Pheidole aelloea, 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 aelloea sp. nov. Figs 31A-F , 84A , 86A

Type material.

Holotype. Madagascar. •1 major worker; Antsiranana; Makirovana Forest; -14.17066, 49.95409; alt. 415 m; 29 Apr 2011; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; BLF26671, CASENT0236213 (CASC). Paratypes. Madagascar. •2w., 1q.; same data as for holotype; CASENT0923221, CASENT0236212, CASENT0872221 (CASC).

Other material.

Madagascar. - Antsiranana: •10w., 11s., 1m., 1q.; Ambondrobe, 41.1 km 175° Vohemar; -13.71533, 50.10167; alt. 10 m; 29 Nov 2004; B.L. Fisher leg.; CASENT0056070, CASENT0056092, CASENT0056307, CASENT0056312, CASENT0056322, CASENT0056517, CASENT0056522, CASENT0056529, CASENT0056534, CASENT0056536, CASENT0056662, CASENT0056663, CASENT0056666, CASENT0056666, CASENT0056679, CASENT0107922, CASENT0110497, CASENT0110498, CASENT0110545, CASENT0235068 (CASC). •1w., 1s.; Binara Forest; -13.26207, 49.60505; alt. 692 m; 18 Oct 2013; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0369418, CASENT0369423 (CASC). •16w., 5s., 1q.; Forêt Ambanitaza, 26.1 km 347° Antalaha; -14.67933, 50.18367; alt. 240 m; 26 Nov 2004; B.L. Fisher leg.; CASENT0054846, CASENT0054850, CASENT0054851, CASENT0054853, CASENT0054893, CASENT0054894, CASENT0054951, CASENT0054955, CASENT0054968, CASENT0054972, CASENT0055042, CASENT0055061, CASENT0055550, CASENT0055558, CASENT0055562, CASENT0055562, CASENT0055592, CASENT0058967, CASENT0058977, CASENT0109535 (CASC). •10w., 9s., 3q.; Forêt d’ Antsahabe, 11.4 km 275°W Daraina; -13.21167, 49.55667; alt. 550 m; 12 Dec 2003; B.L. Fisher leg.; CASENT0042268, CASENT0042329, CASENT0042334, CASENT0042335, CASENT0053689, CASENT0053690, CASENT0053936, CASENT0053937, CASENT0053941, CASENT0053942, CASENT0076806, CASENT0076807 (CASC). •21w., 1s., 2q.; Forêt de Binara, 7.5 km 230°SW Daraina; -13.255, 49.61667; alt. 375 m; 1 Dec 2003; B.L. Fisher leg.; CASENT0041716, CASENT0041724, CASENT0041734, CASENT0041742, CASENT0041795, CASENT0041797, CASENT0041800, CASENT0041805, CASENT0041808, CASENT0041811, CASENT0041815, CASENT0041823, CASENT0041828, CASENT0041885, CASENT0041887, CASENT0041889, CASENT0041897, CASENT0041902, CASENT0041906, CASENT0041907, CASENT0041909, CASENT0041909, CASENT0073337, CASENT0076448 (CASC). •1s.; Forêt de Binara, 9.1 km 233°SW Daraina; -13.26333, 49.60333; alt. 650-800 m; 19 Nov 2004; B.L. Fisher leg.; CASENT0053842 (CASC). •6w., 5s., 2q.; Galoko chain, Mont Galoko; -13.59358, 48.73157; alt. 1100 m; 22 Feb 2013; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0300979, CASENT0300983, CASENT0301038, CASENT0301040, CASENT0301059, CASENT0301069, CASENT0301073 (CASC). •1w., 1s.; Galoko chain, Mont Galoko; -13.58745, 48.71419; alt. 380 m; 23 Feb 2013; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0303019 (CASC). •5w., 3s.; Galoko chain, Mont Galoko; -13.58487, 48.71818; alt. 520 m; 19 Feb 2013; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0302940, CASENT0304461, CASENT0304986, CASENT0304992, CASENT0305000, CASENT0305011 (CASC). •1w., 1s.; Galoko chain, Mont Galoko; -13.5888, 48.72864; alt. 980 m; 20 Feb 2013; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0300190 (CASC). •2w., 1s.; Galoko chain, Mont Galoko; -13.5888, 48.72864; alt. 980 m; 20 Feb 2013; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0304408, CASENT0304755 (CASC). •4w., 3s.; Galoko chain, Mont Kalabenono; -13.64179, 48.67282; alt. 643 m; 10 Oct 2013; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0366980, CASENT0369681, CASENT0369743, CASENT0369780 (CASC). •2w.; Makirovana Forest; -14.104, 50.03574; alt. 225 m; 4 May 2011; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0231485, CASENT0243618 (CASC). •14w., 1s., 2q.; Makirovana Forest; -14.17066, 49.95409; alt. 415 m; 29 Apr 2011; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0231284, CASENT0231285, CASENT0231304, CASENT0231305, CASENT0236148, CASENT0236154, CASENT0243267, CASENT0243271, CASENT0243278, CASENT0243280, CASENT0243284, CASENT0243301, CASENT0243305, CASENT0243325 (CASC). •1w.; Makirovana Forest; -14.16044, 49.95216; alt. 550 m; 1 May 2011; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0230611 (CASC). •2w.; Masoala National Park; -15.3014, 50.22776; alt. 280 m; 7 Mar 2014; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0377714, CASENT0377725 (CASC). •2w.; Masoala National Park; -15.32331, 50.30751; alt. 60 m; 10 Mar 2014; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0376961, CASENT0378012 (CASC). •11w., 18s.; Parc National de Marojejy, Manantenina River, 28.0 km 38°NE Andapa, 8.2 km 333°NNW Manantenina; -14.43667, 49.775; alt. 450 m; 12 Nov 2003; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0045743, CASENT0045810, CASENT0045818, CASENT0045826, CASENT0045846, CASENT0045866, CASENT0045869, CASENT0045895, CASENT0045901, CASENT0045909, CASENT0045979, CASENT0046010, CASENT0046075, CASENT0077158, CASENT0077159, CASENT0077160, CASENT0077161, CASENT0077162, CASENT0077163 (CASC). •1s.; R.S. Manongarivo, 14.5 km 220°SW Antanambao; -13.99833, 48.42833; alt. 1175 m; 20 Oct 1998; B.L. Fisher leg.; CASENT0198835 (CASC). •2w., 1s.; Réserve Spéciale d’Ambre, 3.5 km 235°SW Sakaramy; -12.46889, 49.24217; alt. 325 m; 26 Jan 2001; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0423920, CASENT0423924, CASENT0484626 (CASC). •1w., 1s.; Sava Region: Parc National de Marojejy, Manantenina River, 28.1 km 25.7NE Andapa; -14.43553, 49.76463; alt. 680 m; 11 Feb 2018; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0809603 (CASC). •1w.; Sava Region: Parc National de Marojejy, near Manantenina River; -14.43677, 49.77541; alt. 475 m; 7 Feb 2018; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0825163 (CASC). •3w., 1s., 1m.; Sava Region: Parc National de Marojejy, near Manantenina tributary, 28.3 km 28.5NE Andapa, forest along trail below Camp 1; -14.43934, 49.77689; alt. 450 m; 8 Feb 2018; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0825240, CASENT0825241, CASENT0825254 (CASC). •1w., 1q.; Sava Region: Parc National de Marojejy, near summit, 25.4 km 20.1NE Andapa; -14.44918, 49.73243; alt. 2100 m; 10 Feb 2018; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0809554 (CASC). - Toamasina: •1q.; 6.3 km S Ambanizana, Andranobe; -15.6813, 49.958; alt. 25 m; 14 Nov 1993; B.L. Fisher leg.; CASENT0198118 (CASC).

Diagnosis.

