Memoirs of the Queensland Museum – Nature 56

A review of the Australian Polyrhachis ants of the subgenera Myrma Billberg, Myrmatopa Forel, Mymothrinax Forel and Polyrhachis Fr. Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae)

Citation

Kohout, R.J. 2012. A review of the Australian Polyrhachis ants of the subgenera Myrma Billberg, Myrmatopa Forel, Mymothrinax Forel and Polyrhachis Fr. Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum – Nature 56(1): 25-59. Brisbane. ISSN 0079-8835. https://doi.org/10.17082/j.2204-1478.56.1.2012-04

Published online

17 February 2012

Peer reviewed

Yes

DOI

https://doi.org/10.17082/j.2204-1478.56.1.2012-04

Keywords

Polyrhachis, Myrma, Myrmatopa, Myrmothrinax, Australia, distribution

Abstract 

Australian Polyrhachis species of the subgenera Myrma, Myrmatopa, Myrmothrinax and Polyrhachis are reviewed. A total of ten Australian species are recognised; four in the subgenus Myrma, three in Myrmatopa, two in Myrmothrinax and a single species in Polyrhachis. Polyrhachis inusitata Kohout and P. yarrabahensis are reinstated as valid species. Polyrhachis sericeopubescens Donisthorpe and P. lombokensis are considered extralimital and removed from the list of Australian species. Polyrhachis alphea Fr. Smith and Polyrhachis menozzii Karavaiev are reported from Australia for the first time. The extralimital species Polyrhachis dolomedes Fr. Smith is considered a senior synonym of Polyrhachis schang var. amboinae Santschi. The former subspecies, P. relucens var. breviorspinosa Donisthorpe is raised to specific status. A replacement name, Polyrhachis luteogaster, is proposed for the former subspecies and junior primary homonym P. Alpheus var. rufiventris Emery. A lectotype of P. semitestacea Emery is designated. All species are illustrated and their known distributions and nesting habits summarised. Keys to the Australian species of the subgenera Myrma, Myrmatopa, Myrmothrinax are included.