Pheidole petax Forel, 1895

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 petax Forel, 1895 stat. nov. Figs 66A-F , 85Q , 88A

Type material.

Pheidole nemoralis petax Forel, 1895b: 488 (s.w.). Lectotype [designated here]: major worker (CASENT0101321): Madagascar, Central Madagascar, coll. Sikora (MHNG) [examined]. Paralectotype: 1 minor worker (the same pin as lectotype, CASENT0101322) (MHNG) [examined]: the same data as lectotype.

Other material.

Madagascar. - Antananarivo: •1w.; Manakambahiny; -18.93217, 47.53617; 20 Jan 2004; Ranaivo leg.; CASENT0008742 (CASC). - Fianarantsoa: •2w., 2s.; 2 km W Andrambovato, along river Tatamaly; -21.51167, 47.41; alt. 1075 m; 3 Jun 2005; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0060954, CASENT0060955 (CASC). •1w., 2s.; 43 km S Ambalavao, Rés. Andringitra; -22.23333, 47; alt. 825 m; 5 Oct 1993; B.L. Fisher leg.; CASENT0198401, CASENT0198900 (CASC). •6w., 9s., 3q.; 45 km S. Ambalavao; -22.21667, 47.01667; alt. 785 m; 25 Sep 1993; B.L. Fisher leg.; CASENT0003649, CASENT0003658, CASENT0198402, CASENT0198404, CASENT0198405, CASENT0198407-CASENT0198410 (CASC). •2w., 3s.; 9.0 km NE Ivohibe; -22.42667, 46.93833; alt. 900 m; 12 Nov 1997; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0198412, CASENT0198893, CASENT0198895 (CASC). •4w., 5s.; Forêt de Vevembe, 66.6 km 293° Farafangana; -22.791, 47.18183; alt. 600 m; 24 Apr 2006; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0070685, CASENT0070700, CASENT0070758, CASENT0070826, CASENT0108007 (CASC). •7w., 8s.; Parc National Befotaka-Midongy, Papango 27.7 km S Midongy-Sud, Mount Papango; -23.83517, 46.96367; alt. 940 m; 15 Nov 2006; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0119130, CASENT0119132, CASENT0119429, CASENT0119430, CASENT0119434, CASENT0119448, CASENT0119658 (CASC). •1w.; Parc National Befotaka-Midongy, Papango 28.5 km S Midongy-Sud, Mount Papango; -23.84083, 46.9575; alt. 1250 m; 17 Nov 2006; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0128568 (CASC). - Mahajanga: •2w., 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.; CASENT0134250, CASENT0136553 (CASC). - Toamasina: •1w.; Ambatovy, 12.4 km NE Moramanga; -18.84773, 48.29568; alt. 1000 m; 5 Mar 2007; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0121407 (CASC). •3w., 1s.; Ambatovy, 12.4 km NE Moramanga; -18.84963, 48.2947; alt. 1010 m; 3 Mar 2007; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0114818, CASENT0124520, CASENT0124563, CASENT0124590 (CASC). •1w.; Ambatovy, 12.4 km NE Moramanga; -18.85813, 48.28488; alt. 1040 m; 5 Mar 2007; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0124202 (CASC). •2w., 3s.; Ambatovy, 12.4 km NE Moramanga; -18.83937, 48.30842; alt. 1080 m; 4 Mar 2007; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0121207, CASENT0121278, CASENT0123810, CASENT0123851, CASENT0123885 (CASC). •7w., 3s.; Analamay; -18.80623, 48.33707; alt. 1068 m; 21 Mar 2004; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0046552, CASENT0048445, CASENT0049051, CASENT0050529 (CASC). •2w.; Ankerana; -18.4061, 48.82029; alt. 725 m; 16 Jan 2012; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0274776 (CASC). •12w.; Ankerana; -18.40062, 48.81311; alt. 865 m; 17 Jan 2012; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0274711, CASENT0274846, CASENT0274847, CASENT0274900, CASENT0274906, CASENT0274911 (CASC). •6w., 4s.; Bevolota 17.1 km N Andasibe; -18.77071, 48.43164; alt. 995 m; 12 Dec 2007; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0135107, CASENT0135159, CASENT0135175, CASENT0135176, CASENT0135178, CASENT0135200 (CASC). •1w., 1s.; Corridor Forestier Analamay-Mantadia, Ambatoharanana; -18.79956, 48.4028; alt. 1058 m; 12 Dec 2012; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0300462 (CASC). •3w., 2s., 1q.; Corridor Forestier Analamay-Mantadia, Ambatoharanana; -18.80398, 48.40358; alt. 1064 m; 12 Dec 2012; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0300405, CASENT0300406, CASENT0302207, CASENT0302209 (CASC). •1w., 2s.; Corridor Forestier Analamay-Mantadia, Ambatoharanana; -18.80424, 48.40081; alt. 968 m; 12 Dec 2012; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0291231, CASENT0301825 (CASC). •4w., 2s., 2q.; Corridor Forestier Analamay-Mantadia, Ambohibolakely; -18.77908, 48.36628; alt. 1014 m; 