Polyrhachis integra

Nothing is known about the biology of Polyrhachis integra.

Identification
Polyrhachis integra is similar to Polyrhachis goramensis from Indonesia. Both have a rather massive pronotum with widely rounded sides, the mesosomal dorsum rapidly descending from the summit of the pronotum to the declivity and short, but distinct, propodeal spines. However, they are easily distinguished, with Polyrhachis integra having a distinctly higher pronotum, the mesonotum virtually straight in lateral view, and the lateral petiolar spines reduced to short teeth. In Polyrhachis goramensis the mesonotal dorsum is convex in lateral view and the widely diverging lateral petiolar spines are more than twice as long as the dorsal pair. (Kohout 2006)

Distribution
Known only from the type locality: INDONESIA, Irian jaya.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: New Guinea.

Castes
Known only from the worker.

Nomenclature

 *  integra. Polyrhachis integra Kohout, 2006b: 129, figs. 10A-B (w.) NEW GUINEA.

Worker
Dimensions: TL c. 6.30; HL 1.65; HW 1.48; CI 90; SL 2.09; SI 141; PW 1.31; MTL 2.59.

Clypeus in profile almost straight, with short median carina just before rounding into medially impressed basal margin. Frontal triangle indistinct. Frontal carinae sinuate with margins only moderately raised; central area with weakly impressed frontal furrow. Sides of head in front of eyes convex, anteriorly converging towards mandibular bases; behind eyes sides strongly converging into broad occipital margin. Eyes moderately convex, breaking lateral cephalic outline in full face view. Ocelli lacking; relative position of median ocellus indicated by shallow depression. Pronotum in dorsal view with sides widely rounded; greatest pronotal width at mid-length of segment. Mesosoma in profile with highly raised, strongly convex pronotum; promesonotal suture shallow but well defined; mesonotal dorsum almost straight; metanotal groove only faintly visible dorsally, in lateral view indicated by shallow depression in mesosomal outline; propodeum armed with pair of short, upturned, acute spines; declivity rather short, almost vertical. Petiole with anterior face straight, posterior face weakly convex; armed with pair of, acute dorsal teeth, situated close together, with tips bent backwards; pair of lateral teeth distinctly shorter. Subpetiolar process acute anteriorly, widely rounded posteriorly. Anterior face of first gastral segment lower than height of petiole, widely rounding onto dorsum of segment.

Mandibles very finely, longitudinally rugose. Head, mesosoma and gaster rather smooth, very finely shagreened, with numerous, shallow minute punctures. Intensity of sculpturation distinctly increasing laterally, lower portions of mesosoma, notably meso- and metapleurae and petiole, rather coarsely reticulate-rugose.

Several erect to semierect, short to medium length hairs fringing mandibular masticatory borders, numerous appressed hairs arising from pits towards mandibular bases. Anterior clypeal margin with several relatively long, anteriorly directed setae medially and a few very short setae laterally. A few pairs of hairs near anterior and basal clypeal margins and along frontal carinae; single pair on vertex. Gaster with numerous medium length hairs along posterior margins of segments and around apex. Sides of head, mesosoma, petiole and dorsum of first gastral segment completely hairless. Extremely short appressed pubescence, arising from pits and shallow minute punctures in various densities over all body surfaces.

Colour. Black; mandibular masticatory borders, condylae, extreme tips of apical funicular segments, joints between trochanters and femorae of mid and hind legs and tarsal claws medium to dark reddish-brown.

Type Material
HOLOTYPE: INDONESIA, IRIAN JAYA, P.T. Freeport Concession, Wapoga camp, 03.14°S, 136.57°E, 3450ft, 26.iv.1998, R.R. Snelling #98.201 (worker). Holotype (only specimen).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Janda M., G. D. Alpert, M. L. Borowiec, E. P. Economo, P. Klimes, E. Sarnat, and S. O. Shattuck. 2011. Cheklist of ants described and recorded from New Guinea and associated islands. Available on http://www.newguineants.org/. Accessed on 24th Feb. 2011.
 * Kohout R.J. 2006. Review of Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) Forel of Australia, Borneo, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands with descriptions of new species. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 52: 87-146.