Polyrhachis militaris (Fabricius)

Rigato, Fabrizio, 2016, The ant genus Polyrhachis F. Smith in sub-Saharan Africa, with descriptions of ten new species. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zootaxa 4088 (1) : 31-33

Polyrhachis militaris (Fabricius)

( Figures 10 a–c)

Formica militaris Fabricius, 1782: 493 . Holotype gyne, “Tropical Africa” (BMNH) [not seen]

Polyrhachis militaris (Fabricius) ; F. Smith, 1858: 72, pl. 3, fig. 5 and pl. 4, fig. 35. [Combination in Polyrhachis ]

Polyrhachis militaris subsp. cupreopubescens Forel, 1879: 120. Holotype gyne, “Tropical Africa” (Sauss) (MHNG) [not seen]. [Synonymy by Bolton, 1973: 313]

Polyrhachis militaris subsp. striativentris Emery, 1892: 566. Syntype workers, IVORY COAST: Assinie (Ch. Alluaud) (MSNG) [not seen]. [Synonymy by Bolton, 1973: 313]

Polyrhachis militaris subsp. cupreopubescens var. transversaria Forel, 1901: 77 . Holotype gyne, LIBERIA (Hadler) (MHNG) [not seen]. [Unavailable name, referred to militaris by Bolton, 1973: 313]

Polyrhachis militaris var. calabarica Forel, 1907: 38 . Syntype workers, NIGERIA: Old Calabar, vi.1892 (Luke) (MHNG) [examined]. [Synonymy by Bolton, 1973: 313]

Polyrhachis militaris var. ssibangensis Forel, 1907: 38 . Holotype worker, GABON: Ssibange (Soyaux) (MHNG) [examined]. [Synonymy by Bolton, 1973: 313]

Polyrhachis militaris subsp. cupreopubescens var. argentatus Stitz, 1910: 150 . Syntype workers, CAMEROUN: Bibundi (Tessmann) (MNHU) [not seen]. [Unavailable name, referred to militaris by Bolton, 1973: 313]

Polyrhachis militaris subsp. bruta Santschi, 1912: 166. Holotype gyne, “CONGO” (Bondroit) (NHMB) [not seen]. [Synonymy by Bolton, 1973: 313]

Polyrhachis militaris subsp. cupreopubescens var. sankisiana Forel, 1913b: 348 . Syntype workers, DEM. REP. of the CONGO: Katanga, Sankisia, (J. Bequaert) (MHNG) [examined]. [Unavailable name, referred to militaris by Bolton, 1973: 313]

Polyrhachis militaris subsp. cupreopubescens var. dido Wheeler, 1922: 261 . [Proposed as a replacement name for Polyrhachis militaris subsp. cupreopubescens var. argentatus Stitz , preoccupied by Polyrhachis argentatus F.Smith, 1858 ]. [Unavailable name, referred to militaris by Bolton, 1973: 313]

Polyrhachis militaris var. nkomoensis Santschi, 1924: 222 . [First available use of Polyrhachis militaris subsp. cupreopubescens var. nkomoensis Forel, 1916: 447 . Syntype workers, gynes and males, DEM. REP. of the CONGO (H. Kohl) (MHNG) [not seen]. (Unavailable name, referred to militaris in Bolton, 1973: 313)]. [Junior synonym of militaris by Dorow, 1995: 37]

Polyrhachis militaris subsp. cupreopubescens var. pleurata Santschi, 1924: 223 . Syntype workers, DEM. REP. of the CONGO: Yambata (di Giorgi) (NHMB) [not seen]. [Unavailable name, referred to militaris by Bolton, 1973: 313]

Diagnosis. A large member of the militaris- group with a somewhat rectangular head, hairy body and appendages, and long, usually at least partially golden pubescence, which hides most of the body sculpture.

As militaris measurements provided by Bolton (1973) included epinotalis , I give the following measurements obtained from ‘true’ militaris workers:

HL 2.37–3.24, HW 1.76–2.51, CI 70–80, SL 3.08–3.92, SI 152–176, FW 0.63–0.82, FI 31–37, PW 1.52–2.32, WL 3.37–4.45, HTL 3.40–4.60. (n=32)

Comment. The head of Polyrhachis militaris (and doudou n. sp. as well, see above) is subrectangular and clearly different from the rounded outline of similar species, i.e. epinotalis , gagates , medusa and schistacea . These species have a more or less elongate, oval or suboval head, mostly with a widely convex posterior margin and usually (except most epinotalis ) the head is slightly wider behind than in front of the eyes. Moreover, militaris and doudou have a blunt margination behind each eye delimiting head dorsum from the sides.

