Pheidole klaman, Gómez & Kouakou & Fischer & Hita-Garcia & Katzke & Economo, 2022

Gomez, Kiko, Kouakou, Lombart M., Fischer, Georg, Hita-Garcia, Francisco, Katzke, Julian & Economo, Evan P., 2022, Pheidole klaman sp. nov.: a new addition from Ivory Coast to the Afrotropical pulchella species group (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae), ZooKeys 1104, pp. 129-157 : 129

Pheidole klaman sp. nov.

Material examined.

Major worker: Figs 1A-D , 2A-G , 6A, B , Table 1 .

Minor worker: Figs 3A-D , 4A-G , 5A-G , 7A, B , Table 2 .

Holotype major worker: Ivory Coast: Montagnes District, Site 05 ( Taï N. P.) 200m, 5.8438, -7.3484, 11/11/2019. Hand collected ( Gómez, K. & Kouakou, L.). Primary forest , ex. rotten log [CASENT0764691] HNMUK.

Paratype workers: same series, (1 major worker) [KGCOL00585] KGAC; (1 minor worker) [CASENT0745509] FHGC; (1 minor worker) [CASENT0764692] KGAC, (1 minor worker) [KGCOL00587] AFRC; (1 minor worker) [KGCOL00588] NHMUK; (1 minor worker) [KGCOL00590] YKPC; (3 minor workers, in ethanol) [KG04152] KGAC.

Cybertype : we provide virtual 3D data of the major worker holotype (CASENT0764691) and two minor worker paratypes (CASENT0764692 & CASENT0745509) as cybertype dataset, which contains the following data: volumetric raw data (in DICOM format), 3D rotation videos (in mkv format), 3D surfaces (in PLY format), still images of surface volume rendering, and of stacked digital colour images illustrating head in full-face view, profile and dorsal view of the body. The datasets are deposited on Dryad (doi: 10.5061/dryad.mpg4f4r1k) and can be freely accessed as virtual representations of the types. In addition, we also provide freely accessible 3D surface models at Sketchfab (holotype: https://skfb.ly/o68Qw; paratypes: https://skfb.ly/o68Qq & https://skfb.ly/o68Qo).

Diagnosis.

Pheidole klaman is one of the four known yellow to orange species in the Pheidole pulchella group, and appears closest to P. pulchella . It is easily separable from the other yellow to orange coloured species in the group as follows:

Minor worker: while P. pulchella has appressed scape pilosity, P. klaman possesses long erect setae on the scapes that are as long as or longer than the scape width. Separation from P. heliosa and P. christinae is based on size, with P. klaman clearly smaller (HW: 0.64-0.71) and with relatively longer scapes (SI: 182-189) than the other two species (HW: 0.73-0.83, SI: 143-174).

Major worker: the major of P. christinae is unknown. The absence of setae laterally on the head and the presence of clearly demarcated antennal scrobes separates P. klaman from P. heliosa . Separation from P. pulchella is also unambiguous, P. klaman clearly being smaller (HW: 1.65-1.75 vs 2.0-2.28 for Pheidole pulchella ), with more elongated head (CI: 88-93 vs. 98-104 in P. pulchella ) and longer scapes (SI: 62-63 vs. 50-56). Sculpture is another separation character, with P. klaman being uniformly punctate from mesonotum to propodeum, versus more weakly and irregularly punctate sculpture in P. pulchella . In P. klaman the posterior third of face has faint incomplete longitudinal rugulae at most, reduced to weak, superficially reticulate punctures posteriorly, while in P. pulchella the posterior third of the face is longitudinally rugose and weakly to superficially punctate, changing to obliquely and weakly rugulose towards the posterior head margin.

Description.

