Polyrhachis hector

Identification
A member of the Polyrhachis hector species group.

Kohout (2008) - Specimens of Polyrhachis hector feature a set of distinct, spur-like spines along the inner edge of the hind tibia, that are lacking in Polyrhachis abdominalis. The latter species is also distinctly more slender.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore. Oriental Region: India, Myanmar.

Nomenclature

 * rubiginosa. Formica ruiginosa Le Guillou, 1842: 316 (w.) BORNEO. [Junior primary homonym of Formica rubiginosa Latreille, 1802c: 170.] Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1990b: 760 (l.). Combination in Polyrhachis: Roger, 1863b: 7 (spelling emended to rubiginosa); in P. (Myrmhopla): Wheeler, W.M. 1919e: 130. Senior synonym of hector Smith, F. 1857a: 62, hence the latter the first available replacement name for rubiginosa Le Guillou: Dorow, 1995: 55.
 *  hector. Polyrhachis hector Smith, F. 1857a: 62 (w.) SINGAPORE. Imai, Brown, et al. 1984: 68 (k.). Combination in P. (Myrmhopla): Emery, 1925b: 193. [Earliest junior synonym of rubiginosa Le Guillou, 1842: 316 (junior primary homonym of rubiginosa Latreille, 1802c: 170) and hence first available replacement name: Dorow, 1995: 55.] Senior synonym of malignus, reversa: Bolton, 1974b: 174; of achilles: Dorow, 1995: 55.
 * malignus. Polyrhachis malignus Smith, F. 1858b: 70, pl. 4, fig. 44 (q.) PHILIPPINES. Combination in P. (Myrmhopla): Emery, 1925b: 195. Junior synonym of hector: Bolton, 1974b: 174.
 * achilles. Polyrhachis achilles Forel, 1893c: 24 (diagnosis in key) (w.) MYANMAR. Junior synonym of abdominalis: Bingham, 1903: 398; of hector: Dorow, 1995: 55.
 * reversa. Polyrhachis abdominalis var. reversa André, 1896b: 253 (w.) PHILIPPINES. Combination in P. (Myrmhopla): Emery, 1925b: 192. Junior synonym of hector: Bolton, 1974b: 174.

Polyrhachis hector

Holotype worker in. Labelled “SING. 9” (= Singapore) and with a Donisthorpe type-label.