Taxonomic Studies on the Genus Polyrhachis Mayr of China (Hymenoptcra.Formicidae

The paper presents a taxonomic study on the genus Polyrhachis Mayr in China.Three species are new to science.Two former varieties are elevated to specific rank.One new synonym is proposed.Five species are recorded for the first time in China.A key to the genus Polyrhachis in China is presented.All the type specimens are kept in the Research Institute of Forestry CAF.1.Polyrhachis jianghuaensis Wang et Wu,new species (figs.1,4,5,9) The species resembles P.bicolor,but the new species differs from P.bicolor in very sparse hairs;mandibles,antennae and legs black;and the pronotal and propodeal spines directed backward and upward.Holotype: worker,Jianghua Co.,Hunan Province,7-VI-1978,Peng Jianwen and Yin Shicai legs.Gynetype: Female,same as the Holotype.Paratypes: 2 workers same as the holotype.2.Polyrhachis rubigastica Wu et Wang,new species (figs.2,6,8) This species is close to P.moesta but differs from the latter in thefollowing characters: without teeth between the petiole spines;frontal crinae closer;and color of antennal scapes and gaster paler.Holotype: worker,Qinzhou city,Guanxi Autonomous Region,2-VII-1984,Xi Fusheng leg.,Paratype: 1 worker,same as the holotype.3.Polyrhachis dives Smith Polyrhachis vicina Roger,1863,Verz.Form,Gatt.u.Art.(Bent,ent.zeit.Vol.7) p.7,Syn.n.Bingham says P.vicina is very allied to P.dives,but differs from the latter in having 3 not 2 teeth between petiole spines.We find out that the ants with 2 or 3 teeth between petiole spines are existed in a colony.Their body length,shape of alitrunk and leg thickness vary in a certain degree.In our opinion,P.vicina is a synonym of P.dives.Dr.Wolfgang Dorow (Zoologisches Institut,J.W.Goethe-Universitat,Federal Republic of Germany) expressed the same opinion (private communification).4.Polyrhachis armata (Le Guillou),new record Distribution: Longchuan Co.and Ruili Co.,Yunnan Province.5.Polyrhachis bicolor Smith,new record Distribution: Mengla Co.,Yunnan Province.6.Polyrhachis moesta Emery,new status P.hippomanes var.moesta Emery 1887,Ann.Mus.Civ.Geneva 26:237.In moesta pronotal angles have short teeth,which lacks in hippomanes.It is a clear difference between the two species.So we elevate moesta to specific rank.7.Polyrhachis laevigata Smith,new record Distribution;Mengla Co.,Yunnan Province.8.Polyrhachis dorsorugösa Forel,new status P.latona var.dorsorugosa Forel,1913,Arch.f.Natur.79,A,6:202.The main difference between latona and dorsorugosa lies in the longitu-dal ridges in the head except front and clypeus.We think that this is a stable specific character and it is more appropriate to take dorsorugosa as an independant species.9.Polyrhachis punctilleta Roger,new recordDistributions: Guilin City,Guangxi Autonomous Region;Xichang City,Sichuan Province.10.Polyrhachis paracamponota Wang et Wu,new species,(figs.3,7)The new species is allied to Philippine ant parabiotica Smith in the shape of alitrink.But the new species differs from it in pronotum with two humerial teeth not spines,body subopaque,with white pubscence and throughout abundant hairs,color black with the alitrunk and petiole paler.Holotype: worker,Ningming Co.,Guangxi Autonomous Region,Zhang Peiyi leg.