Polyrhachis (Myrma) cyaniventris F. Smith

Sorger, D. M. & Zettel, H., 2009, Polyrhachis (Myrma) cyaniventris F. Smith, 1858 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and a related new ant species from the Philippines., Zootaxa 2174, pp. 27-37 : 30-33

Polyrhachis (Myrma) cyaniventris F. Smith , 1858

(Figs 1-6, 11)

Polyrhachis cyaniventris Smith , F. 1858: 70, pl. IV, fig. 47 (description of worker, Philippines).

Polyrhachis cyaneus Mayr , 1862: 684-685, tab. XIX, fig. 6 (description of worker; distribution: Luzon: Manila). Syn. by Roger 1863.

Polyrhachis cyaniventris : Roger 1863: 9 (synonymy). Forel 1910: 128 (description of gyne; distribution: Luzon: Rizal, Mindoro: Mt. Halcon). Bibby 1947: 78 (distribution: Calicaon Island south of Samar).

Polyrhacis [sic] cyaniventris : Ashmead 1904: 10 (distribution: Luzon: Manila).

Polyrhachis (Myrma) cyaniventris : Viehmeyer 1916: 288 (distribution: Luzon: Mt. Banahaw). Emery 1925: 201 (catalogue, species group). Stitz 1925: 135 (distribution: Luzon: Limay). Baltazar 1966: 276 (catalogue, references). Dorow 1995: 33 (listed).

Type material examined: Holotype of P. cyanea (worker) labelled "Manilla" [Luzon: Manila], "Wthm.", "Polyrhach.\ cyaneus M. \ det. G. Mayr.", " Polyrhachis cyanus Mayr ." ( NHMW). In addition, we have seen photographs of the holotype of P. cyaniventris (in BMNH) and can confirm species identity.