Material examined. GUINEA-BISSAU: Rio Cassine, xii.1899–iv.1900 (L. Fea) (31 w, MSNG). EQUATORIAL GUINEA: Bioko [= Fernando Poo Island], Basilé, 400–600 m, viii–ix.1901 (L. Fea) (14 g, 17 m, 18 w, MSNG); Bioko [= Fernando Poo Island], Punta Frailes, x–xi.1901 (L. Fea) (8 g, 5 w, MSNG); Bioko [= Fernando Poo Island], Musola, 500–800 m, i–iii.1902 (L. Fea) (2 w, MSNG); Bioko [= Fernando Poo Island], Musola, 500–800 m, iii.1902 (L. Fea) (2 w, MSNG); Bioko, road to Pico Basile, 1700 m, 3°37’38”N 8°48’15”E, 27–29.ix.1998 (D. Ubick et al.) (3 g, CAS); Bioko, Moka Malabo, 3°21’46”N 8°39’52”E, ca. 1400 m, 6.x.1998 (D. Ubick & D.K. Dabney) (1 w, 1 g, CAS); Bioko, Moka, 1300 m, 3°21’36”N 8°39’49”E, 1–11.x.1998 (D. Ubick et al.) (6 g, CAS); Bioko, 3.5 km N Luba, 3°28’54”N 8°34’58”E, 13.x.1998, swampy forest (D. Ubick et al.) (2 g, CAS); GABON: Fernand-Vaz, ix–x.1902 (L. Fea) (11 w, MSNG); Lambarene, xi–xii.1902 (L. Fea) (2 g, MSNG); Ndjolé, xi–xii.1902 (L. Fea) (1g, 4 w, MSNG); Nkogo, xi–xii.1902 (L. Fea) (1 w, MSNG); Port Gentil, 12.vii.1957 (E.S. Ross & B.E. Leech) (1 w, CAS); Prov. Ogoové-Maritime, Réserve des Monts Doudou , 25.2 km 304° NW Doussala, 2°13.63’S 10°23.67’E, 600 m, 15.iii.2000 (S. van Noort), sweep, coastal lowland rainforest, undergrowth, low canopy in forest (2 w, CAS: GA00S100-6, GA00S106-1). DEM. REP. of the CONGO: 39 km S of Walikale, 700 m, 25.xii.1957 (E.S. Ross & B.E. Leech) (5 w, CAS); 27 mi. SE of Kienge, 22.i.1958 (E.S. Ross & B.E. Leech) (1 w, CAS); N. Shaba, Mbalula, 23.x.1980 (W.H. Whitcomb) (1 w, HLMD). CENTRAL AFRICAN REP.: P.N. Dzanga-Ndoki, 21.4 km 53° NE Bayanga, 3°02.01’N 16°24.57 E, 510 m, 1–7.v.2001 (S. van Noort) (9 w, CAS: CASENT0093758 CAR01-Y01, CASENT0093763 CAR01-Y02, CASENT0093787 CAR01-Y04, CASENT0093803 CAR01-Y06, CASENT0093809 CAR01-Y07, CASENT0093830 CAR01-Y09, CASENT0093840 CAR01-Y10, CASENT0093926 CAR01-Y21, CASENT0093948 CAR01-Y24); P.N. Dzanga- Ndoki, 21.4 km 53° NE Bayanga, 3°02.01’N 16°24.57 E, 510 m, 1–2.v.2001 (S. van Noort) (1 w, CAS: CASENT0085828 CAR01-M06); 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: CASENT0085991 CAR01-S12); P.N. Dzanga-Ndoki, 21.4 km 53° NE Bayanga, 3°02.01’N 16°24.57 E, 510 m, 5–6.v.2001 (S. van Noort) (1 w, CAS: CASENT0086866 CAR01-M49); Res. Dzanga-Sangha, 12.7 km 326° NW Bayanga, 3°00’N 16°12’E, 420 m, 10–17.v.2001 #4083 (B.L. Fisher) (2 w, CAS: CASENT0008084); Res. Dzanga-Sangha, 12.7 km 326° NW Bayanga, 3°00’N 16°12’E, 420 m, 10– 17.v.2001 #4084 (B.L. Fisher) (1 w, CAS: CASENT0009150); Res. Dzanga-Sangha, 