With the characteristics described for Pheidole pulchella species group in Fischer et al. (2012) and:

Major worker measurements: Holotype: HL: 1.98; HW: 1.75; MDL: 0.89; EL: 0.22; SL: 1.08; PW: 0.78; PSL: 0.31; PtL: 0.47; PtH: 0.31; PtW: 0.22; PPtL: 0.38; PPtH: 0.41; PPtW: 0.48; WL: 1.56; MFL: 1.51; CI: 88; EI: 12; SI: 62; MDI: 51; PSLI: 18; PWI: 45; FI: 86; Pel: 28; Ppl: 62; PpWI: 224; PpLI: 124

Paratype: HL: 1.78; HW: 1.65; MDL: 0.85; EL: 0.23; SL: 1.03; PW: 0.74; PSL: 0.29; PtL: 0.45; PtH: 0.29; PtW: 0.21; PPtL: 0.36; PPtH: 0.40; PPtW: 0.43; WL: 1.47; MFL: 1.44; CI: 93; EI: 14; SI: 62; MDI: 51; PSLI: 17; PWI: 45; FI: 87; Pel: 28; Ppl: 58; PpWI: 210; PpLI: 126

Head longer than wide (CI: 88-93), frontal carinae and antennal scrobes conspicuous. Scapes relatively long for the group (SI: 61-63). Funicular segments slightly longer than wide, the last three more than twice as long as wide, apical one longer. Pronotum shape in dorsal view rhomboid, with clearly demarcated humeral angles. Promesonotal depression and metanotal groove deep. Primary mesonotal process conspicuous, stepping into a much smaller secondary one. Propodeum dorsally with two rugulae proceeding from the metanotal groove and continuing into the well-developed, long, apically curved spines (PSLI: 17-18). Petiole with very narrow anteroventral laminar process, postpetiole with large, rounded-triangular, anteriorly oriented ventral process, in dorsal view with hexagonal to ellipsoidal shape, and two small translucent flanges extending from medial corners to gaster.

Mandibles glassy smooth. Frons longitudinally rugose, with irregular pattern of moderately long to shorter rugae, spaces between rugae weakly punctate to almost smooth. Rugae grading weaker posteriorly with transverse incomplete anastomoses between them at vertex, fading from this point being gradually replaced by weaker rugulose-punctate sculpture becoming smooth at some patches. Pronotum smooth, rest of mesosoma strongly punctate, with some incomplete rugulae laterally, continuing at the base of the spines and propodeal declivity. Mesopropodeal suture with strongly demarcated longitudinal short cross-ribs. Petiole and postpetiole with the same punctuation as mesosoma, weaker to smooth dorsally. Anterior half of first gastral tergite superficially punctate, posterior half smooth.

Scape pilosity appressed. In full-face view, head without standing setae laterally. Head, promesonotom, petiole, postpetiole, with several setae that are longer than spine length and with additional short appressed pubescence, long setae more abundant on gaster. Colour orange to darker orange, legs paler. Metatibia with short appressed pilosity.

Minor worker measurements (n = 7): HL: 0.77-0.90; HW: 0.64-0.71; MDL: 0.55-0.62; EL: 0.16-0.19; SL: 1.17-1.32; PW: 0.44-0.51; PSL: 0.20-0.23; PtL: 0.24-0.27; PtH: 0.18-0.20; PtW: 0.11-0.14; PPtL: 0.23-0.28; PPtH: 0.22-0.25; PPtW: 0.24-0.27; WL: 1.18-1.36; MFL: 1.34-1.53; CI: 79-83; EI: 26-27; SI: 182-189; MDI: 85-87; PSLI: 30-34; PWI: 68-72; FI: 208-220; Pel: 24-29; Ppl: 50-55; PpWI: 186-209; PpLI: 92-105

Head longer than wide (CI: 79-83), with sides posterior of eye level weakly convex, slightly rounded towards posterior margin. Occipital carina conspicuous, medially and laterally. Mandibles relatively long (MDI: 85-88). Scapes very long (SI: 182-189), the longest in the whole Pheidole pulchella group. All funicular segments significantly (~ 2 ×) longer than wide, apical three segments at least 3 × as long as wide. Mesosoma as described for the group, with moderately long, apically tapering, posteriorly curved spines (PSLI: 30-34). Pronotal humeri slightly peaked in lateral view, first and second mesonotal processes notorious and pronounced, each of these structures weakly marginate, or at least with some feeble rugulae. Metanotal groove broad and deep. Legs very long (FI: 208-220), relative to body size, the longest of all the Pheidole pulchella group.

