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 esarata
Bolton
Polyrhachis esarata
Bolton, 1973: 303
, figs. 45, 55. Holotype worker, GHANA: eastern region, Bunso, by pyrethrum knockdown (sample B. 3/8), 7.vii.1969 (
D. Leston
) (BMNH) [not seen].
Diagnosis.
A medium sized
militaris
-group species very similar to
decellei
(see above) and separated by the latter mostly because of its comparatively larger and elliptical eyes in profile, and shorter scape (SI <170 vs. SI> 170).
Polyrhachis esarata
was described from a single worker. I consider as conspecific with it one worker and one gyne from Dem. Rep. of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea, respectively. The worker is a little larger than the holotype and lacks the distinctive couple of hairs on the head dorsum, but the corresponding hair pits are present. Also, the eyes are only moderately convex and not strongly protruding as in the type.
Worker
. HL 1.65, HW 1.30, CI 79, SL 2.13, SI 164, FW 0.38, FI 29, PW 1.08, WL 2.27, HTL 2.19.
Gyne
. HL 1.72, HW 1.40, CI 81, SL 2.08, SI 149, FW 0.42, FI 30, ScW 1.57, MnL 1.97, WL 2.87, HTL 2.34.
Material examined. EQUATORIAL GUINEA
: Bioko, Moka, 3°21’36”N 8°39’49”E, 1300 m, 1–11.x.1998, at lights (
D. Ubick, D.K. Dabney, R.C. Drewes, J.V. Vindum, L. Henwood, R.W. Tomos, M. Boko, M.P. Ndung
) (1 g, CAS).
DEM. REP. of the CONGO
: 56 km N Matadi, 28.vii.1957 (
E.S. Ross & R.E. Leech
) (1 w, CAS).