A revision of Pheidole Westwood (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the islands of the Southwest Indian Ocean and designation of a neotype for the invasive Pheidole megacephala FISCHER, G. FISHER, B. L. Zootaxa 2013 2013-07-05 3683 4 301 356 CML3N Fischer & Fisher 2013 [151,392,1617,1643] Insecta Formicidae Pheidole Animalia Hymenoptera 15 316 Arthropoda species decepticon sp. nov.  ( Figs. 15A–F)     Holotype:(major worker), MAYOTTE, Mont Chongui, 12.95945 S, 45.1341 E,  380 m, rainforest, ex rotten log, collection code BLF18916,  28.xi.2007(  B.L. Fisheret al.) ( CASC: CASENT0132558).    Paratypes:(3 major & 10 minor workers), Mont Chongui, 12.95945 S, 45.1341 E,  380 m, rainforest, sifted leaf litter, collection code BLF18922,  28.xi.2007(  B.L. Fisheret al.) ( BMNH: CASENT0133665, CASENT0133713;  CASC: CASENT0133661, CASENT0133677, CASENT0133678, CASENT0133705, CASENT0133710, CASENT0133715;  MHNG: CASENT0133674, CASENT0133708); (1 minor worker), Mont Chongui, 12.95945 S, 45.1341 E,  380 m, rainforest, on low vegetation, collection code BLF18897,  28.xi.2007(  B.L. Fisheret al.) ( CASC: CASENT0132583); (1 minor worker), Mont Chongui, 12.996 S, 45.1343 E,  550 m, rainforest, sifted leaf litter, collection code BLF18860,  28.xi.2007(  B.L. Fisheret al.) ( CASC: CASENT0125677).   Diagnosis: Moderately small species (WL major 0.95–1.12 mm, WL minor 0.57–0.86 mm), minor and major workers with moderately short scapes and legs (SI major 46–57, FI major 64–78, SI minor 107–130, FI minor 102– 134); postpetiole of both worker subcastes with moderately large, often anteriorly situated, ventral process, propodeal spines often very short, promesonotal process absent or inconspicuous, standing hairs relatively fine, acute, and abundant, with many shorter hairs in between. Majorhead anteriorly longitudinally rugose and posterior 2/5 smooth and shiny (as in  P. megacephala), postpetiole on average about 1.7 times wider than petiole (PpWI 155–183). Minorworker face and promesonotal dorsum smooth and shiny, head about 1.1 times longer than wide (CI 87–94), postpetiole on average about 0.7 times as long as petiole (PpLI 58–79).   Description of major workers: Measurements ( holotype): HW 1.29, HL 1.36, SL 0.66, MDL 0.73, EL 0.16, WL 1.02, PNH 0.43, PNW 0.61, MNH 0.67, PDH 0.35, PTL 0.38, PPL 0.24, PTH 0.23, PPH 0.25, PTW 0.17, PPW 0.28, PSL 0.14, MFL 0.87, MTL 0.65, CI 95, SI 51, MDI 57, EI 12, FI 67, PSLI 11, LPpI 96, DPpI 117, PpWI 165, PpLI 63, PpHI 109. Measurements (n=13): HW 1.12–1.44 (1.31), HL 1.10–1.44 (1.31), SL 0.60–0.74 (0.67), MDL 0.58–0.84 (0.71), EL 0.15–0.19 (0.17), WL 0.95–1.12 (1.05), PNH 0.38–0.47 (0.43), PNW 0.58–0.69 (0.63), MNH 0.64–0.75 (0.70), PDH 0.31–0.40 (0.36), PTL 0.33–0.44 (0.39), PPL 0.23–0.28 (0.26), PTH 0.22–0.26 (0.24), PPH 0.24–0.29 (0.27), PTW 0.18–0.22 (0.20), PPW 0.28–0.37 (0.33), PSL 0.13–0.21 (0.16), MFL 0.81–0.90 (0.86), MTL 0.59– 0.78 (0.67), CI 96–103 (100), SI 46–57 (52), MDI 48–60 (54), EI 11–15 (13), FI 64–78 (70), PSLI 11–16 (12), LPpI 85–108 (97), DPpI 115–148 (127), PpWI 155–183 (166), PpLI 56–77 (67), PpHI 104–114 (110). Head about as long as wide (CI 95–103), usually heart shaped, with convex sides and posterior