12.7 km 326° NW Bayanga, 3°00.27’N 16°11.55’E, 420 m, 11–17.v.2001 (S. van Noort) (7 w, CAS: CASENT0093971 CAR01-Y26, CASENT0093982 CAR01-Y27, CASENT0094018 CAR01-Y30, CASENT0094037 CAR01-Y31, CASENT0094043 CAR01-Y32, CASENT0094199 CAR01-Y47, CASENT0094215 CAR01-Y50); Res. Dzanga- Sangha, 12.7 km 326° NW Bayanga, 3°00.27’N 16°11.55’E, 420 m, 11–12.v.2001 (S. van Noort) (1 w, CAS: CASENT0086092 CAR01-M192); Res. Dzanga-Sangha, 12.7 km 326° NW Bayanga, 3°00.27’N 16°11.55’E, 420 m, 12.v.2001 (S. van Noort) (1 w, CAS: CASENT0089902 CAR01-S126); Res. Dzanga-Sangha, 12.7 km 326° NW Bayanga, 3°00.27’N 16°11.55’E, 420 m, 12–13.v.2001 (S. van Noort) (1 w, CAS: CASENT0087984 CAR01- M100); Res. Dzanga-Sangha, 12.7 km 326° NW Bayanga, 3°00.27’N 16°11.55’E, 420 m, 13.v.2001 (S. van Noort) (2 w, CAS: CASENT0091105 CAR01-S156, CASENT0091208 CAR01-S165); Res. Dzanga-Sangha, 12.7 km 326° NW Bayanga, 3°00.27’N 16°11.55’E, 420 m, 13–14.v.2001 (S. van Noort) (1 w, CAS: CASENT0088321 CAR01-M112); Res. Dzanga-Sangha, 12.7 km 326° NW Bayanga, 3°00.27’N 16°11.55’E, 420 m, 14–15.v.2001 (S. van Noort) (1 w, CAS: CASENT0088748 CAR01-M123); Res. Dzanga-Sangha, 12.7 km 326° NW Bayanga, 3°00.27’N 16°11.55’E, 420 m, 15–16.v.2001 (S. van Noort) (1 w, CAS: CASENT0087645 CAR01-M141); Res. Dzanga-Sangha, 12.7 km 326° NW Bayanga, 3°00.27’N 16°11.55’E, 420 m, 16–17.v.2001 (S. van Noort) (2 w, CAS: CASENT0087754 CAR01-M146, CASENT0087516 CAR01-M152); P.N. Dzanga-Ndoki, 38.6 km 173° S Lidjombo, 2°21.60’N 16°03.20’E, 350 m, 21–27.v.2001 (S. van Noort) (15 w, CAS: CASENT0094223 CAR01- Y51, CASENT0094235 CAR01-Y52, CASENT0094252 CAR01-Y53, CASENT0094260 CAR01-Y54, CASENT0094279 CAR01-Y56, CASENT0094295 CAR01-Y57, CASENT0094346 CAR01-Y62, CASENT0094355 CAR01-Y63, CASENT0094360 CAR01-Y64, CASENT0094371 CAR01-Y65, CASENT0094384 CAR01-Y66, CASENT0094406 CAR01-Y68, CASENT0094420 CAR01-Y69, CASENT0094443 CAR01-Y71, CASENT0094482 CAR01-Y75); P.N. Dzanga-Ndoki, 38.6 km 173° S Lidjombo, 2°22’N 16°03’E, 350 m, 20–28.v.2001 (B.L.Fisher) (3 w, CAS: #4125 CASENT0009213–15; 4 w, CAS: #4126 CASENT0008085–86); P.N. Dzanga-Ndoki, 38.6 km 173° S Lidjombo, 2°21.60’N 16°03.20’E, 350 m, 20– 21.v.2001 (S. van Noort) (4 w, CAS: CASENT0087592 CAR01-M156, CASENT0087616 CAR01-M157, CASENT0087618 CAR01-M158, CASENT0087429 CAR01-M165); P.N. Dzanga-Ndoki, 38.6 km 173° S Lidjombo, 2°21.60’N 16°03.20’E, 350 m, 21–22.v.2001 (S. van Noort) (3 w, CAS: CASENT0087471 CAR01- M168, CASENT0086505 CAR01-M172, CASENT0086545 CAR01-M174); P.N. Dzanga-Ndoki, 38.6 