The ant genus Polyrhachis F. Smith in sub-Saharan Africa, with descriptions of ten new species. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Author
Rigato, Fabrizio
text
Zootaxa
2016
4088
1
journal volume
10.11646/zootaxa.4088.1.1
4019c4cc-9ef3-402e-888b-f258264b3617
1175-5326
261854
7F80636F-C96A-40B8-9DC6-BD341EF0D5AE
Polyrhachis lestoni
Bolton
Polyrhachis lestoni
Bolton, 1973: 349
, figs. 48, 61. Holotype worker, GHANA: eastern region, Mt. Atewa, primary forest, by pyrethrum knock-down, sample A5/1, 12.vii.1969 (
D. Leston
) (BMNH) [not seen; Antweb pictures under the code CASENT0903459].
Diagnosis.
An easily recognizable
alexisi-
group species, whose petiole is armed just with a pair of lateral teeth.
This species was known from Ghana only. Yet, some recently collected material strongly increases its known range. It must be pointed out that the weak transverse ridge separating the propodeal dorsum from declivity may be virtually absent in some specimens. In such cases dorsum and declivity are differently sculptured: the dorsum is longitudinally, posteriorly convergently striolate, the declivity superficially reticulate-punctate.
HL 1.25–1.35, HW 1.12–1.19, CI 86–90, SL 1.28–1.35, SI 112–121, FW 0.29–0.34, FI 26–30, PW 1.08–1.11, WL 1.45–1.60, HTL 1.19–1.30. (n=6)
Material examined. CENTRAL AFRICAN REP.
, P.N. Dzanga–Ndoki, 21.4 km 53° NE Bayanga, 3°02,01’N 16°24.57’E, 510 m, 4.v.2001 (
S. van Noort
) (1 w, CAS: CASENT0088927 CAR01-S15).
REP. of the CONGO
: Niari Region, 2.30757 S 12.82985 E, 660 m, 3.vii.2013, primary forest, canopy fogging (
L. Niemand
) (3 w, AFRC: LN-RC1-087, -088, -034; CASENT0250009, -10, -30); Niari Region, 2.30921 S 12.82224 E, 754 m, 4.vii.2013, primary forest, canopy fogging (
L. Niemand
) (1 w, AFRC: LN-RC1-089 CASENT0250011).
KENYA
: Kakamega Distr., Yala, Kakamega Forest, 0.10°N 34.52°E, 1600 m, x.2002, T. n. # 127, fogging
Teclea nobilis
(
W. Freund
)
(1 w, HLMD:
M 00023
); Busumbuli, Kakamega Forest, 0.27°N 34.88°E, 1600 m, i.2003, T. n. # 135, fogging ex
Teclea nobilis
(
W. Freund
)
(2 w, HLMD: M 0 0 162,
M 00878
).