emargination relatively deep (as in  P. megacephala). Mandibles smooth and shiny and of moderate length (MDI 48–60), clypeus smooth with weak to superficial median and lateral carinae. Frons and sides of head anteriorly longitudinally rugose, interspaces superficially to weakly punctate. Posterior 2/5 of face, behind level where scapes end when laid back, smooth and shiny, but sometimes medially with irregular weak rugulae extending to posterior margin. Frontal carinae short to moderately short, antennal scrobe absent to inconspicuous. Scapes of medium length (SI 46–57) with decumbent to subdecumbent pilosity and few longer suberect to erect hairs along outer edge. Submedian hypostomal teeth very small to inconspicuous, median process absent. Promesonotum convex in profile, without prominent promesonotal process, posterior declivity often weakly marginate anteriorly (at posterior end of pronotum), oblique and angulate at its lower portion, humeri not laterally produced in dorsal view. Dorsum of promesonotum smooth or superficially punctate and usually with weak to superficial irregular transverse rugulae, lateropronotum weakly to superficially punctate, anteriorly weakly rugulose and medially smooth, remainder of mesosoma densely and finely punctate. Metanotal groove barely or not impressed, cross-ribs superficially developed. Spines moderately short and acute ( PSI11–16), shorter than the distance between their bases. Metafemur relatively short (FI 64–78), metatibia on inner edge with decumbent pilosity, on outer edge with decumbent to suberect pilosity. Postpetiole on average almost as high as long (LPpI 85–108), in profile with a weakly rounded to subacute, anteriorly directed, ventral process, in dorsal view trapezoidal, about 1.7 times wider than petiole (PpWI 155–183). Dorsum of petiole and postpetiole smooth to superficially punctate, remainder punctate. Gaster smooth. Standing hairs on dorsal surfaces abundant, relatively long, acute, with abundant, decumbent to suberect, shorter pilosity in between. Color orange to reddish brown, gaster often darker.  Description of minor workers:Measurements (n=21): HW 0.44–0.67 (0.56), HL 0.49–0.73 (0.62), SL 0.49– 0.74 (0.66), MDL 0.24–0.41 (0.36), EL 0.10–0.13 (0.12), WL 0.57–0.86 (0.74), PNH 0.20–0.31 (0.26), PNW 0.28–0.43 (0.36), MNH 0.37–0.54 (0.47), PDH 0.18–0.29 (0.24), PTL 0.20–0.35 (0.26), PPL 0.14–0.21 (0.18), PTH 0.12–0.17 (0.15), PPH 0.13–0.21 (0.17), PTW 0.08–0.12 (0.10), PPW 0.12–0.22 (0.18), PSL 0.05–0.09 (0.08), MFL 0.49–0.80 (0.67), MTL 0.36–0.60 (0.51), CI 87–94 (91), SI 107–130 (117), MDI 52–70 (64), EI 19– 23 (21), FI 102–134 (119), PSLI 11–16 (13), LPpI 90–133 (108), DPpI 88–117 (100), PpWI 155–191 (173), PpLI 58–79 (71), PpHI 100–133 (116). Head shape ovoid, slightly longer than wide (CI 87–94), posteriorly slightly compressed with head margin almost straight, sides convex, posterior head margin moderately to relatively wide with rounded lateral corners, medially concave, occipital carina very narrow, almost invisible in full-face view. Mandibles relatively short (MDI 52–70) and smooth, except for faint rugulation laterobasally. Clypeus and rest of face mostly smooth, clypeal carinae absent. Few concentric