Polyrhachis luctuosa

Nothing is known about the biology of Polyrhachis luctuosa.

Identification
Polyrhachis luctuosa is closely related to Polyrhachis inflata, with both distinguished from all other known New Guinean species by the very closely reticulate-punctate sculpturation of their body, giving them a distinct, opaque appearance. However, Polyrhachis inflata is easily distinguished from Polyrhachis luctuosa by its exceptionally high pronotal dorsum which bears a well-defined, median, longitudinal furrow along its summit. The pronotum in Polyrhachis luctuosa is not swollen and has no furrow on its summit. (Kohout 2006)

Distribution
From Kohout (2006): Polyrhachis luctuosa is apparently very rare and, besides the type, only one additional specimen was collected by R.W. Taylor at Hayfield nr Maprik (East Sepik Prov., Papua New Guinea).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: New Guinea.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  luctuosa. Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) luctuosa Emery, 1921e: 25 (w.) NEW GUINEA. See also: Kohout, 2006b: 131.

Worker
Noire, pattes tendant au roux, absolument mate, densement et finement ponctuee sur presque tout le corps et sur les membres; les mandibules, l'extremite et le dessous du gastre sont plus ou moins luisants. Pubescence tres courte et eparse. Des poils dresses blanchatres, courts, sont semes sur la tete et le gastre.

Pareille pour la forme du corps a P. rastellata, mais le corselet est encore plus court et plus bossu. Les dents laterales de l'ecaille ne sont guere plus longues que les mediales.

L. environ 6,5 mm.

Type Material
NEW GUINEA. Holotype worker. - as reported by Kohout (2006).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Emery C. 1921. Le genre Polyrhachis. Classification; espèces nouvelles ou critiques. Bulletin de la Société Vaudoise des Sciences Naturelles 54: 17-25.
 * Janda M., G. D. Alpert, M. L. Borowiec, E. P. Economo, P. Klimes, E. Sarnat, and S. O. Shattuck. 2011. Cheklist of ants described and recorded from New Guinea and associated islands. Available on http://www.newguineants.org/. Accessed on 24th Feb. 2011.
 * 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.