Polyrhachis gagates

Identification
A member of the Polyrhachis militaris species-group.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Angola, Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Biology
A ground-nesting species that inhabits savannah. One nest was completely excavated during Ant Course 2016 in Gorongosa NP, Mozambique. This yielded one egg-laying queen and at least 5448 workers. This nest was located at the base of a big shrub and a large number of foragers used its many branches to get access to surrounding vegetation. Replete workers have a swollen abdomen full of fat.



Nomenclature

 *  gagates. Polyrhachis gagates Smith, F. 1858b: 71, pl. 4, fig. 14 (w.) SOUTH AFRICA. Forel, 1886f: 194 (q.); Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1953e: 207 (l.). Combination in P. (Myrma): Santschi, 1914b: 139. Subspecies of schistacea: Arnold, 1924: 745. Revived status as species: Emery, 1925b: 199; Bolton, 1973b: 305. Senior synonym of clariseta, congolensis (and its junior synonym indefinita), nigriseta, obsidiana and material of the unavailable name acheron referred here: Bolton, 1973b: 305.
 * clariseta. Polyrhachis nigriseta var. clariseta Santschi, 1910c: 400 (w.) CONGO. Combination in P. (Myrma): Santschi, 1914b: 140. Junior synonym of gagates: Bolton, 1973b: 305.
 * congolensis. Polyrhachis gagates var. congolensis Santschi, 1910c: 399 (w.) CONGO. Combination in P. (Myrma): Santschi, 1914b: 139. Subspecies of schistacea: Forel, 1913h: 357; Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 1001. Senior synonym of indefinita: Santschi, 1924b: 224. Junior synonym of gagates: Bolton, 1973b: 305.
 * nigriseta. Polyrhachis nigriseta Santschi, 1910c: 399 (w.) CONGO. Combination in P. (Myrma): Santschi, 1914b: 140. Subspecies of gagates: Forel, 1913b: 349; of schistacea: Forel, 1913h: 357; Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 1002. Revived status as species: Santschi, 1914b: 140; Emery, 1925b: 199. Junior synonym of gagates: Bolton, 1973b: 305.
 * indefinita. Polyrhachis gagates r. indefinita Forel, 1913b: 349 (w.) DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO. Combination in P. (Myrma): Santschi, 1914b: 139. Junior synonym of congolensis: Santschi, 1924b: 224.
 * obsidiana. Polyrhachis (Myrma) gagates subsp. obsidiana Emery, 1921e: 21 (w.) GABON. Junior synonym of gagates: Bolton, 1973b: 305.