rugulae around antennal insertion present, with few additional longitudinal rugulae toward posterior margin of eyes. Scapes moderately long (SI 107–130), when laid back surpassing posterior head margin at least by length of tenth funicular segment, with relatively coarse, suberect to erect pilosity. Promesonotal outline in lateral view roundly convex, declining evenly from highest point toward very shallowly impressed metanotal groove, posterior process absent. Propodeum in profile about as long as high, with dorsum slightly convex. Propodeal spines often very short and reduced, much shorter than distance between their bases, subtriangular and acute (PSLI 11–16, mean 13). Pronotum smooth dorsally and laterally except superficial punctures anteriorly near the neck, mesonotum smooth dorsally, mesopleuron and propodeum punctate, sometimes superficially punctate around propodeal spiracle. Metafemur short (FI 102–134), metatibia with coarse subdecumbent to suberect pilosity and some longer suberect hairs on outer edge. Postpetiole in profile with moderately large ventral process anteriorly, on average 1.1 times longer than high (LPpI 90–133), and 0.7 times as long as petiole (PpLI 58–79). Petiole and postpetiole dorsally smooth, remainder weakly to superficially punctate. Gaster smooth and shiny. Standing hairs abundant to sometimes very abundant, slender, whitish, acute, with several longer and many shorter hairs dorsally on head, pronotum, postpetiole, and gaster. Color orange to completely brown with gaster often slightly darker.   Discussion:  Pheidole decepticonis a relatively widespread  megacephalagroup species on the islands neighboring Madagascar. It occurs on the Comoros( Anjouan Island), Mayotte, Juan de Nova Island, and on the Cosmoledo Atoll of the Seychelles, which is located about 415 kmnortheast of Mayotte. Morphologically very similar to  P. megacephalaand  P. megatron, the three are the only  megacephalagroup species currently encountered on the smaller islands. Other species, such as the previously reported  P. punctulata, were not collected recently on any of the islands. On Anjouan Island  P. decepticonoccurs together with  P. megacephalaand  P. megatron.The latter was collected in lowland dry forest, coastal scrub land, and in a coconut plantation, while  P. decepticonwas found in rainforest, lowland coastal forest,  Casuarinaforest, old settlements, coral karst scrubland, and along roadsides.  Pheidole megacephalawas not found in forested habitats on Anjouan, but was collected once from within a coastal village. Whether the other two species occur in direct sympatry, or if they are spatially or ecologically separated is not known. The minor and major workers of  P. decepticonare best separated from those of the other two species by their standing hairs, which are more abundant, fine and acute compared to the more sparsely distributed standing hairs that often end in blunt or bifurcate apices in  P. megacephalaand  P. megatron. In addition, the postpetiolar ventral process of the major workers is less roundly convex and slightly smaller in the  P. decepticonspecimens (see also under discussion of  P. megatron&  P. megacephala).   