Major workers. Body size moderate: HL: 1.85-2.45 (2.0), HW: 1.56-2.02 (1.64), WL: 1.17-1.35 (1.25); propodeal spines very long (PSL: 0.38-0.48 (0.42)); head in full-face view rectangular, with lateral sides relatively straight, only their posteriormost part slightly convex; sides of the head with sparse, relatively long, erect pilosity; occipital lobes shiny, with sparse and thick rugoreticulation; inner hypostomal teeth distinct, triangular, and moderately thin, with rounded apex, closely spaced; outer hypostomal teeth distinct, approximately as high as inner hypostomal teeth, lobe-like, with base wider than inner hypostomal teeth, inner and outer teeth closely spaced and connected by indistinct concavity. Minor workers. Body size moderate: HL: 0.63-0.78 (0.68), HW: 0.61-0.79 (0.67), WL: 0.83-0.98 (0.9); propodeal spines very long (PSL: 0.3-0.37 (0.32)); scape, when laid back, surpassing posterior head margin by one-fifth of its length; lateral sides of head and malar area finely rugulose, sculpture weakening posteriorly; vertex, genae, and frons smooth; pronotum, dorsal surface of mesonotum, and dorsal and posterior surface of propodeum smooth, sometimes propodeum with indistinct, sparse rugulae; katepisternum, anepisternum, and lateral sides of propodeum with thick and dense rugo-punctae.

Description.

Major workers. Measurements (N = 10): HL: 1.85-2.45 (2.0); HW: 1.56-2.02 (1.64); SL: 0.73-0.89 (0.77); EL: 0.14-0.18 (0.16); WL: 1.17-1.35 (1.25); PSL: 0.38-0.48 (0.42); MTL: 0.67-0.89 (0.75); PNW: 0.7-0.8 (0.73); PTW: 0.2-0.22 (0.2); PPW: 0.59-0.7 (0.66); CI: 79.6-85.9 (83.2); SI: 44.1-49.3 (46.9); PSLI: 19.8-25.0 (21.5); PPI: 28.3-34.5 (31.0); PNI: 39.5-46.8 (44.8); MTI: 41.8-50.6 (45.8). Head. In full-face view rectangular, lateral sides relatively straight, only their posteriormost part slightly convex (Fig. 31B ). In lateral view oval; ventral and dorsal faces finely convex; inner hypostomal teeth visible. Sides of the head with sparse, relatively long, erect pilosity; whole head with sparse, relatively long, erect pilosity. Antennal scrobes indistinct and not delimited by carinulae. Occipital lobes shiny, with sparse and thick rugoreticulation; genae shiny, with fine and sparse rugoreticulation, sometimes posterior part with reduced sculpture; malar area and frons with longitudinal and sparse rugae, on posterior part of frons rugae directed outward and more irregular, interspaces smooth; lateral sides of head shiny, with irregular, moderately dense and thick rugoreticulation. Centre of clypeus smooth and shiny, lateral sides with longitudinal rugae; median notch present, moderately wide, and narrow; median longitudinal carina present; lateral longitudinal carinae absent. Scape, when laid back, reaching mid-length of head; pilosity suberect to erect (Fig. 31B, D ). Inner hypostomal teeth distinct, triangular, and moderately thin, with rounded apex, closely spaced; outer hypostomal teeth distinct, approximately as high as inner hypostomal teeth, lobe-like, with base wider than inner hypostomal teeth, inner and outer teeth closely spaced and connected by indistinct concavity (Fig. 84A ). Mesosoma. In lateral view, promesonotum short, angular, and high, with slightly convex posterior declivity; promesonotal groove absent; metanotal groove absent; propodeal spines very long, narrow, massive basally, with acute apex; humeral area laterally absent to weakly produced (Fig. 31D ). Surface shiny, pronotum, dorsal surface of mesonotum, and dorsal and posterior surface of propodeum with fine, sparse to moderately sparse rugoreticulation, sometimes sculpture on propodeum strongly reduced and absent on its dorsal surface; katepisternum, anepisternum, and lateral sides of propodeum with thick and sparse rugoreticulation. Pilosity moderately sparse, long, and erect (Fig. 31D, F ). Petiole. Shagreened; peduncle relatively long, with triangular apex, and thick horizontal lobes on its basal part; node triangular with rounded apex, in rear view node dorsoventrally slightly depressed; pilosity moderately sparse and erect (Fig. 31D, F ). Postpetiole. Shagreened; in dorsal view sides with acute, moderately long, relatively narrow, and angular projections; pilosity long, moderately sparse, and erect (Fig. 31D, F ). Petiole. First gastral tergite shagreened, at least on its basal part; pilosity moderately sparse, long, and erect (Fig. 31D, F ). Colour. Unicolourous, ocherous to reddish-brown, sometimes head brighter than the rest of the body (Fig. 31D, F ).