km 173° S Lidjombo, 2°21.60’N 16°03.20’E, 350 m, 22.v.2001 (S. van Noort) (1 g, 4 w, CAS: CASENT0092197 CAR01- S200, CASENT0092344 CAR01-S212, CASENT0092387 CAR01-S215, CASENT0092725 CAR01-S238, CASENT0092757 CAR01-S240); P.N. Dzanga-Ndoki, 38.6 km 173° S Lidjombo, 2°21.60’N 16°03.20’E, 350 m, 22–23.v.2001 (S. van Noort) (2 w, CAS: CASENT0086341 CAR01-M184, CASENT0086387 CAR01-M187); P.N. Dzanga-Ndoki, 38.6 km 173° S Lidjombo, 2°21.60’N 16°03.20’E, 350 m, 23.v.2001 (S. van Noort) (2 w, CAS: CASENT0093738 CAR01-S263, CASENT0093448 CAR01-S277); P.N. Dzanga-Ndoki, 38.6 km 173° S Lidjombo, 2°21.60’N 16°03.20’E, 350 m, 24–25.v.2001 (S. van Noort) (3 w, CAS: CASENT0086229 CAR01- M200, CASENT0088066 CAR01-M205, CASENT0088102 CAR01-M209); P.N. Dzanga-Ndoki, 38.6 km 173° S Lidjombo, 2°21.60’N 16°03.20’E, 350 m, 25.v.2001 (S. van Noort) (6 w, CAS: CASENT0094975 CAR01-S283, CASENT0095042 CAR01-S285, CASENT0094511 CAR01-S288, CASENT0094555 CAR01-S291, CASENT0094625 CAR01-S297, CASENT0093126 CAR01-S300); P.N. Dzanga-Ndoki, 38.6 km 173° S Lidjombo, 2°21.60’N 16°03.20’E, 350 m, 25–26.v.2001 (S. van Noort) (1 w, CAS: CASENT0088164 CAR01- M220); P.N. Dzanga-Ndoki, 38.6 km 173° S Lidjombo, 2°21.60’N 16°03.20’E, 350 m, 26–27.v.2001 (S. van Noort) (2 w, CAS: CASENT0088224 CAR01-M224, CASENT0088273 CAR01-M228). UGANDA: Budongo Forest Reserve, 1.75°N 31.5833°E, 900 m, 30.vi.2004 (M. Peters) (HLMD); Kibale National Park, Kanyawara Biological Station, 0.56437°N 30.36059°E, ±300 m 1510 m, 6–16.viii.2012, rainforest (F. Hita Garcia) (HLMD); Entebbe, Entebbe Botanical Gardens, 0°03’52.61”N 32°28’40.50”E, 1143 m, 17–22.viii.2012, on tree (F. Hita Garcia) (HLMD). TANZANIA: Amani, 850 m, 9.xi.1957 (E.S. Ross & B.E. Leech) (1 g, 2 w, CAS); Tanga, E Usambara Mtns., Amani, 900–1000 m, 28.x–9.xi.1995 (D. Ubick) (1 g, CAS); Amani Hills, 23–24.vi.2001, ANTC1275 (D. Quick) (1 g, 6 w, CAS: CASENT0007990–93). ZAMBIA: 5 mi. N of Kapiri Mposhi, 9.ii.1958 (E.S. Ross & B.E. Leech) (1 w, CAS).

Figures

FIGURE 10. Polyrhachis militaris, worker: A, body profile (CENTRAL AFRICAN REP., P. N. Dzanga-Ndoki, 38.6 km 173 ° S, Lidjombo, 2 ° 21.60 ’ N 16 ° 03.20 ’ E, 350 m, 21 - 27. v. 2001 (S. van Noort), CAR 01 - Y 51 - CAR 01 - Y 75 [CASENT 0094443 CAR 01 - Y 71]); B, dorsum of mesosoma; C, head in full-face view (CENTRAL AFRICAN REP., P. N. Dzanga-Ndoki, 21.4 km 53 ° NE, Bayanga, 3 ° 02.01 ’ N 16 ° 24.57 ’ E, 510 m, 1 - 7. v. 2001 (S. van Noort), CAR 01 - Y 01 - CAR 01 - Y 25 [CASENT 0093840 CAR 01 - Y 10]). (Photos by M. Zilioli)