Polyrhachis cryptoceroides Emery, 1887

Kohout, R. J., 2006, A review of the Polyrhachis cryptoceroides species-group with description of a new species from Thailand (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)., Myrmecologische Nachrichten 8, pp. 145-150 : 146

Polyrhachis cryptoceroides Emery, 1887 (Figs. 1, 5, 9)

Polyrhachis cryptoceroides Emery, 1887: 228 , pl. 3, fig. 14. Syntype workers. Type locality: Indonesia, Sulawesi, Macassar (O. Beccari), MCSN (examined).

Polyrhachis (Aulacomyrma) mystica Karawajew, 1927: 41 , fig. 19. Syntype workers, queens, males. Type locality: Indonesia, Java, Buitenzorg (= Bogor) (W. Kara-wajew # 2323), IZAS, QMBA (examined).

Polyrhachis (Aulacomyrma) mystica Karawajew : Dorow, 1995: 51. Combination in P. (Myrmhopla) . Junior synonym of P. cryptoceroides . Dimensions of P. cryptoceroides syntype: TL c. 6.00;

HL 1.43; HW 1.51; CI 105; SL 1.40; SI 93; PW 1.68; MTL

1.62 (1 measured).

Dimensions of P. mystica syntypes (workers cited first, queen last): TL c. 5.43, 7.36; HL 1.31, 1.31, 1.68; HW 1.31, 1.28, 1.72; CI 100, 98, 102; SL 1.31, 1.25, 1.65; SI 100, 98, 96; PW 1.40, 1.40, 1.76; MTL 1.50, 1.47, 1.96 (2 workers and 1 alate queen measured).

Additional material examined: Philippines: Luzon, Ilocos Norte, Dongon Bangui, 21. V. 1913, leg. C. S. Banks ([[worker]]); Palawan, Aborian, 4. VI. 1982, leg. C. K. Starr ([[worker]]); Bala-bac, 26. V. 1982, leg. C. K. Starr ([[worker]]). Mindanao, Misamis, Gingoog, Anakan Lbr. Co., leg. A. Reyes ([[worker]]). Thailand (S): Prachuab Khiri Khan Prov., Sai Khu Waterfall, 130 - 200 m, 7. III. 2006, leg. N. Naw ([[worker]]). East Malaysia: Sabah, Poring Hot Springs, fogging (no date), leg. A. Floren ([[worker]]); Danum Valley, 150 m, fogging, 19. - 26. I. 2002, leg. E. Wi-dodo and Y. Morimoto ([[worker]]); Forest Camp, 19 km N of Kala-bakan, 180 m, 22. X. 1962, leg. Y. Hirashima ([[worker]]); ditto, 60 m, 19. XI. 1962, leg. K. J. Kuncheria ([[worker]]). West Malaysia: Selan-gor, Gombak FR, 26. XI. 1961, leg. H. E. McClure ([[worker]]); Nege-ri Sembilan, Pasoh FR, XI. 1994, fogging, leg. M. Brendell, K. Jackson and S. Lewis ([[worker]]). Brunei: Belait Distr., Ulu Belait, 12. - 15. VII. 1994, leg. R. J. Kohout, acc. 94.108 ([[worker]]). Indonesia: Sulawesi Utara, Dumoga-Bone NP, Maze Toraut R. (0° 34' N, 123° 54' E), c. 220 m, 1. - 9. XI. 1985, Malaise trap, leg. C. van Achterberg ([[worker]]). Java, Bogor (= Buitenzorg) (no further data), leg. N. Gist Gee ([[worker]]); Bogor, 20. X. 1973, leg. B. Bolton ([[worker]]); Kebun Raya, Bogor, 7. III. 1997, leg. Sk. Yamane # JA 97 - SKY- 01 ([[worker]]).

Dimensions: TL c. 4.84 - 5.59; HL 1.15 - 1.40; HW 1.18 - 1.40; CI 98 - 105; SL 1.12 - 1.37; SI 88 - 102; PW 1.25 - 1.75; MTL 1.22 - 1.53 (14 workers measured).

Remarks: A widespread and rather variable species that seems to form numerous local populations that show slight morphological differences. When specimens from across the whole range of its distribution are compared these morphological differences intergrade and I prefer to consider all of the examined populations conspecific. The workers of P. cryptoceroides superficially resemble those of Cataulacus and they are often seen foraging together on the trunks of rainforest trees.