Key to Polyrhachis (Aulacomyrma) species

This worker key is based on: *[[Media:Kohout 2007a.pdf|Kohout, R.J. 2007a. Revision of the subgenus Aulacomyrma Emery of the genus Polyrhachis F. Smith, with descriptions of new species (pp. 186-253). In Snelling, R.R., Fisher, B.L. and Ward, P.S. (eds). Advances in ant systematics: homage to E.O. Wilson – 50 years of contributions. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute. 80:690 pp. PDF]]

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 * Aulacomyrma
 * Polyrhachis

1

 * Anterior face of first gastral segment distinctly concave medially, accomodating posterior face of petiole; concavity delimited dorso-medially by acute or blunt margin that is often raised above dorsal surface of segment . . . . . 2


 * Anterior face of first gastral segment medially truncate or convex; if weakly concave then concavity too shallow to accommodate posterior face of petiole and its dorsal border rounded, without distinct margin . . . . . 3

2
return to couplet #1
 * Mesosomal dorsum distinctly marginate laterally along its entire length; margins interrupted only at sutures . . . . . 10


 * Mesosomal dorsum with ill-defined margins, formed in part by outermost dorsal striae or with margins completely lacking and dorsum rounding onto the sides in laterally uninterrupted curve . . . . . 27

3
return to couplet #1
 * Sculpture of mesosomal dorsum consisting of mostly longitudinal striae, that weakly converge anteriorly on pronotal dorsum . . . . . Polyrhachis bedeloweryi


 * Sculpture of mesosomal dorsum with striae forming variously curved, transverse, V-, U- or semicircular-shaped pattern . . . . . 4

4
return to couplet #3
 * Eyes convex or protuberant, clearly breaking cephalic outline in full face view . . . . . 5


 * Eyes flattened and somewhat sunk into shallow concavity in cephalic sculpture, at most touching but not extending beyond lateral cephalic outline in full face view . . . . . 9

5
return to couplet #4
 * Petiole with both faces distinctly striate . . . . . 6


 * Petiole with both faces finely reticulate-punctate or shagreened . . . . . 8

6
return to couplet #5
 * Mesosoma distinctly antero-posteriorly compressed; propodeal declivity very high, vertical to main axis of body . . . . . Polyrhachis gressitti


 * Mesosoma relatively long, not antero-posteriorly compressed; propodeal declivity relatively low, oblique to main axis of body . . . . . 7

7
return to couplet #6
 * Pronotal dorsum rather massive, particularly anteriorly, distinctly convex in lateral view; petiole with lateral spines curved outwards and backwards; first gastral segment uniformly finely reticulate-punctate . . . . . Polyrhachis kokoda


 * Pronotal dorsum in lateral view only moderately convex anteriorly, rather flat towards promesonotal suture; petiole with short, upturned lateral teeth; first gastral segment distinctly longitudinaly striate laterally, finely reticulate-punctate dorsally . . . . . Polyrhachis decora

8
return to couplet #5
 * Pronotal humeri with short, acute spines; dorsal petiolar margin with pair of short intercalary teeth and pair of blunt angular projections situated between them and lateral petiolar teeth . . . . . Polyrhachis breviata


 * Pronotal humeri with broadly-based, angular teeth and lateral margins distinctly raised and continuous to midlength of the pronotum; dorsal petiolar margin jagged, without distinct intercalary teeth . . . . . Polyrhachis pelecta

9
return to couplet #4
 * Larger species (HL > 1.56); petiole finely shagreened with sharp dorsal margin bearing pair of short, acute, intercalary teeth . . . . . Polyrhachis roomi


 * Smaller species (HL <1.40); petiole with both faces distinctly transversely striate; dorsal margin blunt, intercalary teeth lacking . . . . . Polyrhachis mamba

10
return to couplet #2
 * Clypeus unsculptured, smooth and shiny . . . . . 11


 * Clypeus sculptured as rest of head . . . . . 13