Polyrhachis continua

Specimens have been collected from an ephiphyte root mass in lowland rainforest.

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

Kohout (2008) - Like other members of the species-group, P. continua has an evenly curved mesosomal dorsum that lacks a distinct border between the propodeal dorsum and declivity, and has postocular and lateral ridges on the head (Kohout, 1989; 1998).

Distribution
Polyrhachis continua is known from the Moluccas (Ternate I.), New Guinea (Paumomu R.) and Sulawesi. (Kohout 2008)

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

Nomenclature

 *  continua. Polyrhachis continua Emery, 1887a: 235, pl. 4, fig. 21 (w.) INDONESIA (Ternate I.). Combination in P. (Myrma): Emery, 1925b: 200. Senior synonym of revocata: Kohout, 1998: 519.
 * revocata. Polyrhachis continua var. revocata Viehmeyer, 1913: 151 (w.) INDONESIA (Sulawesi) (in copal). Combination in P. (Myrma): Emery, 1925b: 200. Junior synonym of continua: Kohout, 1998: 519.

Worker
Kohout (2013) - Dimensions (holotype cited first): TL c. 10.18, 9.42-10.68; HL 2.50, 2.31-2.59; HW 1.81, 1.65-1.87; CI 72, 70-74; SL 3.48, 3.12-3.48; SI 192, 181-192; PW 1.53, 1.53-1.87; MTL 3.68, 3.22-3.68 (1+10 measured).

Queen
Kohout (2013) - Dimensions: TL c. 11.04-11.29; HL 2.62-2.68; HW 2.09-2.12; CI 79-80; SL 3.38-3.43; SI 162; PW 2.37-2.40; MTL 3.33-3.48 (2 measured).

Queen larger than worker with usual characters identifying full sexuality, including three ocelli, complete thoracic structure and wings. Pronotal spines distinctly shorter, only about 2x as long as basal width. Mesoscutum wider than long; lateral margins converging anteriorly into narrowly rounded anterior margin; median line distinct; parapsides virtually flat anteriorly, weakly raised posteriorly; mesoscutum in profile with relatively low anterior face rounding onto weakly convex dorsum. Mesoscutellum only weakly convex, not elevated above dorsal plane of mesosoma. Propodeum with lateral margins terminating in medially directed, short ridges; propodeal dorsum descending into steeply descending declivity in medially uninterrupted line. Petiole with dorsal spines distinctly shorter, inner margins forming ‘U’-shaped dorsum of segment. Sculpturation, pilosity, pubescence and colour scheme very similar to worker.

Type Material
Kohout (2013):

Holotype worker. Indonesia, Ternate I., Aqui Conora (O. Beccari), (examined).

Polyrhachis continua var. revocata Viehmeyer, 1913: 151. Syntype workers. Indonesia, Sulawesi (in copal), (examined).

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
 * Emery C. 1886. Saggio di un catalogo sistematico dei generi Camponotus, Polyrhachis e affini. Memorie della Reale Accademia delle Scienze dell'Istituto di Bologna 5: 363-382
 * Emery C. 1887. Catalogo delle formiche esistenti nelle collezioni del Museo Civico di Genova. Parte terza. Formiche della regione Indo-Malese e dell'Australia. [part]. Ann. Mus. Civ. Stor. Nat. 24(4): 209-258.
 * Emery, C. "Catalogo delle formiche esistenti nelle collezioni del Museo Civico di Genova. Parte terza. Formiche della regione Indo-Malese e dell'Australia." Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale Giacomo Doria (Genova) (2) 4, no. 24 (1887): 209-258.
 * 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.
 * Kohout, R. J. 2008. A review of the Polyrhachis ants of Sulawesi with keys and descriptions of new species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 52:255-317.
 * Robson Simon Database Polyrhachis -05 Sept 2014
 * Snelling R. R. 1998. Insect Part 1: The social Hymenoptera. In Mack A. L. (Ed.) A Biological Assessment of the Lakekamu Basin, Papua New Guinea, RAP 9. 189 ppages
 * 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.
 * Viehmeyer H. 1913. Ameisen aus dem Kopal von Celebes. Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung 74: 141-155.