Polyrhachis transiens

The carton referred to in the data on the type-series probably represents a mixture of silk, vegetable fragments and fungal hyphae, as is encountered in many other species. The presence of scale insects in the nest may be an artifact, but strongly suggests that scales play a part in the food requirements of this species. (Bolton 1973)

Identification
A member of the Polyrhachis revoili species-group. Bolton (1973) - The species presents a condition between the viscosa- and revoili-groups, as is discussed under notes in the revoili-group.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Uganda.

Nomenclature

 *  transiens. Polyrhachis transiens Bolton, 1973b: 340, figs. 47, 59 (w.q.) UGANDA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 7.2, HL 1.63, HW 1.40, CI 86, SL 1.81, SI 129, PW 1.18, MTL 1.85.

Anterior clypeal margin extended into a very narrow, truncated, subrectangular lobe; the margin on either side of the lobe gently concave. Eyes convex, situated on the posterior third of the side of the head. Sides of the head in front of the eyes shallowly convex, very gradually converging anteriorly. Behind the eyes the sides round rather abruptly into the shallowly convex occipital margin. Pronotum armed with a pair of spines, distinctly marginate between the spines and the promesonotal suture; the latter well developed, weakly incised across the dorsum. Mesonotum not distinctly marginate but with an obtuse angle between the dorsum and the sides, which is best observed in profile. Metanotal groove represented only by a faint line, which just breaks the dorsal sculpturation. Propodeum even more weakly and obtusely margined than the mesonotum, the lines followed by the angulations lying inside those of the mesonotal angulations and considerably less distinct. Propodeum armed with a pair of minute teeth which are slightly extended towards the centre of the segment but do not form a pair of ridges between the dorsum and the declivity. Petiole with a pair of long dorsal spines and a pair of lateral spines which are shorter and less stout. Anterior face of first gastral segment concave medially to accommodate the convex posterior face of the petiole.

All dorsal surfaces of head, body, and the antenna! scapes with numerous short, fine, erect, greyish hairs. A short but dense greyish pubescence present on all surfaces of the body.

Clypeus finely and superficially reticulate. Head finely and densely striate-rugose longitudinally. Alitrunk similar to head but the rugae much finer and more dense, especially on the propodeal dorsum. Gaster very finely and densely reticulate-punctate. Colour black, the apical half of the antennal funiculi yellow-brown. Femora black-brown, the tibiae and tarsi dark brown.

Paratype workers as holotype, but with a range of dimensions: TL 7.0-7.4, HL 1.63-1.67, HW 1.29-1.40, CI 78-84, SL 1.70-1.89, SI 132-134, PW 1.14-1.21, MTL 1.76-1.93. (4 measured).

Queen
Paratype answering to description of worker but with the usual differences associated with caste and with the pronotal margination reduced, extending only half the length of the segment. Angulation absent from the propodeum, the dorsum rounding into the sides. Pronotal spines and propodeal teeth reduced, the latter to a pair of minute, laterally extended ridges.

Type Material
Holotype worker, UGANDA : Kampala, carton nest between citrus leaves over Lepidasaphes scale, no. 0427, 24.ix.1930 (H. Hargreaves). Paratypes. 4 workers, 1 queen, same data as holotype (BMNH).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton B. 1973. The ant genus Polyrhachis F. Smith in the Ethiopian region (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Entomology 28: 283-369.
 * Robson Simon Database Polyrhachis -05 Sept 2014