28 Nov 2012; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0300215-CASENT0300218 (CASC). •4w., 3s., 1q.; Corridor Forestier Analamay-Mantadia, Ambohibolakely; -18.76087, 48.37128; alt. 1044 m; 29 Nov 2012; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0296961, CASENT0300327, CASENT0300328 (CASC). •2w., 2s.; Corridor Forestier Analamay-Mantadia, Ambohibolakely; -18.76131, 48.36437; alt. 983 m; 23 Nov 2012; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0299219, CASENT0302058, CASENT0302061 (CASC). •3w., 2s., 1q.; Corridor Forestier Analamay-Mantadia, Tsaravoniana; -18.76465, 48.41938; alt. 1039 m; 5 Dec 2012; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0299298, CASENT0299299, CASENT0300801 (CASC). •5w., 3s., 2q.; Corridor Forestier Analamay-Mantadia, Tsaravoniana; -18.76124, 48.42134; alt. 939 m; 3 Dec 2012; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0297036, CASENT0297037, CASENT0297045, CASENT0297046, CASENT0297048 (CASC). •1s.; Corridor Forestier Analamay-Mantadia, Tsaravoniana; -18.76369, 48.4203; alt. 984 m; 2 Dec 2012; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0299402 (CASC). •15w., 8s., 1q.; Forêt Ambatovy, 14.3 km 57° Moramanga; -18.85083, 48.32; alt. 1075 m; 21 Mar 2004; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0047075, CASENT0047557, CASENT0048999, CASENT0050389, CASENT0050391, CASENT0053643, CASENT0053644, CASENT0053735, CASENT0058852, CASENT0058895, CASENT0058896, CASENT0058907, CASENT0058908 (CASC). •5w., 7s., 1m.; 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.; CASENT0039193, CASENT0496357, CASENT0496447, CASENT0496449, CASENT0496462, CASENT0496464 (CASC). •1w.; Parc National d´ Andasibe-Mantadia, Forêt de Mantadia, 25.7 km 248°Moramanga; -18.81402, 48.43028; alt. 1040 m; 14 Jul 2006; Raharimalala & Blaimer leg.; CASENT0117457 (CASC). •9w., 3s., 4q.; Parc National de Zahamena, Besaky River; -17.75244, 48.85321; alt. 760 m; 22 Feb 2009; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0149781, CASENT0149784, CASENT0149785, CASENT0152048, CASENT0152049, CASENT0152310, CASENT0152311, CASENT0152344, CASENT0152345, CASENT0152346, CASENT0217995 (CASC). •5w., 4w., 1q.; Parc National de Zahamena, Onibe River; -17.75908, 48.85468; alt. 780 m; 22 Feb 2009; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0152064, CASENT0152117, CASENT0152118, CASENT0152159, CASENT0153317, CASENT0153410 (CASC). •3w., 3s.; Parc National de Zahamena, Sahavorondrano River; -17.75257, 48.85725; alt. 765 m; 23 Feb 2009; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0150629, CASENT0150630, CASENT0150636 (CASC). •1w., 1s.; Reserve Betampona, Camp Rendrirendry 34.1 km 332° Toamasina; -17.924, 49.19967; alt. 390 m; 30 Nov 2005; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0067809 (CASC). •4w., 2s., 1q., 1m.; Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato River; -16.81745, 49.2925; alt. 400 m; 26 Feb 2010; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0160460, CASENT0162149, CASENT0162150, CASENT0162210 (CASC). •3w., 3s.; Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato River; -16.8162, 49.29202; alt. 425 m; 25 Feb 2010; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0161882, CASENT0161897, CASENT0161898 (CASC). •2w.; Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato River; -16.80561, 49.29507; alt. 480 m; 27 Feb 2010; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0163058 (CASC). •1w., 1s.; Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato River; -16.7674, 49.26813; alt. 500 m; 23 Feb 2010; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0161932 (CASC). •7w., 1q., 1m.; Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato River; -16.7633, 49.26692; alt. 520 m; 22 Feb 2010; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0160490, CASENT0162105, CASENT0162981, CASENT0163830, CASENT0163876, CASENT0163938, CASENT0163983 (CASC). •1s; Station forestière Analamazaotra, Analamazaotra 1.3 km S Andasibe; -18.38466, 48.41271; alt. 980 m; 11 Dec 2007; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0139899 (CASC). •8w., 5s.; Torotorofotsy; -18.87082, 48.34737; alt. 1070 m; 24 Mar 2004; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0048136, CASENT0048382, CASENT0048408, CASENT0048467, CASENT0049030, CASENT0051147, CASENT0051149 (CASC).

