Polyrhachis reidi

Identification
Kohout (2007) - Polyrhachis reidi is somewhat similar to Polyrhachis sukarmani, with both having the dorsum of the head and mesosoma rather regularly, longitudinally striate. However, P. reidi is larger (HL 2.34 in P. reidi versus HL <1.75 in P. sukarmani), has distinctly longer appendages and has a more slender, rather elegant body.

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

Castes
Sexuals and immature stages unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  reidi. Polyrhachis reidi Kohout, 2007c: 13, figs. 9, 10 (w.) BORNEO.

Worker
Dimensions of holotype: TL c.9.17; HL 2.34; HW 1.75; CI 75; SL 3.12; SI 178; PW 1.37; MTL 3.38.

Mandibles with 5 teeth, distinctly reducing in length towards base. Anterior clypeal margin widely truncate medially, with truncate portion flanked by acute denticles. Clypeus in profile weakly concave anteriorly, with blunt median carina that is particularly distinct near anterior and basal margins; basal margin strongly impressed medially, laterally indicated by a clearly defined line breaking sculpturation. Frontal triangle indistinct. Frontal carinae sinuate, medially with margins distinctly raised; central area moderately wide, weakly concave with frontal furrow rather short and flat. Antennal scapes and funicular segments relatively long and distinctly slender. Sides of head in front of eyes almost straight, only weakly converging towards mandibular bases; behind eyes sides rounding into medially shallowly emarginated occipital margin. Eyes convex, in full face view clearly breaking lateral cephalic outline. Ocelli lacking. Mesosomal dorsum with deeply impressed promesonotal suture and metanotal groove. Pronotal dorsum wider than long; humeri narrowly rounded, with weakly raised margins; mesosomal dorsum with lateral margins converging posteriorly. Margins of propodeal dorsum anteriorly narrowly rounded and distinctly raised, margins terminating posteriorly in upturned, dorsally rounded, inward and somewhat downward directed ridges that form a narrowly open ‘v’ when viewed from behind; propodeal dorsum descending into oblique declivity through narrow gap between ridges. Petiole scale-like with anterior face straight, posterior face weakly convex; dorsal margin arcuate, acute, narrowly and shallowly emarginate medially, laterally with weakly upturned subacute teeth. Anterior face of first gastral segment straight at base, widely rounding onto dorsum of gaster.

Mandibles finely, mostly longitudinally striate with numerous piliferous pits. Clypeus, sides of head and central area reticulate-punctate; rest of head with reticulae more longitudinal with sculpturation becoming finely and regularly, longitudinally striate in front of eyes and on vertex. Mesosomal dorsum with more-or-less regular, longitudinal striae, those on mesonotum and propodeum somewhat converging posteriorly; sides of mesosoma and petiole finely reticulate. Gaster very finely shagreened. Whole of body with rather polished appearance.

Mandibular masticatory borders with numerous curved golden hairs. Anterior clypeal margin with several medium length setae medially and shorter setae fringing margin laterally. Clypeus near anterior margin with a single pair of rather short erect hairs. One or two hairs on anterior face of fore coxae and a few shorter hairs on ventral surfaces of middle and hind coxae, trochanters and femora. Gaster dorsally with only a few, medium length hairs lining apical segments; hairs more abundant on gastral venter. Extremely short, closely appressed pubescence rather diluted on dorsum of head and gaster.

Black; narrow band at mandibular masticatory borders and legs medium reddish-brown. Antennal scapes and tarsi very dark brown; funiculi dark brown at their bases, with subsequent segments progressively lighter reddish-brown towards funicular apices; condylae very light yellow. Gaster black, distinctly blotched with reddish-brown laterally, ventrally and apically.

Type Material
HOLOTYPE: INDONESIA, KALIMANTAN BARAT, Gn. Nahaloh, 00º58’N, 113º43’E, 27.xii.1996, C. Reid (WWF Exp.) (worker). Type deposition: Unique holotype in QMBA.