Minor workers. Measurements (N = 10): HL: 0.63-0.78 (0.68); HW: 0.61-0.79 (0.67); SL: 0.66-0.8 (0.7); EL: 0.09-0.13 (0.11); WL: 0.83-0.98 (0.9); PSL: 0.3-0.37 (0.32); MTL: 0.52-0.66 (0.57); PNW: 0.39-0.49 (0.42); PTW: 0.09-0.14 (0.1); PPW: 0.15-0.25 (0.19); CI: 95.9-102.7 (98.3); SI: 100.5-119.0 (105.9); PSLI: 43.0-49.5 (46.7); PPI: 48.5-64.9 (54.3); PNI: 60.3-65.6 (63.0); MTI: 83.3-88.1 (85.5). Head. In full-face view square, posterior of eyes slightly convex, anterior of eyes relatively straight, occipital margin straight or indistinctly convex; occipital carina indistinct, weakly developed (Fig. 31A ). Pilosity sparse, long, and erect. Lateral sides of head and malar area finely rugulose, sculpture weakening posteriorly; vertex, genae, and frons smooth; antennal sockets with sparse carinae curved outward. Clypeus with median longitudinal carina present; two lateral longitudinal carinae present. Scape, when laid back, surpassing posterior head margin by one-fifth of its length; pilosity suberect to erect (Fig. 31A, C ). Mesosoma. In lateral view, promesonotum high, short, and convex; promesonotal groove absent; metanotal groove absent; propodeal spines very long, massive basally, with acute apex (Fig. 31C ). Surface shiny, pronotum, dorsal surface of mesonotum, and dorsal and posterior surface of propodeum smooth, sometimes propodeum with indistinct, sparse rugulae; katepisternum, anepisternum, and lateral sides of propodeum with thick and dense rugose punctae. Pilosity sparse, long, and erect (Fig. 31C, E ). Petiole. Vertex of peduncle finely shagreened; peduncle long and moderately thin; node low, bulge-like; with few long, erect setae (Fig. 31C, E ). Postpetiole. Moderately long, low, and slightly convex; with few long, erect setae at the anterior edge (Fig. 31C, E ). Petiole. With few long, erect setae (Fig. 31C, E ). Colour. Unicolourous, brown to dark brown (Fig. 31C, E ).

Etymology.

Named after Aello, a harpy from Greek mythology, in reference to the long, sharp propodeal spines of minor workers reminiscent of claws.

Biology.

The species was collected between 10-2100 m in elevation, in rainforest, tropical dry forest, littoral rainforest, montane rainforest, and montane shrubland. Nests were located in rotten logs, rotten sticks on ground, dead twigs above ground, and soil.

Comments.

This species is most similar to P. ocypodea sp. nov. and P. podargea sp. nov. Major workers. Pheidole aelloea sp. nov. can be distinguished from P. ocypodea sp. nov. by slightly convex posterior declivity of promesonotum and inner and outer hypostomal teeth not pointed inward or outward; it differs from P. podargea sp. nov. by longer and sparser pilosity on sides of head and reduced to absent sculpture on genae and propodeum. Minor workers. Pheidole aelloea sp. nov. can be distinguished from P. ocypodea sp. nov. by finely rugulose and never smooth lateral sides of head and malar area, absence of metanotal groove, long petiolar peduncle, and short postpetiole which is approximately as long as high; it differs from P. podargea sp. nov. in smooth sculpture of vertex, genae, and area between frontal carinae, absence of promesonotal and metanotal groove, and at least partially smooth surface of pronotum, dorsal surface of mesonotum, and dorsal and posterior surface of propodeum.

Figures

Figure 31. Pheidole aelloea sp. nov., full-face view (A), profile (C), and dorsal view (E) of paratype minor worker (CASENT 0923221) and full-face view (B), profile (D), and dorsal view (F) of holotype major worker (CASENT 0236213).

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).