Polyrhachis electra

Polyrhachis electra appears to be restricted to the Wet Tropics region of northern Queensland with all specimens having been collected at high altitude localities above 700 m in elevation. It is a ground-nesting species with entrances usually hidden under a rock.

Identification
Polyrhachis electra is somewhat similar to Polyrhachis penelope, but differs in having the propodeal spiracles situated on laterally projecting tubercles. However, the spiracular tubercles are shorter and less conspicuous than those in Polyrhachis diversa and Polyrhachis tubifera. Polyrhachis electra differs from P. penelope in the shape of the petiolar spines which are longer and obliquely elevated in P. electra, and horizontal in P. penelope. In addition, the pubescence in P. electra is rather golden and abundant over all dorsal body surfaces, while it is much diluted and more silvery or pale golden in P. penelope.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  electra. Polyrhachis (Hagiomyrma) electra Kohout, 2013: 537, figs. 7C-D (w.q.m.) AUSTRALIA.

Type Material


Type deposition: Holotype, most paratype workers and paratype queens in, 3 paratype workers and paratype queen in ; 2 paratype workers each in , , , , , , and.

Polyrhachis electra was listed earlier by Kohout (2000: 199) as ‘Hagio 04’.