Pheidole sparsa, Salata & Fisher, 2020
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publication ID |
https://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.949.51269 |
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publication LSID |
lsid:zoobank.org:pub:93BFA448-BB73-43CD-BC4E-A86090DA63D5 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/C1B77D52-778D-4B0D-9DAA-308706043971 |
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taxon LSID |
lsid:zoobank.org:act:C1B77D52-778D-4B0D-9DAA-308706043971 |
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treatment provided by |
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scientific name |
Pheidole sparsa |
| status |
sp. nov. |
Pheidole sparsa sp. nov. Figs 55A-F View Figure 55 , 64M View Figure 64 , 67E View Figure 67
Type material.
Holotype. Madagascar. • 1 major worker; Mahajanga; Region Sofia, Bemanevika; -14.337, 48.58874; alt. 1606 m; 14 Jan 2015; B. L. Fisher et al. leg.; montane rainforest, ex rotten log; BLF35640; CASENT0705586 (CASC). Paratype. • 1w.; same data as for holotype; CASENT0923289 (CASC).
Other material.
Madagascar. - Mahajanga: •1w., 1s.; Region Sofia, Bemanevika; -14.337, 48.58874; alt. 1606 m; 14 Jan 2015; B. L. Fisher et al. leg.; montane rainforest, ex rotten log; BLF35624 (CASC). • 1w., 1s.; Region Sofia, Bemanevika; -14.337, 48.58874; alt. 1606 m; 14 Jan 2015; B. L. Fisher et al. leg.; montane rainforest, ex rotten log; BLF35664 (CASC). • 1w., 1s.; Region Sofia, Bemanevika; -14.337, 48.58874; alt. 1606 m; 15 Jan 2015; B. L. Fisher et al. leg.; montane rainforest, ex rotten log; BLF35713 (CASC).
Diagnosis.
Moderately large species. Major workers. Head in full-face view sub-oval, not widening posteriorly, with anterior and posterior sides relatively straight, in lateral view sub-oval; ventral and dorsal faces convex; sides of the head with dense, moderately long, suberect to erect pilosity; medial part of frons with moderately sparse, thick, longitudinal, and interrupted rugae, rugae in posteromedial slightly directed outward, interspaces shiny with sparse and indistinct rugofoveolae; anterolateral sides with longitudinal, thick, and relatively sparse rugae; posterolateral sides with irregular, thick, and relatively sparse rugae; interspaces shiny with sparse and indistinct rugofoveolae; occipital lobes and area posterolateral from eyes without smooth notches; scape, when laid back, exceeding the midlength of head by two-fifths of its length; inner hypostomal teeth distinct, large, closely spaced, triangular, with rounded apex directed upward; outer hypostomal teeth lobe-like, approximately the same height and width as inner hypostomal teeth, apex directed outward; inner and outer hypostomal teeth closely spaced and not connected by concavity; promesonotum predominantly smooth, with indistinct rugofoveolae on lateral sides; katepisternum rugofoveolate with smooth notch; propodeum rugofoveolate; gaster smooth; body dark orange. Minor workers. Head foveolate; medial part of frons with smooth notch and indistinct, short rugulae; area posterolateral from eyes predominantly smooth; scape, when laid back, surpassing the posterior head margin by one-fifth of its length; promesonotum moderately low and moderately long, arched; promesonotal groove absent; propodeal spines small and triangular; pronotum with very indistinct and sparse foveolae; mesonotum, anepisternum, katepisternum, and propodeum smooth; body dark yellow.
Description.
Major workers. Measurements (N = 4): HL: 0.94-1.13 (1.06); HW: 0.94-1.1 (1.04); SL: 0.61-0.72 (0.67); EL: 0.12-0.14 (0.13); WL: 0.93-1.0 (0.98); PSL: 0.16-0.2 (0.18); MTL: 0.6-0.65 (0.62); PNW: 0.41-0.5 (0.45); PTW: 0.14-0.18 (0.16); PPW: 0.27-0.32 (0.3); CI: 99.0-103.0 (101.7); SI: 62.7-65.5 (64.7); PSLI: 15.9-17.5 (16.7); PPI: 45.2-61.7 (53.9); PNI: 42.6-45.4 (43.6); MTI: 55.9-64.7 (59.4).
