Pheidole oswaldi Forel, 1891: 173
The ant genus Pheidole Westwood, 1839 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Madagascar-taxonomic revision of the bessonii species-group
Salata, Sebastian
Fisher, Brian L.
Zootaxa
2020
2020-08-31
4843
1
1
64
4FYHF
Forel, 1891
Forel
1891
[151,503,1086,1113]
Insecta
Formicidae
Pheidole
Animalia
Hymenoptera
43
44
Arthropoda
species
oswaldi
Figs 20A–F, 27L, 28L
Pheidole oswaldi Forel, 1891: 173(s.w.q.m.). LECTOTYPE[designated here]: 1s., Madagascar, Toamasina, 30 milesSW Toamasina, 28.IX.1889, coll. Oswald, CASENT0101640,ANTC3354 ( MHNG). PARALECTOTYPES: 3w., the same data as lectotype, CASENT0101724, ANTC3355 ( MHNG); 1q., Imerina, coll. Sikora, CASENT0101808, ANTC3353 ( MHNG); 1m ., Imerina, coll. Sikora, CASENT0101706, ANTC3356 ( MHNG).
Other material. Madagascar. Fianarantsoa: 3w., 1s., Parc National de Ranomafana, Vatoharanana River, 4.1 km231° SW Ranomafana, -21.29 47.43333, 1100 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC). Toamasina: 2w., 1s., 5.3 kmSSE Ambanizana, Andranobe, -15.67133 49.97395, 425 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 8w., 3q., Ankerana, -18.4061 48.82029, 725 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 1w., 1s., Ankerana, -18.40062 48.81311, 865 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 8w., Ankerana, -18.40636 48.80254, 1108 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 6w., 2s., 1m ., Ankerana, -18.4061 48.82029, 725 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 1w., 1s., Ankerana, -18.40672 48.82281, 681 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 2w., 1s., 1m ., Ankerana, -18.40636 48.80254, 1108 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 1w., F.C. Andriantantely, -18.695 48.81333, 530 m, H. J. Ratsirarsonleg. ( CASC); 6w., F.C. Sandranantitra, -18.04833 49.09167, 450 m, H. J. Ratsirarsonleg. ( CASC); 2w., Montagne d’Akirindro 7.6 km341° NNW Ambinanitelo, -15.28833 49.54833, 600 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 26w., 12s., Montagne d’Anjanaharibe, 18.0 km 21° NNE Ambinanitelo, -15.18833 49.615, 470 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 5s., Montagne d’Anjanaharibe, 19.5 km27° NNE Ambinanitelo, -15.17833 49.635, 1100 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 1s., Nosy Mangabe, 7.43 kmS Maroantsetra, -15.4973 49.76223, 3 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 1w., 1s., Parc National de Zahamena, -17.73359 48.72625, 950 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 2w., 1s., Parc National de Zahamena, Tetezambatana forest, near junction of Nosivolaand Manakambahiny Rivers, -17.74298 48.72936, 860 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 1w., 1s., Parc National Mananara-Nord, 7.1 km261° Antanambe, -16.455 49.7875, 225 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 2w., 2s., Res. Ambodiriana, 4.8 km306° Manompana, along Manompana river, -16.67233 49.70117, 125 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 2w., 2s., Reserve Betampona, Camp Rendrirendry 34.1 km332° Toamasina, -17.924 49.19967, 390 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 2w., 2s., Reserve Betampona, Camp Vohitsivalana, 37.1 km338° Toamasina, -17.88667 49.2025, 520 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 2w., 1s., 1m ., Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato river, -16.81753 49.29498, 360 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 2w., 1m., Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato river, -16.76912 49.26704, 475 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 1w., 1s., Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato river, -16.77468 49.26551, 355 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 1w., 1s., 1q., Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato river, -16.7633 49.26692, 520 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 1w., 1s., Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato river, -16.7702 49.26638, 470 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 1w., 1s., Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato river, -16.7755 49.26427, 430 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 2w., 2s., Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato river, -16.81739 49.29402, 360 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 4w., 3s., 1q., Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato river, -16.81745 49.2925, 400 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 3w., 1m., Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato river, -16.80561 49.29507, 480 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC). Geographic range. Madagascar, widely distributed in the central and eastern parts of the island.
