Polyrhachis

One of the most speciose of all ant genera.

Identification Keys
Australian subgenera

See the nomenclature section below for links to more Polyhrachis keys.

Nomenclature

 *  POLYRHACHIS [Formicinae: Camponotini]
 * Polyrhachis Smith, F. 1857a: 58. Type-species: Formica bihamata, by original designation.
 * [Polyrhachis Shuckard, in Swainson & Shuckard, 1840: 172. Nomen nudum.]
 * Polyrhachis subgenus of Myrma: Wheeler, W.M. 1911c: 860; Wheeler, W.M. 1911f: 170.
 * [Myrma subgenus of Polyrhachis: Forel, 1915b: 106; Forel, 1917: 251; Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 702, 993; Emery, 1925b: 198 (see note under Myrma).]
 * [ Polyrachis Arnold, 1924: 741, incorrect subsequent spelling].
 * Subgenera of Polyrhachis (alphabetical order with synonyms indicated): nominal plus Aulacomyrma (= Johnia), Campomyrma, Chariomyrma, Cyrtomyrma, Hagiomyrma, Hedomyrma (= Dolichorhachis, = Morleyidris), Hemioptica, Hirtomyrma, Myrma (= Anoplomyrma, = Hoplomyrmus, = Pseudocyrtomyrma), Myrmatopa (= Irenea), Myrmhopla (= Cephalomyrma, = Florencea), Myrmothrinax (= Evelyna).
 * [All subgenera were given as provisional junior synonyms of Polyrhachis by Brown, 1973b: 178-184. The list was repeated in Hölldobler & Wilson, 1990: 19 with all subgenera listed as junior synonyms. They reverted to subgeneric status in Bolton, 1994: 50; see under individual entries. The entry of Chariomyrma, Hagiomyrma and Hedomyrma under the synonymy of Polyrhachis by Taylor & Brown, D.R. 1985: 131, is not considered as confirmation as the three subgenera all range outside the Austral Region.]

Dorow (1995) provides the latest revision of the species into subgenera and species-groups. These hierarchical arranged names are not supported by any strong evidence that these groups between the genus and species level represent monophyletic units. Regardless, much of the framework for these names has been in place for some time and they do serve as a welcome convenience for organizing the complex diversity of species. Rudy Kohout has been revising species by geographic areas and within specific subgenera and species-groups for more than two decades. Kohout's ongoing taxonomic work has largely followed the arrangement of Dorow (1995) with some modifications becoming necessary as more species have been described.

Aulacomyrma

Campomyrma

Chariomyrma

Cyrtomyrma  - key to Australian Cyrtomyrma species

Hagiomyrma

Hedomyrma 

Hemioptica 

Hirtomyrma

Myrma 

Myrmatopa 

Myrmhopla  - key to Australian Myrmhopla species


 * arachne species group


 * armata species group


 * bicolor species group


 * cephalotes species group


 * cleophanes species group


 * cryptoceroides species group


 * daphne species group


 * dives species group


 * flavoflagellata species group - key to flavoflagellata species


 * furcata species group


 * hector species group


 * mucronata species group


 * nigriceps species group


 * ochracea species group


 * sexspinosa species group


 * viehmeyeri species group

Myrmothrinax 

Two additional species groups that are not assigned to any of the subgenera listed above.


 * lamellidens species group


 * bihamata species group

Additional References
Dorow, W. H. O. 1995. Revision of the ant genus Polyrhachis Smith, 1857 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae) on subgenus level with keys, checklist of species and bibliography. Cour. Forschungsinst. Senckenb. 185:1-113.

Kohout, R.