Etymology:This new species is named after the nefarious alien robot warriors called Decepticons, who are the antagonists of the Autobots in the famous Transformers universe. The name is a noun in apposition and thus invariable.   Additional material examined:   COMOROS:  Anjouan: 12.1877 S, 44.3593 E, 65 m, coastal roadside,  26.i.2009(  B.L. Fisheret al.);  12.2576 S, 44.3891 E, 20 m, along roadside,  27.i.2009(  B.L. Fisheret al.);  JUAN DE NOVA ISLAND: 17.0487 S, 42.7101 E, 10 m, littoral vegetation,  11.iv.2011(  B.L. Fisheret al.);  17.0527 S, 42.7163 E, 12 m, sandy trail in  Casuarinaforest,  11.iv.2011(  B.L. Fisheret al.);  17.0618 S, 42.7251 E, 5 m, scrub on coastal karst,  12.iv.2011(  B.L. Fisheret al.);  17.0605 S, 42.7243 E, 12 m,  Casuarinaforest,  12.iv.2011(  B.L. Fisheret al.);  17.0518 S, 42.7265 E, 10m, old settlement,  13.iv.2011(  B.L. Fisheret al.);  Trail to Troubleu, 17.0531 S, 42.7341 E, Bordde sentier,  30.vii.2007(  G. Cazanove);   MAYOTTE: Mont Combani, 12.8063 S, 45.1531 E, 370 m, rainforest,  25.xi.2007(  B.L. Fisheret al.);  Tanaraki, 12.7575 S, 45.0678 E, 10 m, coastal scrub,  26.xi.2007(  B.L. Fisheret al.);  Dapani, 12.9749 S, 45.1618 E, 1 m, mangrove, coastal scrub,  27.xi.2007(  B.L. Fisheret al.);  Mont Chonguisummit, 12.9957 S, 45.1343 E, 550 m, rainforest,  28.xi.2007(  B.L. Fisheret al.);  Rèserve Forestière Sohoa, 12.8059 S, 45.1005 E, coastal scrub, rainforest,  29.xi.2007(  B.L. Fisheret al.);  Mont Benara, 12.8758 S, 45.1567 E, 425 m, rainforest,  30.xi.2007(  B.L. Fisheret al.);  Rèserve Forestière Sohoa, 12.8124 S, 45.1048 E, 10 m, coastal dry forest,  01.xii.2007(  B.L. Fisheret al.);  Dapani, 12.9628 S, 45.1504 E, 135 m, rainforest,  02.xii.2007(  B.L. Fisheret al.);  Rèserve Forestière Majimbini, 12.7689 S, 45.1902 E, 350 m, rainforest,  03.xii.2007(  B.L. Fisheret al.);  Petite Terre, 12.7912S, 45.294 E, 125 m, coastal scrub,  04.xii.2007(  B.L. Fisheret al.);  Mlima Choungi, near crossroad GRMT1 & CCT11, forest,  19.vii.1998(  R. Jocque);  Petite Terre, Dziani Dzaha, 12.7833 S, 45.1167 E,  19.ii.1999(  R. Jocque& G. DeSmet);  Mt. Benara, track to reserve gate, 12.8667 S, 45.1833 E, 250 m / 270 m,  23.ii.1999(  R. Jocque& G. DeSmet);  Mt. Benara, 12.8667 S, 45.1833 E, 630 m, forest litter,  23.ii.1999(  R. Jocque& G. DeSmet);  Sazile, 12.9667 S, 45.1667 E, dry forest litter,  26.ii.1999(  R. Jocque& G. DeSmet);  Coconi, SDA ( Service du Développement Agricole), 12.8333 S, 45.1333 E, wet area with giant bamboo,  18.ii.1999(  R. Jocque& G. DeSmet);  Mt. Chongui, 12.8 S, 45.1 E, 360 m, forest near fallen tree,  15.ii.1999(  R. Jocque& G. DeSmet);  Dziani Karihani, 12.7833 S, 45.1167 E, forest,  14.ii.1999(  R. Jocque& G. DeSmet);  Sada, 12.7786 S, 45.1403 E, in house,  3.iii.1999(  M. Charleux);  Tsingoni, 12.7833 S, 45.1 E, litter of shrubs on mangrove edge,  27.ii.1999(  R. Jocque& G. DeSmet);   SEYCHELLES:  Cosmoledo Atoll( Wizard Island): on dune, grass, 9.75611 S, 47.6467 E, 10 m, lowland coastal, coralline island,  21.xi.2011(  G. Galman). 