Polyrhachis concava André

Type location Sierra Leone (André, 1889: 218, worker; André, 1892a: 45, queen; Bolton, 1973b: 299, illustrated, full-face view, alitrunk profile, anterior petiole) collector Mocquerys; see Bolton, 1995) .

Andre's (1889) description is at . Bolton's modern description (1973b) is at

WORKER - TL 6.8-7.6 mm, HL 1.85-1.92, HW 1.29-1.30, SL 2.29-2.40, PW 1.00-1.18
Erect hairs only on the anterior clypeal margin and apex of the gaster. Pubescence yellowish to pale golden, densest on the alitrunk. The side view of the eye is unique in that the ventral margin is raised and extended giving the eye a reniform (kidney-shaped) outline. Anterior margin of clypeus arcuate and entire. Dorsum of alitrunk transversely concave especially the propodeum. Alitrunk marginate throughout its length, interrupted only at the sutures, the marginations projecting and flange-like. Pronotum with a pair of spines and the propodeum with a pair of, usually small, upcurved teeth. Anterior face of first gastral segment vertical and not convex in the middle.

Wheeler (1922) listed findings from Cameroun (by H. Brauns, at Mundame by Conradt, at Bibundi by Tessmann, and at Yaoundé by Zenker); also others from Congo and Zaïre. Forel (1911f) found specimens in the Congo Museum from Zaïre, Congo da Lemba, by Mayné.

Other collections from Ghana, at CRIG (B. Bolton), and Atewa Forest Reserve (D. Leston); Cameroun (no details); Gabon, Zaïre and Congo (Bolton, 1973b).

Bernard (1952, not referred to by Bolton, 1973b) described it as a slender ant, rare in collections, known from Sierra Leone, Cameroun and Congo. In Guinea it was found at Nion (1 worker), Kéoulenta (2 workers), Camp IV, 1000 m (5 workers); specimens with a golden pubescence on the thorax.

In Nigeria, collected by me from shrub vegetation at CRIN, the first Nigerian record.

The photomontage is of a (somewhat dirty) specimen from Gabon, Pongara NP, edge of savannah, 8.viii.2006, collected by Yves Braet. Other images can be seen in the folder at -