Polyrhachis archeri

Polyrhachis archeri is a ground-nesting species, with the type series specimens collected foraging near a nest entrance hidden under a small rock. The distribution of P. archeri appears to be centred on the Gulf Country in north-western Queensland, however, it has recently been collected in the Northern Territory at Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) Nat. Park and Standley Chasm in the West MacDonnell Ranges.

Identification
Polyrhachis archeri is very similar to Polyrhachis anderseni, with most of the distinguishing characters listed in the remarks on the latter species. It is also similar to Polyrhachis hoffmanni, which shares the same type locality with P. archeri. Polyrhachis hoffmanni is easily separated by the presence of relatively long hairs over most body surfaces which are completely absent in both the other species.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  archeri. Polyrhachis (Hagiomyrma) archeri Kohout, 2013: 531, figs. 6C-D (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Type Material


Type deposition: Holotype and 1 paratype in, 1 paratype each in , , , and.