Pheidole bemarivoensis, Salata & Fisher, 2020

Salata, Sebastian & Fisher, Brian L., 2020, Pheidole Westwood, 1839 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of Madagascar - an introduction and a taxonomic revision of eleven species groups, ZooKeys 905, pp. 1-235 : 1

Pheidole bemarivoensis sp. nov. Figs 60A-F , 84H , 86H

Type material.

Holotype. Madagascar. •1 major worker; Mahajanga; Réserve Spéciale de Bemarivo, 23.8 km 223°SW Besalampy; -16.925, 44.36833; alt. 30 m; 19 Nov 2002; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; BLF06797, CASENT0489439 (CASC). Paratypes. Madagascar. •8w., 2s., 6m.; same data as for holotype; CASENT0923160, CASENT0235042, CASENT0489441, CASENT0489440, CASENT0489442, CASENT0489438, CASENT0489437, CASENT0872160-CASENT0872168 (CASC).

Other material.

Madagascar. - Antsiranana: •4w., 3s., 1q.; Ampasindava, Andranomatavy Forest; -13.6648, 47.98702; alt. 275 m; 7 Oct 2013; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0369320, CASENT0369321, CASENT0369333, CASENT0370561 (CASC). •9w., 6s.; Ampasindava, Forêt d’Ambilanivy, 3.9 km 181°S Ambaliha; -13.79861, 48.16167; alt. 600 m; 4 Mar 2001; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0420033-CASENT0420035, CASENT0420037, CASENT0420038, CASENT0421224, CASENT0427706, CASENT0427707, CASENT0427894 (CASC). •2w., 2s.; Forêt Ambato, 26.6 km 33° Ambanja; -13.4645, 48.55167; alt. 150 m; 10 Dec 2004; B.L. Fisher leg.; CASENT0107077, CASENT0107715 (CASC). •4w., 2s.; Galoko chain, Mont Galoko; -13.58745, 48.71419; alt. 380 m; 23 Feb 2013; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0302986, CASENT0302993, CASENT0302995, CASENT0303012, CASENT0303013, CASENT0303015 (CASC). •2w., 1s.; Galoko chain, Mont Galoko; -13.58487, 48.71818; alt. 520 m; 19 Feb 2013; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0302958, CASENT0303564 (CASC). •5w., 4s.; Nosy Be, Réserve Naturelle Intégrale de Lokobe, 6.3 km 112°ESE Hellville; -13.41933, 48.33117; alt. 30 m; 19 Mar 2001; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0421454, CASENT0421455, CASENT0427817, CASENT0427823, CASENT0427829, CASENT0466223, CASENT0466279 (CASC). •1w., 3s.; R.S. Manongarivo, 10.8 km 229°SW Antanambao; -13.96167, 48.43333; alt. 400 m; 8 Nov 1998; B.L. Fisher leg.; CASENT0198891, CASENT0198892 (CASC). •2w., 6s.; Sahamalaza Peninsula, Forêt d’Anabohazo, 21.6 km 247°WSW Maromandia; -14.30889, 47.91433; alt. 120 m; 11 Mar 2001; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0406442, CASENT0406444, CASENT0406447, CASENT0406454, CASENT0458224, CASENT0484564 (CASC). - Mahajanga: •4s.; Parc National de Namoroka, 16.9 km 317°NW Vilanandro; -16.40667, 45.31; alt. 100 m; 12 Nov 2002; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0038950, CASENT0038953, CASENT0486454 (CASC). •2w., 1s.; Parc National Tsingy de Bemaraha, 10.6 km ESE 123° Antsalova; -18.70944, 44.71817; alt. 150 m; 16 Nov 2001; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0437624, CASENT0437625, CASENT0437632 (CASC). •6w., 3s., 1m.; Parc National Tsingy de Bemaraha, 2.5 km 62°ENE Bekopaka, Ankidrodroa River; -19.13222, 44.81467; alt. 100 m; 11 Nov 2001; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0425317, CASENT0425320, CASENT0425323, CASENT0443937, CASENT0443958, CASENT0443966, CASENT0443973, CASENT0444152, CASENT0444155 (CASC). •1w.; Réserve forestière Beanka, 53.6 km E Maintirano; -18.04014, 44.53394; alt. 272 m; 25 Oct 2009; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0156697 (CASC). •6w., 8s.; Réserve Spéciale de Bemarivo, 23.8 km 223°SW Besalampy; -16.925, 44.36833; alt. 30 m; 19 Nov 2002; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0491028, CASENT0491029, CASENT0491089, CASENT0491090, CASENT0491091 (CASC).

