Polyrhachis widodoi

Known only from the type material. Nothing is known about the biology of this species.

Identification
Polyrhachis widodoi is very similar to Polyrhachis achterbergi with many characters virtually identical in both species. However, Polyrhachis widodoi differs in several features, including the shape of the anterior clypeal margin. The margin in Polyrhachis widodoi is deeply and widely emarginate medially with the emargination laterally flanked by distinct teeth. In contrast the anterior clypeal margin in Polyrhachis achterbergi is has a central, anteriorly projecting, blunt tooth. Additionally, the mesosoma in Polyrhachis widodoi is distinctly flatter in lateral view and the lateral petiolar spines shorter than those in Polyrhachis achterbergi.

This taxon was described from Borneo.

Castes
Only known from workers.

Worker
Dimensions (holotype cited first): TL c. 6.85, 7.11; HL 1.93, 2.00; HW 2.12, 2.03; CI 110, 101; SL 1.87, 1.96; SI 88, 96; PW 1.50, 1.47; MTL 2.37, 2.43 (2 measured).

Head broad, distinctly wider than long. Anterior clypeal margin with rather deep, open ‘V’ shaped emargination, laterally flanked by distinct teeth. Clypeus in profile virtually straight medially, smoothly curving posteriorly into shallow basal margin; flat median line, clearly interrupting clypeal sculpturation, running posteriorly from centre of emargination to base of weakly impressed frontal triangle. Frontal carinae short with very weakly raised margins; central area with distinct, rather shallow frontal furrow. Sides of head almost straight in front of eyes; behind eyes widely rounding into weakly medially concave occipital margin. Lateral carina separating gena from ventral parts of head absent. Eyes rather flat, situated well forward and inward from occipital corners; in full face eyes not reaching lateral cephalic outline. Ocelli indistinct in holotype, in paratype relativepositions indicated by indistinct, shallow punctures in sculpture. Mesosoma in lateral view similar to that in Polyrhachis achterbergi, but distinctly lower and less strongly convex, more closely resembling that of Polyrhachis bruehli. In dorsal view pronotal humeri less massive than in Polyrhachis achterbergi with pronotum narrower and spines somewhat more slender and acute. Promesonotal suture distinct, metanotal groove weakly indicated by shallow depression. Petiole armed with four spines; lateral spines longer than dorsal pair, but distinctly shorter than those in Polyrhachis achterbergi. Sculpturation of head, mesosoma and gaster consisting of uniform reticulate puncturation, identical to that in Polyrhachis achterbergi and Polyrhachis bruehli. Gaster very finely shagreened.

Pilosity, pubescence and colour as in Polyrhachis achterbergi.

Queen
Unknonwn

Male
Unknown

Type Material
Holotype in ; paratype in.

Type Locality Information
HOLOTYPE: EAST MALAYSIA, SABAH, Gunung Rara, Tawau, 200-300m, 27.ii.1996, primary rf., canopy fogging, Erwin Widodo (worker). PARATYPE: Danum Valley Conserv. Area, Segama River trail, 04°57’N, 117°48’E, c. 150m, 11.xi.2000, rf., R.J. Kohout acc. 2000.217 (worker).