Polyrhachis uncaria

Polyrhachis uncaria appears a rather rare species known only from a few localities in central Queensland, with an apparently isolated population on Windsor Tableland, just northwest of Mossman. However, since the species is rare, the apparent gaps in its distribution may be reduced through additional surveys. It inhabits open forests and often occurs together with Polyrhachis ammon. The nesting habit of P. uncaria is unknown, but it probably nests in the ground like most other Hagiomyrma species.

Identification
Polyrhachis uncaria is very similar to Polyrhachis ammon but they can be separated by the following characters: clypeus in P. uncaria with median carina only weakly raised; clypeus virtually straight in profile, with only a very shallow depression behind anterior margin, terminating posteriorly in an almost flat basal margin; propodeal spines in lateral view directed downwards, following the curved outline of the mesosomal dorsum; petiole with spines subparallel; anterior face of petiole in lateral view rounding dorsally into rather strongly downwardly curved spines; posterior face of petiole distinctly swollen towards base; pubescence on dorsum of head virtually the same density as that on dorsum of mesosoma; very distinct, reddish-golden pubescence covering most of the dorsum of the gaster. In contrast, the clypeus in P. ammon has a distinctly raised median carina and is strongly sinuate in profile with a distinctly impressed basal margin, the propodeal spines are horizontal and aligned with the main axis of the body in lateral view, the anterior face of the petiole is straight and its posterior face is obliquely descending, the petiolar spines are distinctly divergent and horizontal in side view, pubescence is virtually lacking from the dorsum of head which is distinctly black in appearance and strongly contrasts with the pubescent dorsum of the mesosoma, and the reddish-golden patch of appressed gastral pubescence is limited to a median dorsal strip that extends posteriorly from the base of first gastral tergite but does not reach the apex of the gaster.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  uncaria. Polyrhachis (Hagiomyrma) uncaria Kohout, 2013: 523, figs. 4E-F (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Type Material


Type distribution: Holotype and 1 paratype in ; 2 paratypes each in, and.