Diagnosis.

Major workers. Small species: HL: HL: 1.01-1.07 (1.04); HW: 0.94-1.02 (0.99), WL: 0.75-0.81 (0.78); head in full-face view square, anterior and posterior sides of eyes slightly convex; in lateral view sub-oval; ventral and dorsal faces convex; dorsal face not depressed posteriorly; sides of the head with sparse, long, erect pilosity; frons with dense, thick, and longitudinal rugae, interspaces superficially foveolate; inner hypostomal teeth distinct, approximately the same size, closely spaced, dentate, with rounded apex and wide base; outer hypostomal teeth with base slightly wider than inner hypostomal teeth; gaster indistinctly shagreened; body brown to dark brown. Minor workers. Head and mesosoma foveolate; promesonotum low, long, slightly convex, with relatively steep posterior declivity; propodeal spines very small.

Description.

Major workers. Measurements (N = 10): HL: 1.01-1.07 (1.04); HW: 0.94-1.02 (0.99); SL: 0.43-0.51 (0.48); EL: 0.14-0.15 (0.14); WL: 0.75-0.81 (0.78); PSL: 0.14-0.16 (0.15); MTL: 0.44-0.49 (0.47); PNW: 0.41-0.51 (0.45); PTW: 0.1-0.13 (0.12); PPW: 0.33-0.39 (0.36); CI: 92.8-98.1 (95.1); SI: 46.0-51.0 (48.4); PSLI: 13.0-15.5 (14.2); PPI: 29.0-34.3 (32.3); PNI: 43.5-50.1 (45.9); MTI: 44.9-49.3 (47.1). Head. In full-face view square, anterior and posterior sides of eyes slightly convex (Fig. 60B ). In lateral view sub-oval; ventral and dorsal faces convex; dorsal face not depressed posteriorly; inner hypostomal teeth visible. Sides of the head with sparse, long, erect pilosity; whole head with dense, short, suberect to erect pilosity. Antennal scrobes very indistinct and not delimited by carinulae; scrobe surface shiny, finely foveolate with sparse, thick, longitudinal to irregular rugulae in posterior part. Occipital lobes shiny, with fine foveolae and indistinct, sparse, irregular rugae, sculpture weakening posteriorly; frons and malar area with dense, thick, and longitudinal rugae, interspaces superficially foveolate; genae shiny, with fine to indistinct foveolae. Centre of clypeus smooth and shiny, lateral sides with longitudinal rugae; median notch present, narrow, and shallow; median longitudinal carina present; lateral longitudinal carinae present. Scape, when laid back, slightly exceeding the midlength of head; pilosity suberect to erect (Fig. 60B, D ). Inner and outer hypostomal teeth distinct, approximately the same size, closely spaced, dentate, with rounded apex and wide base; outer hypostomal teeth with base slightly wider than inner hypostomal teeth (Fig. 84H ). Mesosoma. In lateral view, promesonotum moderately short, relatively low, and convex, posterior mesonotum steep, with small tubercle-like projections; promesonotal groove absent; metanotal groove absent; propodeal spines moderately long, triangular, with rounded apex; humeral area laterally well produced (Fig. 60D ). Surface shiny, with fine but distinct foveolae, additional sparse, fine, transverse to irregular rugae on promesonotal dorsum and sometimes propodeum, sculpture slightly weakening on dorsal surface. Pilosity moderately sparse, very long, and erect (Fig. 60D, F ). Petiole. Shiny and with fine foveolae; peduncle short, with short horizontal lobes on its basal part; node relatively high, triangular, with rounded apex, in rear view node straight or dorsoventrally slightly concave; pilosity moderately sparse and erect (Fig. 60D, F ). Postpetiole. Shiny, with fine and sparse foveolae, smooth on dorsum; in dorsal view sides with moderately short, acute, and triangular projections; pilosity moderately long, dense, and erect (Fig. 60D, F ). Petiole. Shiny and indistinctly shagreened; pilosity moderately dense, short, and erect (Fig. 60D, F ). Colour. Unicolourous, brown to dark brown; legs yellow (Fig. 60D, F ).

