Polyrhachis conops

The syntypes of P. conops are the only specimens known of this species (Kohout, 2013).

Identification
A member of the Polyrhachis continua species group in the subgenus Myrma

This species stands between Polyrhachis continua and Polyrhachis manusensis, featuring the slender and elegant stature of the former and the petiolar armament of the latter. Several specimens of the type series show a mild tendency of the eyes changing their shape from posteriorly protracted to almost normal. The eyes are usually distinctly protracted posteriorly; however, in several specimens examined this character appears to be less prominent, with the eyes almost normal. This character is not uncommon in the subgenus Myrma, with several taxa described solely on the presence or lack of the posteriorly protracted eyes, such as in Polyrhachis nigropilosa conophthalma or Polyrhachis striatorugosa exophthalma.

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

Nomenclature

 *  conops. Polyrhachis conops Forel, 1901b: 28 (w.q.m.) NEW GUINEA (Bismarck Archipelago). Combination in P. (Myrma): Emery, 1925b: 200.

Description
Kohout (2013) - Dimensions of syntypes (queens cited last): TL c. 9.93-11.18, 11.94-12.65; HL 2.43-2.67, 2.72-2.82; HW 1.89-2.09, 2.17-2.22; CI 77-79, 79-80; SL 3.17-3.43, 3.48-3.53; SI 162-168, 159-160; PW 1.71-1.86, 2.52-2.57; MTL 3.33-3.58, 3.63-3.68 (5+2 measured).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Chapman, J. W., and Capco, S. R. 1951. Check list of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Asia. Monogr. Inst. Sci. Technol. Manila 1: 1-327
 * Dahl F. 1901. Das Leben der Ameisen im Bismarck-Archipel, nach eigenen Beobachtungen vergleichend dargestellt. Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berl. 2: 1-70.
 * 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. 1998. New synonyms and nomenclatural changes in the ant genus Polyrhachis Fr. Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 42: 505-531
 * Kohout R. J. 2013. A review of the Polyrhachis continua species-group of the subgenus Myrma Billberg (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae) with keys and descriptions of new species. Australian Entomologist 40(1): 13-46.
 * Robson Simon Database Polyrhachis -05 Sept 2014
 * Viehmeyer H. 1912. Ameisen aus Deutsch Neuguinea gesammelt von Dr. O. Schlaginhaufen. Nebst einem Verzeichnisse der papuanischen Arten. Abhandlungen und Berichte des Königlichen Zoologischen und Anthropologische-Ethnographischen Museums zu Dresden 14: 1-26.
 * Wheeler W.M. 1935. Check list of the ants of Oceania. Occasional Papers of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum 11(11):1-56.
 * Wheeler, William Morton.1935.Checklist of the Ants of Oceania.Occasional Papers 11(11): 3-56