Head. In full-face view sub-oval, not widening posteriorly, with anterior and posterior sides relatively straight (Fig. 55B View Figure 55 ). In lateral view sub-oval; ventral and dorsal faces convex; inner hypostomal teeth visible. Sides of the head with dense, moderately long, erect pilosity; whole head with dense, long, decumbent to erect pilosity. Medial part of frons with moderately sparse, thick, longitudinal, and interrupted rugae, posteromedial rugae slightly directed outward, interspaces shiny with sparse and indistinct rugofoveolae; anterolateral sides with longitudinal, thick, and relatively sparse rugae; posterolateral sides with irregular, thick, and relatively sparse rugae; interspaces shiny with sparse and indistinct rugofoveolae. Occipital lobes with sparse, thick, and irregular rugae; interspaces smooth. Gena with relatively sparse, thick, and longitudinal rugae and smooth interspaces. Area posterolateral from eyes with thin and dense rugofoveolae and smooth interspaces. Centre of clypeus smooth and shiny, lateral sides with indistinct rugulae; median notch present, moderately wide, and shallow; median longitudinal carina absent; lateral longitudinal carinae absent. Scape, when laid back, exceeding the midlength of head by two-fifths of its length; pilosity subdecumbent to erect (Fig. 55B, D View Figure 55 ). Inner hypostomal teeth distinct, large, closely spaced, triangular, with rounded apex directed upward; outer hypostomal teeth lobe-like, approximately the same height and width as inner hypostomal teeth, apex directed outward; inner and outer hypostomal teeth closely spaced and not connected by concavity (Fig. 64M View Figure 64 ). Mesosoma. In lateral view, promesonotum short, angular, and moderately low, posterior mesonotum moderately steep, mesonotal process indistinct, tubercle-like; promesonotal groove absent; metanotal groove indistinct; propodeal spines moderately long, moderately narrow, with acute apex; humeral area laterally weakly produced (Fig. 55D View Figure 55 ). Surface shiny; promesonotum predominantly smooth, with indistinct rugofoveolae on lateral sides; katepisternum rugofoveolae with smooth notch; propodeum rugofoveolate. Pilosity relatively dense, long, and erect (Fig. 55D, F View Figure 55 ). Petiole. Shiny with fine and sparse rugofoveolae; node smooth, low, triangular, with rounded and thin apex, in rear view node dorsoventrally slightly convex; pilosity moderately sparse and erect (Fig. 55D, F View Figure 55 ). Postpetiole. Shiny and smooth; in dorsal view oval, lateral margins medially with two dentate projections; pilosity long, moderately sparse, and erect (Fig. 55D, F View Figure 55 ). Gaster. Shiny and smooth; pilosity moderately dense, long, and erect (Fig. 55D, F View Figure 55 ). Colour. Dark orange; mandibles and gaster slightly darker; legs yellowish (Fig. 55D, F View Figure 55 ).
Minor workers. Measurements (N = 4): HL: 0.59-0.6 (0.59); HW: 0.49-0.52 (0.51); SL: 0.58-0.66 (0.62); EL: 0.09-0.11 (0.1); WL: 0.7-0.73 (0.72); PSL: 0.08-0.1 (0.09); MTL: 0.47-0.52 (0.49); PNW: 0.34-0.35 (0.34); PTW: 0.08-0.1 (0.09); PPW: 0.14-0.15 (0.14); CI: 116.0-119.6 (117.1); SI: 115.0-133.4 (123.3); PSLI: 14.0-16.2 (15.4); PPI: 53.1-69.9 (63.1); PNI: 65.3-69.6 (67.6); MTI: 92.9-102.4 (97.9).
Head. Cephalic margin indistinctly convex or straight (Fig. 55A View Figure 55 ). Pilosity relatively sparse, long, decumbent to suberect. Sculpture foveolate; medial part of frons with smooth notch and indistinct, short rugulae; area posterolateral from eyes predominantly smooth. Clypeus with median longitudinal carina absent; two lateral longitudinal carinae absent. Scape, when laid back, surpassing the posterior head margin by one-fifth of its length; pilosity dense, subdecumbent to erect (Fig. 55A, C View Figure 55 ). Mesosoma. In lateral view, promesonotum moderately low and moderately long, arched; promesonotal groove absent; metanotal groove distinct; propodeal spines small and triangular (Fig. 55C View Figure 55 ). Pronotum with very indistinct and sparse foveolae; mesonotum, anepisternum, katepisternum, and propodeum smooth. Pilosity very sparse, moderately long, and erect (Fig. 55C, E View Figure 55 ). Postpetiole. Short, low, and relatively flat; with few short, erect setae (Fig. 55C, E View Figure 55 ). Gaster. With sparse, erect pilosity (Fig. 55C, E View Figure 55 ). Colour. Dark yellow, vertex and gaster slightly darker (Fig. 55C, E View Figure 55 ).
Etymology.
Latin for sparse in reference to sparse rugae on the frons.
Biology.
The species was collected at 1606 m in elevation, in montane rainforest. Nests were located in rotten logs.
Comments.
Pheidole sparsa sp. nov., described from Bemanevika in Mahajanga, is most similar to P. dasos sp. nov., known from Makirovana forest in Antsiranana, and P. hazo sp. nov., recorded so far only from the vicinity of Andranoma in Antananarivo. Majors of P. sparsa sp. nov. can be distinguished from both taxa mentioned above by medial part of frons with moderately sparse rugae, interspaces with sparse and indistinct rugofoveolae, and predominantly smooth promesonotum with indistinct rugofoveolae on lateral sides; minors of P. sparsa sp. nov. can be distinguished from P. hazo sp. nov. by dark yellow body colouration and propodeum with indistinct and sparse foveolae, and from P. dasos sp. nov. by dark yellow body colouration, shorter scape surpassing the posterior head margin by one-fifth of its length, and pronotum with very indistinct and sparse foveolae.
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