Diagnosis.

Major workers. Head in full-face view rectangular, anterior and posterior of eyes relatively straight; sides of head with sparse, short, decumbent pilosity; scrobe surface with dense, fine rugulae and sometimes with additional sparse and fine, longitudinal rugae, interspaces and rugulae finely foveolate; inner hypostomal teeth distinct, big, thick, triangular, with rounded apex; outer hypostomal teeth approximately as high as inner hypostomal teeth but thinner, triangular, with rounded tips and wide base; first gastral tergite shagreened, at least on its basal part; body brown to dark brown. Minor workers. Head foveolate, only genae with smooth notches, covering at least their central part; promesonotum slightly convex, with relatively steep posterior declivity; mesosoma foveolate, only katepisternum and sometimes lateral sides of propodeum smooth; propodeal spines very short and triangular; body yellowish brown.

Redescription.

Major workers. Measurements (N = 10): HL: 1.37-1.6 (1.52); HW: 1.22-1.48 (1.4); SL: 0.56-0.64 (0.59); EL: 0.13-0.19 (0.16); WL: 1.08-1.24 (1.17); PSL: 0.21-0.24 (0.23); MTL: 0.57-0.66 (0.61); PNW: 0.72-0.88 (0.79); PTW: 0.18-0.25 (0.21); PPW: 0.61-0.75 (0.69); CI: 88.8-96.0 (91.7); SI: 40.3-45.6 (42.5); PSLI: 14.1-16.1 (15.0); PPI: 28.5-34.0 (30.7); PNI: 53.3-59.6 (56.7); MTI: 40.5-46.8 (43.9). Head. In full-face view rectangular, anterior and posterior of eyes relatively straight (Fig. 66B ). In lateral view sub-rectangular; ventral and dorsal faces finely convex; dorsal face finely depressed posteriorly, forming shallow transverse depression between frons and occipital lobes; inner hypostomal teeth visible. Sides of head with sparse, short, decumbent pilosity; whole head with moderately dense, short, decumbent to erect pilosity. Antennal scrobes indistinct and not delimited by carinulae. Occipital lobes with thick, sparse, irregular rugae, interspaces smooth and shiny; frons with thick, sparse to moderately sparse, longitudinal rugae, interspaces variable, smooth to finely foveolate; malar area and lateral sides of head with dense, fine rugulae and sometimes with additional sparse and fine, longitudinal rugae, interspaces and rugulae finely foveolate; genae with very fine and dense rugulae, sometimes rugulae weakening posteriorly or absent. Clypeus shiny and smooth, with a few indistinct, longitudinal rugae on the lateral sides; median notch present, wide, and shallow; median longitudinal carina absent; lateral longitudinal carinae absent. Scape, when laid back, reaching slightly beyond midlength of head; pilosity decumbent to erect (Fig. 66B, D ). Inner hypostomal teeth distinct, big, thick, triangular, with rounded apex; outer hypostomal teeth approximately as high as inner hypostomal teeth but thinner, triangular, with rounded tips and wide base (Fig. 85Q ). Mesosoma. In lateral view, promesonotum short, angular and relatively low, posterior mesonotum convex or slightly steep, without projections; promesonotal groove absent; metanotal groove absent; propodeal spines small, with base wide, apex rounded; humeral area with wide and flat tubercles (Fig. 66D ). Pronotum shiny, with sparse, irregular, thin rugae, interspaces smooth to finely foveolate; mesonotum and anepisternum finely foveolate; katepisternum smooth; propodeum finely foveolate and sometimes with additional rugae. Pilosity moderately dense, long, and erect (Fig. 66D, F ). Petiole. Shiny; peduncle finely foveolate, without horizontal lobes on its basal part; node smooth, moderately high and narrow, with convex apex, in rear view node dorsoventrally concave; pilosity moderately dense and erect (Fig. 66D, F ). Postpetiole. Finely foveolate and shiny; in dorsal view sides with moderately long, acute, narrow, and horn-like projections; pilosity long, moderately dense, and erect (Fig. 66D, F ). Petiole. First gastral tergite shagreened, at least on its basal part; pilosity dense, moderately short, and erect (Fig. 66D, F ). Colour. Brown to dark brown, legs yellow to bright brown (Fig. 66D, F ).

