Polyrhachis aruensis

Nothing is known about the biology of Polyrhachis aruensis.

Identification
Polyrhachis aruensis differs from Polyrhachis laevissima in having the mesosomal dorsum evenly convex in profile. The petiolar spines are very distinct, slender and acute and the subpetiolar process bluntly angular posteriorly. In contrast the profile of the mesosomal dorsum in Polyrhachis laevissima features a rather convex pronotum, with the mesonotum, propodeum and declivity descending posteriorly in a very weakly bowed line. The petiolar spines are rather short and blunt and the subpetiolar process is very weakly rounded posteriorly. (Kohout 2006)

Distribution
Endemic to the Indonesian's Aru Islands.

This taxon was described from New Guinea.

Abundance
Rare. Specimens collected by W. Karawajew (Wokan and Wammar Is) are the only material of the species known, apart from the syntypes. (Kohout 2006)

Nomenclature

 *  aruensis. Polyrhachis laevissima var. aruensis Viehmeyer, 1912: 9 (w.) NEW GUINEA. Combination in P. (Cyrtomyrma): Emery, 1925b: 207. Raised to species: Kohout, 2006b: 122.

Worker
Unterscheidet sich von dem Typus vor allem durch die scharf zugespitzten und langgezogenen Zahne del' Schuppe (ahnlich wie bei rastellata). Beine mehr oder weniger pechbraun, abschussige Fluche des Epinotums ungefahr in der Hohe der Metathoraxstigmen jederseits mit einem sehr kleinen, stumpfen, buckelformigen Zahnrudiment, Thorakalseiten kraftiger und rauher skulpiert und darum matter. Die zahnformigen Vorderecken des Pronotums ebenso wie die Zahnrudimente des Epinotums in ihrer Grobe variabel.

L. 5-6 mm (in Anzahl in meiner Sammlung).

Type Material
Syntype workers - as reported by Kohout (2006).

Type Locality Information
INDONESIA, Aru Island, Wammar, Dobo, col. C. Ribbe 1883.