3736261314 BLF18916 2007-11-28 CASC B. L. Fisher Mayotte 380 -12.95945 Mont Chongui 5 45.1341 15 316 CASENT0132558 1 holotype 3736261369 BLF18922 2007-11-28 BMNH B. L. Fisher 380 -12.95945 Mont Chongui 5 45.1341 15 316 CASENT0133665, CASENT0133713 1 1 paratype 3736261428 BLF18922 2007-11-28 BMNH, CASC, MHNG B. L. Fisher 380 -12.95945 5 45.1341 15 316 CASENT0133665, CASENT0133713, CASENT0133661, CASENT0133677, CASENT0133678, CASENT0133705, CASENT0133710, CASENT0133715, CASENT0133674, CASENT0133708 1 paratype 3736261572 BLF18922 [599,1362,1903,1927] 2007-11-28 MHNG B. L. Fisher 380 -12.95945 Mont Chongui 5 45.1341 15 316 CASENT0133674, CASENT0133708 1 1 paratype 3736261301 BLF18897 2007-11-28 CASC B. L. Fisher 380 -12.95945 5 45.1341 15 316 CASENT0132583 1 paratype 3736261394 BLF18860 2007-11-28 CASC B. L. Fisher 550 -12.996 55 45.1343 15 316 CASENT0125677 1 paratype 3736261580 2009-01-26 B. L. Fisher Comoros 65 -12.1877 Anjouan 7 44.3593 18 319 1 Anjouan 3736261410 [483,1310,908,932] 2009-01-27 B. L. Fisher 20 -12.2576 7 44.3891 18 319 1 4112437311 2011-04-11 B. L. Fisher 10 -17.0487 ISLAND 7 42.7101 18 319 1 4112437303 2011-04-11 B. L. Fisher 12 -17.0527 Casuarina 7 42.7163 18 319 1 3736261330 2011-04-12 B. L. Fisher 5 -17.0618 7 42.7251 18 319 1 3736261561 2011-04-12 B. L. Fisher 12 -17.0605 Casuarina 7 42.7243 Casuarina 18 319 1 3736261500 [324,1206,1052,1076] 2011-04-13 B. L. Fisher 10 -17.0518 7 42.7265 18 319 1 3736261592 2007-07-30 G. Cazanove -17.0531 Bord 7 42.7341 Trail to Trou 18 319 1 3736261456 2007-11-25 B. L. Fisher Mayotte 370 -12.8063 Mont Combani 7 45.1531 18 319 1 3736261547 2007-11-26 B. L. Fisher 10 -12.7575 Tanaraki 7 45.0678 18 319 1 3736261528 2007-11-27 B. L. Fisher 1 -12.9749 Dapani 7 45.1618 18 319 1 3736261465 [320,1436,1196,1220] 2007-11-28 B. L. Fisher 550 -12.9957 Mont Chongui 7 45.1343 18 319 1 3736261338 [151,1366,1231,1256] 2007-11-29 B. L. Fisher -12.8059 Reserve Forestiere Sohoa 7 45.1005 18 319 1 3736261489 2007-11-30 B. L. Fisher 425 -12.8758 Mont Benara 7 45.1567 18 319 1 3736261417 2007-12-01 B. L. Fisher 10 -12.8124 Reserve Forestiere Sohoa 7 45.1048 Reserve Forestiere Sohoa 18 319 1 3736261340 2007-12-02 B. L. Fisher 135 -12.9628 Dapani 7 45.1504 Dapani 18 319 1 3736261332 2007-12-03 B. L. Fisher 350 -12.7689 Reserve Forestiere Majimbini 7 45.1902 18 319 1 3736261554 2007-12-04 B. L. Fisher 125 -12.7912 Petite Terre 54 45.294 18 319 1 3736261471 [320,1286,1412,1436] 1998-07-19 GRMT, CCT R. Jocque Mlima Choungi 18 319 GRMT1, CCT11 1 3736261559 1999-02-19 R. Jocque & G. DeSmet -12.7833 Dziani Dzaha 7 45.1167 Petite Terre 18 319 1 3736261558 1999-02-23 R. Jocque & G. DeSmet 250 -12.8667 Mt. Benara 7 45.1833 18 319 1 3736261478 1999-02-23 R. Jocque & G. DeSmet 630 -12.8667 Mt. Benara 7 45.1833 18 319 1 3736261549 1999-02-26 R. Jocque & G. DeSmet -12.9667 Sazile 7 45.1667 18 319 1 3736261555 1999-02-18 R. Jocque & G. DeSmet -12.8333 Service du Developpement Agricole 7 45.1333 Coconi 18 319 1 3736261586 1999-02-15 R. Jocque & G. DeSmet 360 -12.8 Mt. Chongui 7759 45.1 18 319 1 3736261315 1999-02-14 R. Jocque & G. DeSmet -12.7833 Dziani Karihani 7 45.1167 18 319 1 3736261484 [264,1002,1663,1688] 1999-03-03 M. Charleux -12.7786 Sada 7 45.1403 18 319 1 3736261416 1999-02-27 R. Jocque & G. DeSmet -12.7833 Tsingoni 5417 45.1 18 319 1 3736261362 2011-11-21 G. Galman Seychelles 10 -9.75611 Wizard Island 5 47.6467 Cosmoledo Atoll 18 319 1