Polyrhachis decellei

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Rigato (2016) - A medium sized militaris group species with mesosoma lacking standing hairs, but coated with long, dense pubescence, which is distinctly longer than on head and gaster, and with a pair of long standing hairs on the head vertex, and, in profile, relatively small and round eyes.

Bolton (1973) - This medium-sized, forest zone species is closely related to Polyrhachis concava and its immediate allies, rather more distantly so to Polyrhachis alluaudi and the smaller species similar to it. The nearest related species is Polyrhachis esarata, from which it may be separated by the shape of the eye, the construction of the petiole, the outline of the propodeal marginations and the shape of the anterior clypeal margin. With esarata the present species shares a single character not found in any other member of the complex of species centring on concava, namely the presence of a pair of erect hairs upon the dorsum of the head.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Central African Republic, Ghana.

Nomenclature

 *  decellei. Polyrhachis decellei Bolton, 1973b: 301, figs. 46, 54 (w.) GHANA.

Worker
Rigato (2016) - HL 1.63, HW 1.13, CI 69, SL 1.97, SI 174, FW 0.40, FI 35, PW 1.08, ML 2.18, HTL 2.08.

Holotype. TL 7.8, HL 1.64, HW 1.18, CI 72, SL 2.14, SI 181, PW 1.02, MTL 2.20.

Anterior clypeal margin arcuate, with a small, shallow impression medially. Head broadest in front, the sides convex in front of the eyes; the latter very convex and protuberant. Sides of head behind the eyes rounding immediately into the convex occipital margin. Dorsum of pronotum very shallowly transversely concave, almost flat; mesonotum similar but the propodeal dorsum shallowly convex medially. Alitrunk marginate on each side throughout its length, the margination interrupted at the sutures. Pronotum armed with a pair of long, acute spines, the outer edges of which are continuous with the pronotal marginations. Propodeum with a pair of small but acute teeth. Promesonotal suture distinct; metanotal groove well developed and impressed. In side view the propodeal margin arises almost vertically from the metanotal groove, passes through a convex curve and then slopes quite steeply backwards to the propodeal teeth. In dorsal view the marginations of the pronotum and mesonotum converge posteriorly whilst those of the propodeum are slightly convex in outline and gradually diverge posteriorly. Petiole armed with a pair of long dorsal spines, divergent and recurving dorsally over the base of the first gastral segment. Lateral armament of petiole a pair of short, triangular, acute teeth. Anterior face of first gastral segment not concave medially.

Erect hairs present only on the anterior clypeal margin and the gastral apex, and with a single pair of hairs arising from the dorsum of the head, on a level with the posterior borders of the eyes. In the holotype the left hair of the pair is missing but the pit showing the former site of its insertion is distinct. Pubescence quite dense on the alitrunk, with a weak golden or yellowish tinge dorsally, more greyish in colour on the sides. Gastral pubescence exceedingly fine, short a:nd sparse.

Entire body, including head, finely and densely reticulate, dully shining. Colour black, the legs a very dark brown-black.

Paratype worker as holotype, somewhat smaller; TL 7.4, HL 1.60, HW 1.16, CI 72, SL 2.10, SI 181, PW 1.02, MTL 2.12. Pubescence of alitrunk rather more dense and golden than in the holotype; the propodeal teeth slightly more pronounced.

Type Material
Holotype worker, GHANA: Eastern Region, Begoro, 10.vi.1968 (C. A. Collingwood). Paratype worker, GHANA : Eastern Region, Bunso, 7.vii.1969 (D. Leston) (UG, University of Ghana, Legon).