Pheidole maizina, Salata & Fisher, 2020
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publication ID |
https://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.905.39592 |
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publication LSID |
lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F4C766E4-633A-4103-9FFD-E952718F41FB |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/0E6A56CB-6415-4402-A3C9-80FFD4F86BF7 |
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taxon LSID |
lsid:zoobank.org:act:0E6A56CB-6415-4402-A3C9-80FFD4F86BF7 |
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treatment provided by |
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scientific name |
Pheidole maizina |
| status |
sp. nov. |
Pheidole maizina sp. nov. Figs 27A-F View Figure 27 , 85C View Figure 85 , 87G View Figure 87
Type material.
Holotype. Madagascar. •1 major worker; Toamasina; Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato River; -16.80561, 49.29507; alt. 480 m; 27 Feb 2010; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; BLF25039, CASENT0162231 (CASC). Paratypes. Madagascar. •2w., 1q.; same data as for holotype; CASENT0162230, CASENT0923223, CASENT0872222 (CASC).
Other material.
Madagascar. - Antsiranana: •3w., 1s.; 6.5 km SSW Befingotra, Rés. Anjanaharibe-Sud; -14.75, 49.5; alt. 875 m; 19 Oct 1994; B.L. Fisher leg.; CASENT0198389, CASENT0198390 (CASC). •7w., 4s., 1q.; 9.2 km WSW Befingotra, Rés. Anjanaharibe-Sud; -14.75, 49.46667; alt. 1200 m; 8 Nov 1994; B.L. Fisher leg.; CASENT0198391, CASENT0198393, CASENT0198394, CASENT0235113, CASENT0235114 (CASC). - Fianarantsoa: •1w.; Parc National de Ranomafana, Vatoharanana River, 4.1 km 231°SW Ranomafana; -21.29, 47.43333; alt. 1100 m; 27 Mar 2003; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0497619 (CASC). - Mahajanga: •3w., 2s.; Réserve Spéciale Marotandrano, Marotandrano 48.3 km S Mandritsara; -16.28322, 48.81443; alt. 865 m; 7 Dec 2007; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0134242, CASENT0134279, CASENT0235121 (CASC). - Toamasina: •1w.; Ambanizana, Parc National Masoala; -15.57222, 50.00694; alt. 930-1110 m; 2 Mar 2003; Andriamalala et al. leg.; CASENT0073482 (CASC). •1w.; F.C. Andriantantely; -18.695, 48.81333; alt. 530 m; 4 Dec 1998; Ratsirarson leg.; CASENT0198237 (CASC). •19w., 1s.; Montagne d’Akirindro 7.6 km 341°NNW Ambinanitelo; -15.28833, 49.54833; alt. 600 m; 17 Mar 2003; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0039054, CASENT0039064, CASENT0039103, CASENT0039188, CASENT0039200, CASENT0039209, CASENT0039219, CASENT0235138, CASENT0496323, CASENT0496345, CASENT0496346, CASENT0496347 (CASC). •15w., 4s.; Montagne d’Anjanaharibe, 18.0 km 21°NNE Ambinanitelo; -15.18833, 49.615; alt. 470 m; 8 Mar 2003; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0037623, CASENT0037626, CASENT0048951, CASENT0495382, CASENT0495383, CASENT0495384, CASENT0495480, CASENT0495481, CASENT0495482 (CASC). •1w.; Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato River; -16.7633, 49.26692; alt. 520 m; 22 Feb 2010; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0160480 (CASC). •2w.; Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato River; -16.7702, 49.26638; alt. 470 m; 23 Feb 2010; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0161455 (CASC). •1w.; Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato River; -16.8162, 49.29202; alt. 425 m; 25 Feb 2010; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0161854 (CASC). •2w.; Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato River; -16.81745, 49.2925; alt. 400 m; 26 Feb 2010; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0162160 (CASC). •4w., 2s., 1q.; Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato River; -16.77274, 49.26551; alt. 450 m; 20 Feb 2010; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0162675, CASENT0162686, CASENT0162688, CASENT0162689 (CASC). •4w., 4s., 3q.; Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato River; -16.80561, 49.29507; alt. 480 m; 27 Feb 2010; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0163009, CASENT0163019, CASENT0163021, CASENT0163027, CASENT0163032, CASENT0163040, CASENT0163073 (CASC). •2w.; Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato River; -16.7633, 49.26692; alt. 520 m; 22 Feb 2010; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0163856, CASENT0163945 (CASC).
