Polyrhachis numeria

Polyrhachis numeria appears to be a rare species and, in spite of examination of several collections gathered during the 1985 ‘Project Wallace’ by N.E. Stork and M.J.D. Brendell (BMNH), C. van Achterberg (RMNH) and subsequently by other collectors, namely B. Gobin (KULB), K. Ogata & K. Masaoka (ITAK), I. Ketterl (SMNS), J. Constant (IRSN), M.M. Bos (GUGG) and S. Yamane (KUKJ), the holotype is the only specimen recorded from Sulawesi. (Kohout, 2013)

Identification
This species is superficially very similar to Polyrhachis diana described by Wheeler (1909) from Mindanao. However, recent examination and direct comparison of the P. diana syntypes with the holotype of P. numeria indicate that they are distinct species. In P. numeria the eyes are weakly posteriorly truncate, the superior edge of antennal scapes has numerous, relatively short hairs and all dorsal body surfaces have rather abundant, moderately long, golden hairs. In contrast, the eyes in P. diana are normal, the antennal scapes lack hairs and the body pilosity is confined to the front of the head and venter and apex of the gaster. Also, the pronotal spines in P. numeria are somewhat shorter with broad and dorsally flat bases, while they are longer and more slender with distinctly dorsomedially flattened bases in P. diana.

Distribution
This taxon was described from Indonesia (Sulawesi).

Castes
Male and immature stages unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  numeria. Polyrhachis numeria Smith, F. 1861b: 42, pl. 1, fig. 25 (w.) INDONESIA (Sulawesi). Combination in P. (Myrma): Emery, 1925b: 201. Senior synonym of schizospina: Kohout, 1998: 527.
 * schizospina. Polyrhachis (Johnia) schizospina Karavaiev, 1927e: 44, fig. 20 (q.) INDONESIA (Prinsen I.). Combination in P. (Aulacomyrma): Hung, 1967b: 402. Junior synonym of numeria: Kohout, 1998: 527.

Type Material


Polyrhachis numeria

Holotype worker in. Labelled “Tond.” (= Tondano, Sulawesi) and with a Donisthorpe type-label.

Worker
Kohout (2013): Dimensions (holotype): TL c. 6.50; HL 1.65; HW 1.28; CI 77; SL 2.03; SI 158; PW 1.34; MTL 1.96.

Queen
Dimensions (P. schizospina holotype): TL c. 7.96; HL 1.81; HW 1.40; CI 77; SL 2.12; SI 151; PW 1.52; MTL 2.18.

Additional References

 * Kohout, R.J. 2013. A review of the Polyrhachis aculeata species-group of the subgenus Myrma Billberg (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae), with keys and descriptions of new species. Australian Entomologist, 40, 137-171.