Polyrhachis tricuspis

Identification
Kohout (2008) - I have examined the unique holotype queen of P. tricuspis and compared it directly with a single available queen of Polyrhachis ternatae from Seram I. The latter is a part of a series of specimens collected by W.M. Mann (Ceram, Piroe, 1937 NGS SI Exp.), with accompanied workers that have been compared with the syntype of P. ternatae and considered conspecific. In the original description, Karawajew compared P. ternatae (=P. tricuspis) with Polyrhachis frauenfeldi from Java, however, it is more similar to Polyrhachis aequalis from the Philippines. Both species have short, but distinct humeral teeth, almost identical sculpturation of the mesosomal dorsum, subequal petiolar spines and a reddish-brown body and appendages. They mainly differ in the form of the median portion of the anterior clypeal margin that, in P. ternatae, has a widely open, V-shaped emargination, while it is simply truncate in P. aequalis.

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

Nomenclature

 *  tricuspis. Polyrhachis tricuspis André, 1887: 284 (q.) INDONESIA (Ambon I.). Combination in P. (Myrmothrinax): Emery, 1925b: 184. Senior synonym of ternatae: Kohout, 2008a: 259.
 * ternatae. Polyrhachis (Myrmothrinax) ternatae Karavaiev, 1933b: 105, fig. 7 (w.) INDONESIA (Ternate I.). Junior synonym of tricuspis: Kohout, 2008a: 259.

Type Material
Kohout (2008) - Holotype queen (alate). INDONESIA, Ambon I.,, (examined).