Diagnosis. Major workers.Head in full-face view sub-rectangular, not widening posteriorly, with lateral margins relatively straight; side of head with dense, long, suberect to erect pilosity; medial frons with moderately dense and thick costulae; interspaces between costulae distinctly punctate; frons laterally with thick and sparse rugae; interspaces between rugae distinctly punctate; occipital lobes punctate, sometimes with additional sparse and weakly developed rugae; scape, when laid back, exceeding the midlength of head by one-fifth of its length; inner hypostomal tooth distinct, small, and bulge-like, with top arching posteroventrally; outer hypostomal tooth lobe-like, moderately high, and wide, with top directed posteriorly; median tooth absent; promesonotum moderately long, angular, and very low; posterior mesonotum smoothly declining towards propodeum; mesonotal process weakly developed and tubercle-like; mesosoma punctate; lateral sides of pronotum, propodeum, and katepisternum with additional thin rugae; gaster indistinctly shagreened; body yellowish brown to brown. Minor workers.Occiput slightly elongated; nuchal collar indistinct; head sculpture punctate, gena mostly or entirely smooth; scape, when laid back, exceeding the posterior head margin by two-fifths of its length; promesonotum low, long, and arched; promesonotal groove present; metanotal groove distinct; propodeal spines small and thin; mesosoma punctate; body yellowish brown.
Description. Major workers.Measurements (n=10): HL: 1.56–1.73 (1.62); HW: 1.49–1.66 (1.55); SL: 1.04– 1.18 (1.11); EL: 0.16–0.21 (0.19); WL: 1.54–1.68 (1.6); PSL: 0.19–0.27 (0.24); MTL: 1.14–1.38 (1.24); PNW: 0.52–0.65 (0.59); PTW: 0.15–0.18 (0.16); PPW: 0.36–0.45 (0.4); CI: 101.9–106.7 (104.4); SI: 69.3–75.6 (71.4); PSLI: 11.9–15.9 (15.1); PPI: 36.6–45.6 (40.9); PNI: 34.8–41.1 (38.0); MTI: 74.5–87.9 (79.8). Head.In full-face view sub-rectangular, not widening posteriorly, with lateral sides relatively straight ( Fig. 20B). In lateral view sub-oval, not depressed posteriorly; ventral and dorsal margins convex; inner hypostomal tooth visible. Side of head with dense, long, suberect to erect pilosity; head dorsum with relatively dense, long, suberect to erect pilosity. Medial frons with moderately dense and thick costulae; interspaces between costulae distinctly punctate. Frons laterally with thick and sparse rugae; interspaces between rugae distinctly punctate. Occipital lobes punctate, with sparse and sometimes weakly developed rugae. Gena with dense and moderately thick costulae; interspaces between costulae punctate. Sides posterolateral from eyes punctate and sometimes with additional network of thin and sparse rugulae. Center of clypeus shiny with weakly developed puncta, lateral sides with distinct rugulae; median notch present, moderately wide, and shallow; median longitudinal carina present; lateral longitudinal carinae present. Scape, when laid back, exceeding the midlength of head by one-fifth of its length; pilosity subdecumbent to erect ( Fig. 20B, D). Inner hypostomal tooth distinct, small, and bulge-like, with top arching posteroventrally; outer