Diagnosis.
Major workers. Large species: HL: 2.38-2.71 (2.55), HW: 2.17-2.54 (2.4), WL: 1.6-1.95 (1.76); propodeal spines very long (PSL: 0.48-0.59 (0.54)); head in full-face view trapezoid, widened posteriorly; sides of the head with sparse, relatively long, erect pilosity; frons with longitudinal, sparse, and directed outward rugae, interspaces with dense and fine rugulae, sculpture weakening posteriorly; first gastral tergite shagreened, at least on its basal part; body dark brown to black; inner hypostomal teeth distinct, triangular and thick, with rounded apex, closely spaced; outer hypostomal teeth distinct, low, lobe-like, with wide base and tops directed outward, smaller and thinner than inner hypostomal teeth. Minor workers. Large species: HL: 0.85-1.03 (0.93), HW: 0.8-1.0 (0.89), WL: 1.21-1.47 (1.36); propodeal spines very long (PSL: 0.34-0.44 (0.39)); scape, when laid back, surpassing posterior head margin by one-third of its length; head sculpture rugoreticulate; mesosoma with dense rugoreticulation, sometimes dorsum with weaker sculpture, but never smooth.
Description.
Major workers. Measurements (N = 10): HL: 2.38-2.71 (2.55); HW: 2.17-2.54 (2.4); SL: 0.95-1.17 (1.08); EL: 0.24-0.3 (0.27); WL: 1.6-1.95 (1.76); PSL: 0.48-0.59 (0.54); MTL: 1.16-1.28 (1.23); PNW: 0.8-0.95 (0.9); PTW: 0.24-0.31 (0.28); PPW: 0.7-0.92 (0.83); CI: 91.3-98.5 (94.0); SI: 43.6-46.3 (45.2); PSLI: 19.8-22.6 (21.2); PPI: 31.0-36.0 (34.1); PNI: 35.5-38.8 (37.4); MTI: 49.5-53.8 (51.2). Head. In full-face view trapezoid, widened posteriorly (Fig. 27B View Figure 27 ). In lateral view sub-oval; ventral and dorsal faces convex; inner hypostomal teeth visible. Sides of the head with sparse, relatively long, erect pilosity; whole head with moderately sparse, long, erect setae. Antennal scrobes absent. Occipital lobes shiny, and smooth at posterior part, anterior part with fine and dense rugulae; genae shiny, with fine and dense rugulae, sometimes posterior part smooth or with reduced sculpture; malar area and frons with longitudinal, sparse, and directed outward rugae, interspaces with dense and fine rugulae; lateral sides of head shiny, with dense and fine rugulae and thin, indistinct, longitudinal rugae. Centre of clypeus smooth and shiny, lateral sides with longitudinal rugae; median notch present, shallow, and wide; median longitudinal carina absent; lateral longitudinal carinae absent. Scape, when laid back, reaching mid-length of head; pilosity suberect to erect (Fig. 27B, D View Figure 27 ). Inner hypostomal teeth distinct, triangular, and thick, with rounded apex, closely spaced; outer hypostomal teeth distinct, low, lobe-like, with wide base and tops directed outward, smaller and thinner than inner hypostomal teeth (Fig. 85C View Figure 85 ). Mesosoma. In lateral view, promesonotum short, low, and evenly convex, with relatively steep posterior declivity; promesonotal groove absent; metanotal groove absent; propodeal spines very long, massive basally, with acute apex; humeral area laterally weakly produced (Fig. 27D View Figure 27 ). Surface shiny, with dense rugoreticulation, mesosomal dorsum and propodeum with weaker sculpture, but never smooth. Pilosity relatively dense, long, and erect (Fig. 27D, F View Figure 27 ). Petiole. Shagreened; peduncle relatively long and thin; node triangular with rounded apex, in rear view node dorsoventrally slightly depressed; pilosity moderately sparse and erect (Fig. 27D, F View Figure 27 ). Postpetiole. Shagreened; in dorsal view sides with acute, and short to moderately short angular projections; pilosity long, moderately sparse, and erect (Fig. 27D, F View Figure 27 ). Petiole. First gastral tergite shagreened, at least on its basal part; pilosity sparse, long and erect (Fig. 27D, F View Figure 27 ). Colour. Unicolourous, dark brown to black (Fig. 27D, F View Figure 27 ).
