Polyrhachis simpla

Identification
A member of the Polyrhachis continua species group in the subgenus Myrma

Polyrhachis simpla is very similar to Polyrhachis spinifera and Polyrhachis sericeopubescens, however, it differs from both in having the lateral margins of the pronotal dorsum virtually flat, while they are distinctly upturned in the other species. Also, the lateral margins of mesonotum distinctly converge posteriorly in P. simpla, while they are subparallel in both P. spinifera and P. sericeopubescens. (Kohout 2013)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Indonesia, New Guinea.

Castes
Kohout (2013) reported "Sexuals apparently present in Karavaiev collection in Kiev, Ukraine ."

Nomenclature

 * simplex. Polyrhachis (Myrma) conops subsp. simplex Karavaiev, 1927e: 45 (w.q.m.) INDONESIA (Aru I.). [Junior primary homonym of simplex Mayr, above.] Replacement name: simpla Santschi, 1928h: 139.
 *  simpla. Polyrhachis (Myrma) conops st. simpla Santschi, 1928h: 139. Replacement name for simplex Karavaiev, 1927e: 45. [Junior primary homonym of simplex Mayr, 1862: 682.] Raised to species: Kohout, 1998: 520.

Worker
Kohout (2013) - Dimensions of conops simpla syntypes: TL c. 9.78-11.54; HL 2.59-2.77; HW 1.87-2.02; CI 71- 73; SL 3.63-3.88; SI 192-196; PW 1.96-2.17; MTL 3.83-4.03 (4 measured).

Type Material
Syntype workers, queens, males. Type locality: Indonesia, Aru Is: Wammar (V. Karavaiev),, (examined). Junior primary homonym of P. simplex Mayr, 1862: 682.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Kohout R. J. 1998. New synonyms and nomenclatural changes in the ant genus Polyrhachis Fr. Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 42: 505-531
 * Kohout R. J. 2013. A review of the Polyrhachis continua species-group of the subgenus Myrma Billberg (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae) with keys and descriptions of new species. Australian Entomologist 40(1): 13-46.
 * Robson Simon Database Polyrhachis -05 Sept 2014