hypostomal tooth lobe-like, moderately high, and wide, with top directed posteriorly; median tooth absent ( Fig. 27L). Mesosoma.In lateral view, promesonotum moderately long, angular, and very low; posterior mesonotum smoothly declining towards propodeum; mesonotal process weakly developed and tuberclelike; promesonotal groove absent; metanotal groove indistinct; propodeal spines moderately long with narrow base, and acute top; humeral tubercle weakly produced ( Fig. 20D). Surface punctate; lateral sides of pronotum, propodeum, and katepisternum with additional thin rugae. Pilosity dense, long, and erect ( Fig. 20D, F). Gaster.Shiny and indistinctly shagreened; pilosity moderately sparse, long, and erect ( Fig. 20D, F). Color.Yellowish brown to brown, antennae and legs usually brighter ( Fig. 20D, F). Description. Minor workers.Measurements (n=10): HL: 0.73–0.82 (0.78); HW: 0.49–0.57 (0.53); SL: 1.03– 1.17 (1.12); EL: 0.13–0.15 (0.14); WL: 1.02–1.14 (1.07); PSL: 0.11–0.14 (0.13); MTL: 0.9–1.07 (0.99); PNW: 0.37–0.42 (0.39); PTW: 0.07–0.11 (0.08); PPW: 0.14–0.2 (0.17); CI: 141.8–149.8 (147.0); SI: 200.6–216.2 (209.8); PSLI: 14.9–17.9 (16.2); PPI: 44.7–54.0 (50.4); PNI: 68.8–75.7 (72.6); MTI: 164.2–198.3 (185.6). FIGURE 20. Pheidole oswaldi, full-face view (A), profile (C), and dorsal view (E) of minor worker (CASENT0275335) and full-face view (B), profile (D), and dorsal view (F) of major worker (CASENT0923266). Head.In full-face view oval, posterior region slightly elongated; nuchal collar weakly developed ( Fig. 20A). Pilosity relatively sparse, moderately long, subdecumbent to erect. Sculpture punctate, gena mostly or entirely smooth. Clypeus with median longitudinal carina absent; two lateral longitudinal carinae absent. Scape, when laid back, exceeding the posterior head margin by two-fifths of its length; pilosity dense, subdecumbent to erect ( Fig. 20A, C). Mesosoma.In lateral view, promesonotum low, long, and arched; promesonotal groove present; metanotal groove distinct; propodeal spines small, thin, and triangular ( Fig. 20C). Sculpture punctate. Pilosity sparse, long, and erect ( Fig. 20C, E). Gaster.With sparse and erect pilosity ( Fig. 20C, E). Color.Yellowish brown ( Fig. 20C, E).
Biology.The species was collected between 3–1490 melevation, in rainforest, montane forest, littoral rainforest, montane rainforest, and montane shrubland. Nests were located in rotten logs, rotting tree stumps, and rotten sticks on the ground. Workers were collected from sifted litter, on low vegetation, and on tree trunks.
Comments. Pheidole oswaldiis most similar to sympatric P. decollata. Its major workers can be separated by moderately long, angular, and very low promesonotum and small inner hypostomal tooth. In contrast, majors of P. decollatahave short, angular, and moderately low promesonotum and moderately large inner hypostomal tooth. Minors of P. oswaldidiffer in slightly elongated posterior region of head and moderately long, angular, and very low promesonotum. Minor workers of P. decollatahave posterior region of the head not elongated and the promesonotum is moderately long, moderately low, and angular.
