Polyrhachis regesa

This species has been collected from a fogging sample in primary forest (Niari region, Rep. of the Congo).

Identification
A member of the Polyrhachis revoili species-group. Bolton (1973) - Related to Polyrhachis otleti and Polyrhachis khepra, it is separable from the former by the presence of propodeal tubercles as opposed to ridges, and from the latter by marked differences in sculpturation and development of the sutures of the alitrunk.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Congo, Ghana.

Nomenclature

 *  regesa. Polyrhachis regesa Bolton, 1973b: 337, figs. 52, 58 (w.) GHANA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 4.4, HL 1.14, HW 0.96, CI 84, SL 1.34, SI 139, PW 0.74, MTL 1.22.

Clypeus with a rectangular median lobe, the anterolateral angles of which are very acute, almost denticulate. Eyes convex; sides of head in front of eyes straight, behind the eyes gradually rounding into the convex occipital margin. Pronotum with a short, weak lateral margination extending back from the pronotal teeth, the margination not reaching the promesonotal suture. Remainder of alitrunk not marginate, the dorsum convex in both directions. Promesonotal suture present, narrow but distinct; metanotal groove absent from the dorsum of the alitrunk. Propodeum with a pair of minute tubercles, the dorsum rounding into the concave declivity between them. Petiole armed with a pair of spines dorsally and a pair of smaller lateral spines. Anterior face of first gastral segment concave medially.

Entirety of head, body and appendages with numerous erect, white hairs, those on the tibiae and scapes (especially the latter) notably longer than those on the dorsum of the gaster. Pubescence greyish, fine, least abundant on the head.

Clypeus finely reticulate-rugose, the rest of the head more coarsely so, especially in the space separating the eye from the frontal carina. Dorsum of alitrunk very finely reticulate and punctate-rugose; the gaster finely and superficially reticulate. Colour black, the alitrunk more dull than the gaster which is dully shiny. Antennal scapes and femora brown; funiculi, tibiae and tarsi yellow-brown.

A single paratype worker, as holotype but slightly larger; TL 4.8, HL 1.18, HW 0.96, CI 81, SL 1.41, SI 1.47, PW 0.81, MTL not measurable due to method of mounting of the specimen.

Type Material
Holotype worker, GHANA : Eastern Region, Mampong, 12.iii.1970 (P. M. Room). Paratype worker, GHANA : Eastern Region, Adeiso, by pyrethrum knock-down, sample C3/6, 17.vi.1970 (D. Leston) (UG, Legan).