Polyrhachis kazuoi

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
A member of the Polyrhachis wallacei species group.

Kohout (2008) - Polyrhachis kazuoi  is relatively similar to Polyrhachis wallacei, sharing with that species the characteristics of the wallacei-group, including a lack of lateral mesonotal prominences and indistinct pronotal margins. However, the pronotum of P. wallacei has minute humeral teeth that are completely lacking in P. kazuoi. The pronotal and mesonotal dorsa are very finely, longitudinally striate in P. kazuoi, while in P. wallacei the whole dorsum of the body is irregularly, shallowly reticulate. The body of P. wallacei is light to medium yellowish-brown with the clypeus distinctly lighter. In contrast, P. kazuoi is generally darker, reddish-brown, with the sides of mesonotum, propodeum and petiole almost black.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Indonesia, Sulawesi.

Nomenclature

 *  kazuoi. Polyrhachis kazuoi Kohout, 2008a: 291, figs. 11E-F (w.) INDONESIA (Sulawesi).

Worker
(holotype cited first): TL c. 5.74, 5.39-5.74; HL 1.47, 1.43-1.47; HW 1.25, 1.18-1.25; CI 85, 82-85; SL 1.84, 1.72-1.84; SI 147, 146-148; PW 0.87, 0.81-0.87; MTL 1.93, 1.78-1.93 (3 measured).

Anterior clypeal margin with median truncatation flanked laterally by distinct, acute denticles. Clypeus with poorly defined, blunt median carina; in profile clypeus weakly convex posteriorly narrowly rounding into relatively shallow basal margin, laterally margin indicated by a sculpture-breaking line. Frontal triangle distinct. Frontal carinae sinuate with narrowly raised, well separated margins; central area rather wide; frontal furrow clearly impressed. Sides of head in front of eyes straight, converging anteriorly towards mandibular bases; behind eyes sides rounding into convex occipital margin. Eyes convex, relatively large, in full face view clearly breaking lateral cephalic outline. Ocelli lacking; positions indicated by shallow punctures in sculpturation. Pronotal dorsum with poorly defined median depression; lateral pronotal margins narrowly rounding into distinct promesonotal suture. Dorsum of mesosoma with lateral margins converging into distinct, posteriorly bowed, metanotal groove. Propodeum with lateral margins terminating in short, upturned, weakly diverging, acute spines. Petiole with anterior and posterior face straight, parallel in lateral view; dorsum virtually flat, armed with a pair of slender, acute, widely diverging spines. Anterior face of first gastral segment distinctly higher than full height of petiole, widely rounding onto dorsum.

Mandibles very finely, longitudinally striate with numerous piliferous pits. Head densely reticulate-punctate with sculpturation on clypeus and central area somewhat finer. Pronotal dorsum with irregular longitudinal striae that curve outwards posteriorly. Mesonotum regularly, longitudinally striate. Sides of mesosoma, propodeal dorsum and petiole distinctly reticulate-punctate. Gaster finely shagreened, rather polished.

Mandibles with numerous curved, medium length, golden hairs near masticatory borders and numerous short, appressed hairs towards mandibular bases. Anterior clypeal margin with a long median seta and numerous short setae fringing margin laterally. Several medium length, paired hairs near anterior and basal clypeal margins, along frontal carinae and single pair on vertex. Two long hairs on anterior faces of fore coxae; single shorter hairs on venter of trochanters and femora. Gaster with several medium length hairs lining posterior margins of apical segments, hairs more numerous over gastral venter.

Generally medium reddish-brown with mandibles, clypeus and central area distinctly lighter. Mandibular teeth and antennae, except apical segments, dark reddish-brown. Frontal carinae narrowly lined with black. Mesosoma becoming progresively darker posteriorly, with sides of mesonotum, propodeum, petiole and coxae very dark, almost black. Legs dark reddish-brown with trochanters and apical tarsal segments a shade lighter. Gaster medium reddish-brown, with posterior margins of segments widely lined with dark brown.

Type Material
HOLOTYPE: SULAWESI SELATAN, Mt Kaleakan, Tana Traja, 02°58’S, 119°54’E, 1080-1140m, 17.x.1999, K. Ogata & K. Masaoka #57 (worker). PARATYPES: data as for holotype (2 workers). Holotype in (QMT144151), 1 paratype each in  and.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Kohout, R. J. 2008. A review of the Polyrhachis ants of Sulawesi with keys and descriptions of new species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 52:255-317.