Polyrhachis diversa

Polyrhachis diversa differs from most other Hagiomyrma species by inhabiting rainforest, where it has been collected upon the trunks and foliage of trees.

Identification
A member of the tubifera species-group in the Polyrhachis subgenus Hagiomyrma. Kohout (2013) - Polyrhachis diversa is very similar to Polyrhachis tubifera and they share a relatively short and wide, evenly arched mesosoma, distinctly elongated propodeal spiracles and very short petiolar spines that are separated by the transversely wide dorsum of the petiole. However, P. diversa features rich, closely appressed, golden pubescence that is absent in P. tubifera. In contrast, P. diversa has virtually no pubescence on the dorsum of the gaster, while in P. tubifera the gastral dorsum is covered with rich golden pubescence that completely hides the underlying sculpturation.

Key to Polyrhachis Hagiomyrma group species

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  diversa. Polyrhachis (Hagiomyrma) diversa Kohout, 2013: 572, figs. 14A-B (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Worker
(holotype cited first): TL c. 6.35, 5.80-6.65; HL 1.56, 1.50- 1.68; HW 1.31, 1.28-1.47; CI 84, 84-89; SL 1.75, 1.70-1.90; SI 133, 127-136; PW 1.50, 1.34-1.62; MW 1.03; PMI 145; MTL 1.75, 1.68-1.96 (10 measured).

Anterior clypeal margin medially widely truncate and denticulate, without clearly defined median flange. Clypeus with median, anteriorly elevated carina; sinuate in profile with rather flat basal margin. Frontal carinae sinuate with weakly raised margins anteriorly, virtually flat posteriorly; central area relatively wide with flat frontal furrow. Sides of head converging anteriorly towards mandibular bases in straight line; behind eyes, sides rounding into relatively low occipital margin. Eyes weakly convex, in full face view almost reaching lateral cephalic outline. Ocelli lacking, relative positions indicated by shallow pits in cephalic sculpture. Mesosoma relatively broad and short, strongly convex in lateral view. Pronotal dorsum with humeri rounded; lateral margins weakly raised, converging towards deeply laterally impressed promesonotal suture. Metanotal groove indistinct; mesonotal and propodeal dorsa in lateral view forming uninterrupted, convex line before rounding into vertical declivity. Propodeal spiracles prominent, situated on laterally projecting tubercles. Lateral margins of propodeum strongly divergent, terminating in broad-based, relatively short, acute, spines. Petiole very narrow in lateral view with anterior face straight, posterior face weakly convex; dorsum transversely wide, armed with very short, divergent spines. Anterior face of first gastral tergite distinctly higher than full height of petiole, widely rounding onto dorsum.

Mandibles very finely, longitudinally striate with numerous piliferous pits. Head, mesosoma and petiole closely reticulate-punctate. Gaster very finely shagreened.

Mandibles at masticatory borders and along outer borders with numerous golden hairs. Anterior clypeal margin medially with several medium length, golden setae. Several short to medium length, mostly erect hairs on clypeus, along frontal carinae, vertex, anterior face of front coxae and venter of mid and hind coxae and femora; only a few very short, erect hairs on dorsum of pronotum and mesonotum. Dorsum of gaster with a few short hairs; apical segments and venter with numerous, medium length, posteriorly directed, golden hairs. Abundant closely appressed, rich golden pubescence on dorsum of head, mesosoma and petiole, completely hiding underlying sculpturation; pubescence less dense and pale golden or silvery on clypeus and sides of head, mesosoma and petiole. Short, silvery, closely appressed pubescence on venter of gaster; pubescence virtually absent from gastral dorsum.

Black; mandibular teeth and appendages dark reddish-brown; gaster medium reddish-brown, semi-polished.

Type Material


Type deposition: Holotype and 2 paratype workers in, 2 paratype workers each in , and.

Etymology
Derived from the Latin word diversus, meaning different, in reference to several characters separating P. diversa from the very similar P. tubifera.