Additional material examined: Luzon Isl.: Zambales Prov. [erroneously labelled "Bataan"]: Olongapo, Subic Bay, 30.XI.1993, leg. H. Zettel (# 37a), 1 worker (CZW). Laguna Prov.: Los Banos, Mt. Makiling, 13.- 18.XI.1992, leg. H. Zettel (#1), 1 worker (CZW), 500-1144 m, 14.XI.1993, leg. H. Zettel (#21a), 1 worker (CZW), 300-500 m, 8.-9.II.1996, leg. H. Zettel (#74), 1 worker (CZW); Laguna, Los Banos, Mt. Makiling, Mud Springs, 1.XI.1996, leg. H. Zettel (#88a), 1 dealate gyne ( NHMW), 13.-14.I.1999, leg. H. Zettel (#174), 1 worker (CZW); Los Banos, Mt. Makiling, Rain Forest Park, 14.II.1999, leg. S. Schodl (5): 1 worker ( NHMW). Quezon Prov.: Atimonan, Quezon National Park, Old Zigzag Road, 24.-30.III.1998, leg. H. Zettel (# 165), 16 workers (CZW, CSW, NHMW, UPLB, USC-EC), 14.III.1999, leg. F. Seyfert (#27), 1 worker ( NHMW), 16.III.1999, leg. H. Zettel (#202), 1 worker (CZW), 6.IV.2000, leg. H. Zettel (#253), 2 workers (CZW), 30.-31.I.2001, leg. H. Zettel (#262), 1 worker (CZW), 27.-28.I.2002, leg. H. Zettel (#300), 1 worker (CZW). Camarines Norte Prov.: SW Daet, San Vicente, Fabrica, Mananap, 6.II.2001, leg. H. Zettel, E. S. & L. S. Vichozo (#264), 1 worker, 1 dealate gyne (CZW), 17.III.2003, leg. H. Zettel, C. V. Pangantihon & L. S. Vichozo (#348), 1 worker, 1 dealate gyne (CZW), 3.III.2004, leg. C. V. Pangantihon (#P52), 8 workers, 3 dealate gynes (CZW, NHMW); Labo, Tulay na Lupa, Mt. Labo - Mt. Bayabas area, 17.-18.III.2004, leg. H. Zettel & C. V. Pangantihon (#382), 2 workers, 4 dealate gynes (CZW, CSW, NHMW); S Daet, Bicol NP, Basud, Nalisan, 7.II.2001, leg. H. Zettel (#274), 1 worker (CZW), 26.II.2004, leg. H. Zettel & C. V. Pangantihon (# 376), 1 worker, 2 dealate gynes (CZW, NHMW), 13.-14.III.2003, leg. H. Zettel, L. S. Vichozo & C. V. Pangantihon, 1 worker (CZW), 1.III.2005, leg. H. Zettel (#419), 2 workers, 13.III.2006, leg. H. Zettel, R. Gille & L. S. Vichozo (#446), 1 worker (CZW). Camarines Sur Prov.: Alanao, Bahi River, 100 m, 14.XI.1999, leg. H. Zettel (#205), 1 worker (CZW), 10.III.2000, leg. H. Zettel (#245), 3 workers (CZW), 7.III.2000, leg. H. Zettel (#243), 1 worker (CZW), 1.IV.2000, leg. H. Zettel (#251), 3 workers (CZW, UPLB), 10.II.2002, leg. H. Zettel (#307), 1 worker (CZW), 11.II.2003, leg. H. Zettel (#337)", 1 worker (CZW), 25.- 27.II.2008, leg. H. Zettel (#510), 1 worker (CZW); Lupi, Sooc, Bicol NP, 30.III.2003, leg. C. V. Pangantihon, 1 worker (CZW), 29.X.2005, leg. C. V. Pangantihon (#P192), 1 worker (CZW), leg. C. V. Pangantihon (#P318), 1 worker (CZW); Lupi, Sooc, Looban, 25.II.2004, leg. H. Zettel & C. V. Pangantihon (#375), 4 workers (CZW, NHMW); Lupi, Sooc, Telecom - Sipocot, Tikman, 22.II.2004, leg. C. V. Pangantihon (#P42+43), 1 worker (CZW); Sipocot, Villazar, 27.III.2003, leg. C. V. Pangantihon, 1 worker (CZW); Lupi, Sooc, Lucbanan, 25.II.2003, leg. C. V. Pangantihon & L. S. Vichozo, 1 worker (CZW); 20 km E Naga, 5 km E Carolina, Malabsay Falls, 20.XI.1999, leg. H. Zettel (208), 1 worker (CZW); 18 km E Naga, Panicuason, 500- 550m, 6.III.2003, Narra plantation with Abaca understory, leg. D. General & al. (ABT-1, CZI), 1 dealate gyne ( NHMW). Catanduanes Isl.: Catanduanes Prov.: W Virac, Magnesia, near sea shore, 8.III.1999, leg. H. Zettel (#197), 14 workers ( NHMW, CZW), 8.III.1999, leg. F. Seyfert (#22), 1 worker ( NHMW), 13.IV.2000, leg. H. Zettel (#255), 3 workers (CZW). Mindoro Isl.: Mindoro Oriental Prov.: SW Calapan, Baco, Hidden Paradise, 20.-21.XI.1992, leg. H. Zettel (#16), 2 workers (CZW); 28 km S Calapan, Balete, 100 - 700 m, 27.- 29.XI.1992, leg. H. Zettel (#18), 7 workers (CZW, UPLB, QMBA). Samar Isl.: Northern Samar Prov.: San Joaquin, Lologayan Falls, 4.-6.III.2003, leg. H. Zettel (#345), 1 dealate gyne (CZW), 1.-5.III.2004, leg. H. Zettel (#377), 4 workers, 1 dealate gyne (CZW). Leyte Isl.: Leyte Prov.: N Tacloban, Babatngon, Busay Falls, 28.I.2000, leg. H. Zettel (#220), 1 worker (CZW), leg. S. Schodl (#1), 1 worker ( NHMW); N Baybay, Mt. Pangasugan, 50-250 m, along Lago-Lago River, 1.II.2000, leg. S. Schodl (#5), 4 workers ( NHMW). Philippines, no further locality data: 13.II.1914, leg. Moser, 2 workers, 1 gyne (MCZL); 4.III.1914, leg. Moser, 1 worker (MCZL); "In Baum" [in tree], 4.III.[19] 14, 1 worker (MCZL); 13.II1914, leg. Moser, 4 workers (MCZL).

