinae with margins only narrowly and weakly elevated; propodeal spines horizontal; lateral petiolar spines very short, often rudimentary; body generally very light to medium yellowish-or reddish-brown . . . . . Polyrhachis unicuspis

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

Nomenclature

 *  unicuspis. Polyrhachis unicuspis Emery, 1898b: 240, fig. 13 (w.) INDONESIA (Sulawesi). Combination in P. (Myrmothrinax): Emery, 1925b: 184.

Type Material
Kohout (2008) - Holotype worker. INDONESIA, SULAWESI, Toli-Toli (H. Fruhstorfer), (examined).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Chapman, J. W., and Capco, S. R. 1951. Check list of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Asia. Monogr. Inst. Sci. Technol. Manila 1: 1-327
 * Emery C. 1898. Descrizioni di formiche nuove malesi e australiane. Note sinonimiche. Rendiconti delle Sessioni della Reale Accademia delle Scienze dell'Istituto di Bologna (n.s.)2: 231-245.
 * Emery C. 1901. Formiciden von Celebes. Zoologische Jahrbücher. Abteilung für Systematik, Geographie und Biologie der Tiere 14:565-580.
 * 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.