Polyrhachis prometheus

This species has the widest distribution of all the P. micans-group species, ranging from the Pilbara and Kimberley regions of Western Australia and across the Northern Territory to Queensland, where it has been recorded as far south as Gladstone.

Identification
A member of the Polyrhachis micans species-group. Kohout (2013) - With its narrow, parallel-sided propodeal dorsum and long petiolar spines, P. prometheus is easily recognised within the micans species-group.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Castes
Male and immature stages unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  prometheus. Polyrhachis (Campomyrma) prometheus Santschi, 1920a: 566 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Worker
Kohout (2013) - (syntypes cited first): TL c. 7.46-8.82, 7.46-9.02; HL 1.79-2.09, 1.79-2.15; HW 1.62-1.93, 1.62-1.93; CI 90-92, 87-92; SL 1.84-2.03, 1.84-2.15; SI 105-113, 105-116; PW 1.43-1.68, 1.43-1.68; MTL 2.31-2.37, 2.31-2.74 (3+11 measured).

Queen
Kohout (2013) - TL c. 9.52-9.98; HL 2.12-2.25; HW, 1.81-1.93; CI 82-88; SL 1.96-2.06; SI 107-110; PW 200-2.15; MTL 2.65-2.74 (3 measured).

Queen with usual characters identifying full sexuality, including three ocelli, complete thoracic structure and wings. Pronotal humeri bluntly angular; mesoscutum in dorsal view virtually as long as wide, anterior margin widely rounded; median line distinct; parapsides flat, only weakly raised posteriorly; mesoscutum in profile with relatively low anterior face and flat dorsum. Mesoscutellum weakly convex, marginally elevated above dorsal plane of mesosoma. Propodeal dorsum with lateral margins poorly defined, strongly converging posteriorly and terminating in short, upturned, somewhat dorsolaterally directed teeth; propodeal dorsum between them rounding in uninterrupted line into steeply oblique declivity. Petiole rather similar to worker, spines distinctly shorter. Sculpturation similar to worker with head and mesoscutum finely, mostly longitudinally striate; propodeal dorsum finely reticulate-punctate; propodeal declivity and petiole very finely wrinkled, somewhat semipolished. Dorsum of gaster very finely reticulate-punctate, pilosity similar to worker, mandibles towards masticatory borders with numerous, relatively long, curved golden hairs; anterior clypeal margin medially with rather long, somewhat reddish-golden setae and numerous shorter setae fringing margin laterally. A pair of very short, bristle-like hairs on mesoscutum, venter of middle and hind coxae and femora; distinctly longer hairs on fore coxae and gastral venter and apex. Very short, silvery or pale golden, closely appressed pubescence sparingly distributed over most body surfaces. Colour identical to worker.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Andersen A. N., J. C. Z. Woinarski, and B. Hoffman. 2004. Biogeography of the ant fauna of the Tiwi Islands, in northern Australia's moonsoonal tropics. Australian Journal of Zoology 52: 97-110.
 * Andersen, Alan N., John C.Z. Woinarski and Ben D. Hoffman. 2004. Biogeography of the ant fauna of the Tiwi Islands, in northern Australia's monsoonal tropics. Australian Journal of Zoology 52: 97-110.
 * Kohout R. J. 2000. A review of the distribution of the Polyrhachis and Echinopla ants of the Queensland wet tropics (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 46: 183-209
 * Kohout R.J. 2013. A Review of the Polyrhachis gravis and micans species-groups of the subgenus Campomyrma Wheeler (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae). Memoirs of the QLD Museum-Nature 56: 92-117
 * Taylor R. W., and D. R. Brown. 1985. Formicoidea. Zoological Catalogue of Australia 2: 1-149.