Minor workers. Measurements (N = 10): HL: 0.53-0.58 (0.55); HW: 0.48-0.51 (0.49); SL: 0.47-0.53 (0.5); EL: 0.09-0.12 (0.11); WL: 0.6-0.69 (0.67); PSL: 0.07-0.09 (0.06); MTL: 0.37-0.44 (0.4); PNW: 0.29-0.36 (0.32); PTW: 0.05-0.08 (0.07); PPW: 0.11-0.16 (0.14); CI: 86.7-93.6 (89.5); SI: 98.2-103.8 (101.5); PSLI: 12.6-16.7 (14.4); PPI: 41.5-58.8 (49.4); PNI: 61.3-70.0 (65.8); MTI: 76.4-88.2 (82.2). Head. Occipital margin straight or indistinctly concave; occipital carina indistinct, weakly developed (Fig. 66A ). Pilosity moderately dense, moderately long, decumbent to erect. Whole head foveolate, only genae with smooth notches covering at least their central part. Clypeus shiny, foveolate; median longitudinal carina present; two lateral longitudinal carinae absent. Scape, when laid back, surpassing the posterior head margin by two-fifths of its length; pilosity suberect to erect (Fig. 66A, C ). Mesosoma. In lateral view, promesonotum slightly convex, with relatively steep posterior declivity; promesonotal groove absent; metanotal groove indistinct; propodeal spines very short and triangular, apex acute (Fig. 66C ). Sculpture foveolate, only katepisternum and sometimes lateral sides of propodeum smooth. Pilosity moderately sparse, long, and erect (Fig. 66C, E ). Petiole. Peduncle short and thin with ventral face slightly convex; node low, globular, and small; with few long, erect setae (Fig. 66C, E ). Postpetiole. Short, low, and slightly convex; with few short, erect setae (Fig. 66C, E ). Petiole. With sparse, erect pilosity (Fig. 66C, E ). Colour. Unicolourous, yellowish brown (Fig. 66C, E ).

Biology.

The species was collected between 64-1343 m in elevation, in rainforest, montane rainforest, transitional humid forest, an urban garden, and grassland. Nests were located in rotten logs and tree stumps, and in dead twigs above ground.

Comments.

This species in most similar to P. brevipilosa sp. nov. and P. glabra sp. nov. Major workers. Pheidole petax can be distinguished from P. brevipilosa sp. nov. and P. glabra sp. nov. by never erect pilosity on sides of head, and more rectangular head shape in full-face view. Minor workers. Pheidole petax can be distinguished from P. brevipilosa sp. nov. by yellowish brown body colouration, lack of additional indistinct, longitudinal rugae on frons and malar area, lack of additional sparse, irregular rugae on promesonotal dorsum, and foveolate clypeus; from P. glabra sp. nov. by yellowish brown body colouration, sparser pilosity on head, lack of additional indistinct, longitudinal rugae on frons and malar area, never reduced or absent sculpture on the central part of frons, and dorsal surface of pronotum with never reduced sculpture.

Figures

Figure 66. Pheidole petax Forel, full-face view (A), profile (C), and dorsal view (E) of minor worker (CASENT 0455969) and full-face view (B), profile (D), and dorsal view (F) of major worker (CASENT 0119429).

Figure 85. Hypostomal teeth. Pheidole madinika sp. nov. (A). P. mahaboensis sp. nov. (B). P. maizina sp. nov. (C). P. makaensis sp. nov. (D). P. makirovana sp. nov. (E). P. manantenensis sp. nov. (F). P. mantadia sp. nov. (G). P. marieannae sp. nov. (H). P. masoala sp. nov. (I). P. mavesatra sp. nov. (J). P. miramila sp. nov. (K). P. moramanaensis sp. nov. (L). P. navoatrensis sp. nov. (M). P. nemoralis Forel (N). P. ocypodea sp. nov. (O). P. parviocula sp. nov. (P). P. petax Forel (Q). P. podargea sp. nov. (R). P. praegrandis sp. nov. (S). P. ranohirensis sp. nov. (T). P. rugocephala sp. nov. (U). P. rugofitarata sp. nov. (V). P. scabrata Forel (W). P. typhlos sp. nov. (X). P. vatovavensis sp. nov. (Y). P. voasara sp. nov. (Z). P. vohemarensis sp. nov. (AA). P. zavamanira sp. nov. (AB).

Figure 88. Distribution. Pheidole petax Forel (A). P. podargea sp. nov. (B). P. praegrandis sp. nov. (C). P. ranohirensis sp. nov. (D). P. rugocephala sp. nov. (E). P. rugofitarata sp. nov. (F). P. scabrata Forel (G). P. typhlos sp. nov. (H). P. vatovavensis sp. nov. (I). P. voasara sp. nov. (J). P. vohemarensis sp. nov. (K). P. zavamanira sp. nov. (L).