Head, mandibles, pronotum, coxae, legs, postpetiole, and gaster glassy smooth, except for some isolated strong reticulation between eyes and antennal fossae. Mesonotum and propodeum strongly punctate, both laterally and dorsally. Metanotal groove costate. Petiole from micropunctate dorsally to weakly punctate ventrally.

Long, orange erect to semi-erect setae sparsely distributed everywhere, including pro- and mesonotum, propodeum, petiole, postpetiole, and gaster, some longer than spine length. In full-face view, head laterally with semi-erect setae above and below eyes, some longer than eye diameter. Scapes with very abundant semi-erect setae, as long as scape width. Legs also covered with abundant semi-erect to decumbent pilosity.

Colour yellow to pale orange.

Derivatio nominis.

The species name klaman is a non-Latin noun used in apposition and is the Boualé word for pulchella (beauty).

Other material examined.

Ivory Coast: Montagnes District, Site 02 ( Taï N. P.) 200m, 5.8312, -7.3429 08/11/2019. Winkler sample ( Gómez, K. & Kouakou, L.). Primary Forest in leaf litter (1 worker) [KGCOL00507] KGAC

Ivory Coast: Montagnes District, Site 05 ( Taï N. P.) 200m, 5.8438, -7.3484 11/11/2019. Winkler sample ( Gómez, K. & Kouakou, L.). Primary Forest in leaf litter (1 worker) [KGCOL00443] KGAC

Figures

Figure 1. Holotype of Pheidole klaman, major worker (CASENT 0764691) A head in full-face view B habitus lateral view C mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole lateral view D mesosoma dorsal view.

Figure 2. Holotype of Pheidole klaman, major worker, 3 D model snapshots (CASENT 0764691) A habitus lateral view B habitus dorsal view C head dorsal view D head frontal view E head ventral view F propodeum, petiole and postpetiole lateral view G propodeum, petiole and postpetiole dorsal view.

Figure 3. Paratype of Pheidole klaman, minor worker (KGCOL 00589) A head in full-face view B habitus lateral view C mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole lateral view D mesosoma dorsal view. Scale bars: 0.5 mm (A, C, D); 1 mm (B).

Figure 4. Paratype of Pheidole klaman, minor worker, 3 D model snapshots (KGCOL 00589) A habitus lateral view B habitus dorsal view C head dorsal view D head frontal view E head ventral view F propodeum, petiole and postpetiole lateral view G propodeum, petiole and postpetiole dorsal view.

Figure 5. Paratype of Pheidole klaman, minor worker, 3 D-model snapshots (CASENT 0764692). A habitus lateral view B habitus dorsal view C head dorsal view D head frontal view E head ventral view F propodeum, petiole and postpetiole lateral view G propodeum, petiole and postpetiole dorsal view.

Figure 6. Major workers of the orange species in the P. pulchella group: P. klaman (A, B CASENT 0764691), P. pulchella (C, D CASENT 0218336), P. heliosa (E, F CASENT 0227946). The major worker of P. christinae is unknown. Scale bars: 0.5 mm B, D, F; 1 mm A, C, E.

Figure 7. Minor workers of the orange species in the P. pulchella species group, head and lateral mesosoma: P. klaman (A, B KGCOL 00589), P. pulchella (C, D CASENT 0227963), P. christinae (E, F CASENT 0227940), P. heliosa (G, H CASENT 0227945). Scale bars: 0.5 mm.