Polyrhachis monista species-group

The species in this group are members of the subgenus Myrma.

Species

 * Polyrhachis monista
 * Polyrhachis spitteleri

Identification
Bolton (1973) - The two species constituting this group are characterised by their lack of margination on the alitrunk, the great development of the metanotal groove and the presence of coarse, usually yellowish bristles on the dorsal surfaces of the head and body. The sculpturation consists of a fine, dense striation on the head and alitrunk and a fine reticulation or reticulate-puncturation on the gaster. The propodeal spines are well developed and nearly or quite as long as those on the pronotum.

The group appears to be derived from the militaris group and this view is supported by the form of the petiole which is very similar to that found in Polyrhachis fissa, with the lateral spines rather better developed than the dorsals. In Polyrhachis monista itself the promesonotal suture has developed into a very broad, deep cleft so that the mesonotum in profile stands out as an isolated, subtriangular block. In Polyrhachis spitteleri the sutures are much less developed and the species is rather fissa-like apart from the lack of margination on the alitrunk and the very elongate propodeal spines.

Related Pages

 * Polyrhachis
 * subgenus Myrma
 * Key to Afrotropical Polyrhachis species-groups
 * Key to Afrotropical Polyrhachis species