Minor workers. Measurements (N = 10): HL: 0.85-1.03 (0.93); HW: 0.8-1.0 (0.89); SL: 1.07-1.2 (1.16); EL: 0.16-0.21 (0.18); WL: 1.21-1.47 (1.36); PSL: 0.34-0.44 (0.39); MTL: 0.91-1.1 (1.01); PNW: 0.55-0.66 (0.61); PTW: 0.1-0.16 (0.13); PPW: 0.19-0.28 (0.23); CI: 93.3-101.0 (95.5); SI: 122.0-135.6 (130.7); PSLI: 40.0-44.9 (42.3); PPI: 50.5-60.2 (55.3); PNI: 66.3-70.4 (68.7); MTI: 111.2-117.0 (114.1). Head. Occipital margin convex; occipital carina narrow, weakly developed (Fig. 27A View Figure 27 ). Pilosity sparse, long, and erect. Sculpture variable, finely to strongly rugoreticulate on the whole surface; only centre of frons sometimes with sculpture reduced or smooth; antennal sockets with sparse carinae curved outward. Clypeus with median longitudinal carina absent; two lateral longitudinal carinae present. Scape, when laid back, surpassing posterior head margin by one-third of its length; pilosity suberect to erect (Fig. 27A, C View Figure 27 ). Mesosoma. In lateral view, promesonotum low, long, and slightly convex; promesonotal groove absent; metanotal groove very indistinct; propodeal spines very long, massive basally, with acute apex (Fig. 27C View Figure 27 ). Surface shiny, with dense rugoreticulation, sometimes dorsum with weaker sculpture, but never smooth. Pilosity sparse, long, and erect (Fig. 27C, E View Figure 27 ). Petiole. Finely shagreened; peduncle long and thin; node triangular with rounded apex; with few long, erect setae (Fig. 27C, E View Figure 27 ). Postpetiole. Moderately shagreened; moderately short, low, and convex; with few long, erect setae at the anterior edge (Fig. 27C, E View Figure 27 ). Petiole. With few long, erect setae (Fig. 27C, E View Figure 27 ). Colour. Unicolourous, dark brown to black (Fig. 27C, E View Figure 27 ).
Etymology.
Malagasy for dark, in reference to dark body colouration.
Biology.
The species was collected at between 400-1200 m in elevation, in rainforest, montane rainforest, and transitional humid forest. Nests were located in in rotten logs and stumps, and in rotten sticks on the ground.
Comments.
This species is most similar to P. scabrata . Major workers. Pheidole maizina sp. nov. can be distinguished from P. scabrata by having distinct rugulae on at least half of the genae, tips of outer hypostomal teeth directed outward, never smooth katepisternum, densely shagreened surface of first gastral tergite, and darker body colouration. Minor workers. Pheidole maizina sp. nov. can be distinguished from P. scabrata by rugoreticulate head sculpture with never smooth genae.
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