Polyrhachis albertisi

Nothing is known about the biology of Polyrhachis albertisi.

Identification
Characterised by distinctly toothed or bilobed pronotal humeri and closely resembles Polyrhachis levior, with the mesosomal structure similar in both species. However, the humeral prominences are nearly equal in Polyrhachis levior, while in Polyrhachis albertisi the anterior lobe forms a blunt, but distinct tooth (similar to that in Polyrhachis aruensis) and the posterior lobe is only weakly defined. The propodeal spines in Polyrhachis albertisi are short and strongly upturned, while in Polyrhachis levior they are longer, more massive and somewhat dorso-ventrally compressed. (Kohout 2006)

Distribution
Endemic to New Guinea

This taxon was described from New Guinea.

Worker
Nigra, nitida, subtilissime reticulate, obsolete sparse punctate, pube microscopica fere nulla, supra parce pilosa. Caput latum. Thorax dorso valde convexo, pronti angulis anticis dente valido, apice haud acuto armatis, metanoto denticulo utrinque minute. Squama acute quadridentata. L. 6 1/2 - 7 mm.

Queen
Operariae similis, at forties sculpta, thoracis angulis anticis obtusis, haud dentatis, dentibus metanoti majoribus, sqamea minus acutis. L. 9 mm. Alae colore solito tinctae.

Type Material
Syntype workers, queen – as reported by Kohout (2006).

Type Locality Information
NEW GUINEA, Sorong, col. L.M. D’Albertis.

Additional References
Emery, E. 1887. Catalogo delle formiche esistenti nelle collezioni del Museo Civico di Genova. Parte terza. Formiche della regione Indo-Malese e dell’ Australia. Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Genova 4(2):209-258.

Kohout, R. J. 2006. Review of Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae) of Australia, Borneo, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands with descriptions of new species. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum. 52:87-146.