Polyrhachis spinifera

Identification
A member of the Polyrhachis continua species group in the subgenus Myrma

Differs from Polyrhachis conops and Polyrhachis continua by a distinctly wider pronotal dorsum and rather abundant semierect to erect pilosity which is almost completely lacking in these other two species.

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

Castes
Male and immature stages unknown.

Nomenclature

 * hirsutula. Polyrhachis continua var. hirsutula Emery, 1911c: 256 (w.) NEW GUINEA. Combination in P. (Myrma): Emery, 1925b: 200. Junior synonym of spinifera: Kohout, 1998: 520.
 *  spinifera. Polyrhachis conops var. spinifera Stitz, 1911a: 376, fig. 22 (w.) NEW GUINEA. Combination in P. (Myrma): Emery, 1922b: 200. Raised to species and senior synonym of hirsutula: Kohout, 1998: 520.

Worker
Kohout (2013) - Dimensions of conops spinifera and continua hirsutula syntypes: TL c. 11.44-12.20; HL 2.81-2.96; HW 2.04-2.15; CI 72-75; SL 3.88-3.96; SI 183-194; PW 1.96-2.31; MTL 3.93-4.03 (3 measured).

Queen
Kohout (2013) - (not previously described). Dimensions: TL c. 12.50-12.60; HL 2.84-2.93; HW 2.06-2.15; CI 72-73; SL 3.78-3.83; SI 178-183; PW 2.53-2.62; MTL 3.68-3.83 (2 measured).

Larger than worker with usual characters identifying full sexuality, including three ocelli, complete thoracic structure and wings. Pronotal spines shorter. Mesoscutum only marginally wider than long; lateral margins strongly converging anteriorly into narrowly rounded anterior margin; median line distinct; parapsides virtually flat, only weakly raised posteriorly; mesoscutum in profile with widely rounded anterior face and weakly convex, posteriorly almost flat, dorsum. Mesoscutellum only weakly convex, marginally elevated above dorsal plane of mesosoma. Propodeum with lateral margins distinctly rounded anteriorly and weakly raised towards middle of their length; margins terminating posteriorly in short ridges that extend medially for a short distance with dorsum between them descending into declivity in medially uninterrupted line. Petiole with dorsal spines distinctly shorter. Sculpturation, pilosity, pubescence and colour scheme virtually identical to worker.

Type Material
Syntype workers. Type locality: New Guinea, Tana (Moszkowski),, (examined).

Polyrhachis continua var. hirsutula Emery, 1911: 256. Syntype workers. Type locality: New Guinea, R. Digul (Digool on locality label) (= Digoel River), (examined).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Emery C. 1911. Formicidae. Résultats de l'expédition scientifique néerlandaise à la Nouvelle-Guinée en 1903 sous les auspices de Arthur Wichmann. Nova Guinea 5: 531-539.
 * Emery C. 1911. Formicidae. Résultats de l'expédition scientifique néerlandaise à la Nouvelle-Guinée en 1907 et 1909 sous les auspices de Dr. H. A. Lorentz. Nova Guin. 9: 249-259
 * 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. 1998. New synonyms and nomenclatural changes in the ant genus Polyrhachis Fr. Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 42: 505-531
 * Kohout R. J. 2013. A review of the Polyrhachis continua species-group of the subgenus Myrma Billberg (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae) with keys and descriptions of new species. Australian Entomologist 40(1): 13-46.
 * Robson Simon Database Polyrhachis -05 Sept 2014
 * Stitz H. 1911. Australische Ameisen. (Neu-Guinea und Salomons-Inseln, Festland, Neu-Seeland). Sitzungsberichte der Gesellschaft Naturforschender Freunde zu Berlin 1911: 351-381.
 * Viehmeyer H. 1912. Ameisen aus Deutsch Neuguinea gesammelt von Dr. O. Schlaginhaufen. Nebst einem Verzeichnisse der papuanischen Arten. Abhandlungen und Berichte des Königlichen Zoologischen und Anthropologische-Ethnographischen Museums zu Dresden 14: 1-26.
 * Wilson E. O. 1959. Some ecological characteristics of ants in New Guinea rain forests. Ecology 40: 437-447.