Minor workers. Measurements (N = 10): HL: 0.43-0.49 (0.47); HW: 0.39-0.44 (0.42); SL: 0.4-0.45 (0.42); EL: 0.09-0.11 (0.1); WL: 0.5-0.58 (0.54); PSL: 0.07-0.1 (0.09); MTL: 0.29-0.35 (0.32); PNW: 0.25-0.29 (0.27); PTW: 0.06-0.08 (0.07); PPW: 0.11-0.14 (0.12); CI: 85.9-92.1 (89.8); SI: 96.5-105.9 (100.3); PSLI: 15.2-20.1 (18.1); PPI: 51.3-62.2 (56.9); PNI: 62.4-67.6 (64.3); MTI: 73.3-79.5 (77.1). Head. Occipital margin straight or indistinctly concave; occipital carina absent (Fig. 60A ). Pilosity moderately sparse, long, suberect to erect. Head foveolate. Clypeus with fine and sometimes reduced foveolae; 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 suberect to erect (Fig. 60A, C ). Mesosoma. In lateral view, promesonotum low, long, slightly convex, with relatively steep posterior declivity; promesonotal groove absent; metanotal groove indistinct; propodeal spines very small, triangular, apex acute (Fig. 60C ). Sculpture foveolate. Pilosity sparse, moderately long, and erect (Fig. 60C, E ). Petiole. Shiny and with fine foveolae; peduncle short and thin with ventral face slightly convex; node moderately high, triangular, and small; with few short, erect setae (Fig. 60C, E ). Postpetiole. Moderately long, low, and slightly convex; with few short, erect setae (Fig. 60C, E ). Petiole. With sparse, erect pilosity (Fig. 60C, E ). Colour. Unicolourous, yellow (Fig. 60C, E ).

Etymology.

From the type locality.

Biology.

The species was collected between 30-600 m in elevation, in rainforest, tropical dry forest, and disturbed dry forest. Nests were located in rotten logs, branches on ground, and soil.

Comments.

Pheidole bemarivoensis sp. nov. is most similar to P. bemarahaensis sp. nov. Major workers. Pheidole bemarivoensis sp. nov. differs from P. bemarahaensis sp. nov. in foveolae covering the whole surface of frons, and weaker sculpture on genae and dorsal surface of promesonotum. Minor workers. P. bemarivoensis sp. nov. differs from P. bemarivoensis sp. nov. in minute and short propodeal spines.

Figures

Figure 60. Pheidole bemarivoensis sp. nov., full-face view (A), profile (C), and dorsal view (E) of paratype minor worker (CASENT 0923160) and full-face view (B), profile (D), and dorsal view (F) of holotype major worker (CASENT 0489439).

Figure 84. Hypostomal teeth. Pheidole aelloea sp. nov. (A). P. ala sp. nov. (B). P. andapa sp. nov. (C). P. ankerana sp. nov. (D). P. annemariae Forel (E). P. avaratra sp. nov. (F). P. bemarahaensis sp. nov. (G). P. bemarivoensis sp. nov. (H). P. binara sp. nov. (I). P. boribora sp. nov. (J). P. brevipilosa sp. nov. (K). P. curvistriata sp. nov. (L). P. diakritos sp. nov. (M). P. ehazoara sp. nov. (N). P. ensifera Forel (O). P. ferruginea sp. nov. (P). P. fisaka sp. nov. (R). P. fitarata sp. nov. (S). P. glabra sp. nov. (T). P. goavana sp. nov. (U). P. lamperos sp. nov. (W). P. longipilosa sp. nov. (X). P. longispinosa Forel (Y). P. lutea sp. nov. (Z).

Figure 86. Distribution. Pheidole aelloea sp. nov. (A). P. ala sp. nov. (B). P. andapa sp. nov. (C). P. ankerana sp. nov. (D). P. annemariae Forel (E). P. avaratra sp. nov. (F). P. bemarahaensis sp. nov. (G). P. bemarivoensis sp. nov. (H). P. binara sp. nov. (I). P. boribora sp. nov. (J). P. brevipilosa sp. nov. (K). P. curvistriata sp. nov. (L). P. diakritos sp. nov. (M). P. ehazoara sp. nov. (N). P. ensifera Forel (O). P. ferruginea sp. nov. (P). P. fisaka sp. nov. (R). P. fitarata sp. nov. (S). P. glabra sp. nov. (T). P. goavana sp. nov. (U).