3027954430
1889-09-28
MHNG
Oswald
Madagascar
Toamasina
43
44
1
Toamasina
lectotype
3027954778
1889-09-28
MHNG
Oswald
Madagascar
Toamasina
43
44
3
Toamasina
paralectotype
3027954320
[418,1260,1333,1360]
MHNG
Imerina & Sikora
Madagascar
1
43
44
1
Toamasina
paralectotype
3027954749
MHNG
Imerina & Sikora
Madagascar
43
44
1
Toamasina
paralectotype
3027954549
CASC
Madagascar
Parc National de Ranomafana
1100
Fisher
Vatoharanana River
43
44
3
Fianarantsoa
3027954458
CASC
Madagascar
425
-15.67133
Fisher
1
49.97395
43
44
2
Toamasina
3027954453
CASC
Madagascar
725
-18.4061
Fisher
5
48.82029
Ankerana
43
44
11
3027954736
CASC
Madagascar
865
-18.40062
Fisher
1
48.81311
Ankerana
43
44
1
3027954537
[257,1049,1549,1576]
CASC
Madagascar
1108
-18.40636
Fisher
1
48.80254
Ankerana
43
44
8
3027954634
[1199,1203,1549,1575]
CASC
Fisher
Madagascar
725
-18.4061
Ankerana
5
48.82029
43
44
1
3027954661
CASC
Madagascar
681
-18.40672
Fisher
1
48.82281
Ankerana
43
44
1
3027954416
[395,399,1621,1647]
CASC
Fisher
Madagascar
1108
-18.40636
Ankerana
1
48.80254
43
44
1
3027954662
CASC
H. J. Ratsirarson
Madagascar
530
-18.695
Andriantantely
55
48.81333
43
44
1
3027954445
CASC
H. J. Ratsirarson
Madagascar
450
-18.04833
Sandranantitra
1
49.09167
43
44
6
3027954783
CASC
Madagascar
600
-15.28833
Fisher
1
49.54833
Montagne d'Akirindro
43
44
2
3027954376
CASC
Madagascar
Montagne d'Anjanaharibe
-15.18833
Fisher
53
49.615
Ambinanitelo
43
44
26
3027954495
CASC
Fisher
Madagascar
1100
-15.17833
Montagne d'Anjanaharibe
53
49.635
43
44
1
3027954399
CASC
Fisher
Madagascar
3
-15.4973
Nosy Mangabe
5
49.76223
43
44
1
3027954412
CASC
Madagascar
950
-17.73359
Fisher
1
48.72625
Parc National de Zahamena
43
44
1
3027954330
CASC
Madagascar
Parc National de Zahamena
860
-17.74298
Manakambahiny Rivers
1
48.72936
Nosivola
43
44
2
3027954566
CASC
Madagascar
Parc National Mananara-Nord
225
-16.455
Fisher
55
49.7875
Antanambe
43
44
1
3027954366
CASC
Madagascar
Res. Ambodiriana
125
-16.67233
Manompana river
1
49.70117
Manompana
43
44
2
3027954636
Madagascar
Camp Rendrirendry
Reserve Betampona
43
44
2
3027954556
[674,1380,2017,2043]
CASC
Fisher
Madagascar
390
-17.924
Toamasina
55
49.19967
43
44
1
Toamasina
3027954586
Madagascar
44
45
Camp Vohitsivalana
Reserve Betampona
43
44
2
3027954476
CASC
Fisher
Madagascar
520
-17.88667
Toamasina
5
49.2025
44
45
1
Toamasina
3027954447
[441,445,187,213]
CASC
Fisher
Madagascar
360
-16.81753
Sandrangato river
1
49.29498
Reserve Speciale Ambatovaky
44
45
1
3027954740
CASC
Madagascar
Reserve Speciale Ambatovaky
1
-16.76912
Fisher
1
49.26704
Sandrangato river
44
45
3
3027954356
CASC
Madagascar
Reserve Speciale Ambatovaky
355
-16.77468
Fisher
1
49.26551
Sandrangato river
44
45
1
3027954361
CASC
Madagascar
Reserve Speciale Ambatovaky
520
-16.7633
Fisher
5
49.26692
Sandrangato river
44
45
2
3027954540
CASC
Madagascar
Reserve Speciale Ambatovaky
470
-16.7702
Fisher
5
49.26638
Sandrangato river
44
45
1
3027954459
CASC
Madagascar
Reserve Speciale Ambatovaky
430
-16.7755
Fisher
5
49.26427
Sandrangato river
44
45
1
3027954577
CASC
Madagascar
Reserve Speciale Ambatovaky
360
-16.81739
Fisher
1
49.29402
Sandrangato river
44
45
2
3027954721
CASC
Madagascar
Reserve Speciale Ambatovaky
400
-16.81745
Fisher
5
49.2925
Sandrangato river
44
45
5
3027954403
CASC
Madagascar
Reserve Speciale Ambatovaky
1
-16.80561
Fisher
1
49.29507
Sandrangato river
44
45
4