Description of worker: Measurements: Holotype of P. cyanea (worker): TL 9.5 mm, HW 2.08 mm, HL 2.48 mm, CI 84, SL 2.99 mm, SI 144, PSPD 2.63 mm, PPL 1.04 mm, PPW 1.48 mm, PPI 142, PTW 2.55 mm, MTL 2.95 mm. Additional workers (n = 10): TL 7.9-8.9-10.1 mm, HW 1.70-2.01-2.30 mm, HL 2.06-2.36-2.70 mm, CI 79-85-97, SL 2.58-2.88-3.23 mm, SI 132-144-155, PSPD 2.05-2.58-3.13 mm, PPL 0.80-0.98-1.15 mm, PPW 1.05-1.33-1.55 mm, PPI 127-137-151, PTW 2.03-2.37-2.88 mm, MTL 2.55-2.90-3.25 mm.

Head, mesosoma, petiole, and gaster with dark bluish shimmer. Antennae and legs black, except femora bluish; in some specimens tibiae partially reddish brown.

Head sides and dorsum with distinct longitudinal striation overlaying microsculpture, venter with 9-12-15 setae. Vertex with 2-13-20 setae. Frons with 6-9-11 setae, median furrow indistinct. Genae with 0-6-12 setae. Clypeus on disk with 4-13-20 setae.

Dorsal face of mesosoma with 3-36-60 setae, in addition to microsculpture with longitudinal rugae. Pronotal spines gracile and, in cross-section, rather flat (if compared with P pirata sp. n.), their bases not or indistinctly raised over anterior pronotal disk (Figs 2, 3). Propodeum with dorsal and posterior face separated by almost straight ridge (Figs 3, 4). Sides of mesosoma, in addition to microsculpture, overlaid by longitudinal rugae, on propodeum dorsal of stigma slightly coarser (Fig 2). Femora with 4-13-20 setae, tibiae with 0-1-5 setae.

Gaster with isodiametric reticulum overlaid with fine striation (Fig 2); tergite 1 with 4-25-40 setae, tergite 2 with 12-15-20 setae, following tergites and all sternites with numerous setae increasing in length towards apex of abdomen.

Description of gyne: Measurements (n = 10): TL 9.4-10.5-10.9 mm, HW 2.00-2.13-2.25 mm, HL 2.38-2.61-2.73 mm, CI 79-82-89, SL 2.76-2.98-3.16 mm, SI 131-140-145, PSPD 2.36-2.62-2.88 mm, PPL 0.75-0.89-1.00 mm, PPW 1.38-1.53-1.65 mm, PPI 152-172-189, PTW 1.98-2.29-2.45 mm, MTL 2.95-3.09-3.23 mm.

Microsculpture on pronotum overlaid with fine striation, on propodeum overlaid with distinctly coarser striation than on pronotum. Gaster punctate, with very fine overlaying striation (Fig 6).

Chaetotaxy: on disk of clypeus 6-13-16, on frons 7-12-14, on vertex 15-20-28, on venter of head 10-13-19, on genae 2-8-14 setae. On dorsum of mesosoma 47-62-72 setae. On femora 12-21-36, on tibiae 1-8-17 setae. On tergite 1 30-41-55, on tergite 2 19- 25-40 setae.

Notes: Although P. cyaniventris is clearly more pilose than P. pirata sp. n., pilosity appears strongly variable. It is suspected that this is caused by partially rubbed off setae. Therefore, pilosity is expressed as minimum-average-maximum values to provide a more comprehensive picture.

Distribution: Central and Southern Luzon, Catanduanes, Mindoro, Samar, Leyte (Fig 11).

Biology: Habitats range from degraded primary dipterocarp forests to secondary forests and even extensively used coconut groves with rich undergrowth in lowlands and low montane regions. The second author frequently collected workers and gynes during daytime foraging on leaves and twigs of small trees and bushes, rarely on the ground, but did not encounter nest sites. Gary Alpert (in litt.) found nests occupying cavities in branches, both on the ground and in low vegetation; one nest had approximately 100 individuals and a single queen.