Pheidole kely, Salata & Fisher, 2020

Salata, Sebastian & Fisher, Brian L., 2020, Taxonomic revision of the Pheidole sikorae species group (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from Madagascar, ZooKeys 949, pp. 1-185 : 1

Pheidole kely sp. nov. Figs 36A-F , 63R , 65R

Type material.

Holotype. Madagascar. • 1 major worker; Toamasina; Parc National de Zahamena; -17.73359, 48.72625; alt. 950 m; 19 Feb 2009; B. L. Fisher et al. leg.; rainforest, ex rotten log; BLF22067; CASENT0235022 (CASC). Paratype. • 1w.; same data as for holotype, CASENT0149839 (CASC).

Other material.

Madagascar. - Antsiranana: • 2w., 2s.; Betaolana Forest, along Bekona River; -14.52996, 49.44039; alt. 880 m; 4 Mar 2009; B. L. Fisher et al. leg.; rainforest, ex rotten log; BLF22452 (CASC). • 2w., 2q.; Betaolana Forest, along Bekona River; -14.52996, 49.44039; alt. 880 m; 4 Mar 2009; B. L. Fisher et al. leg.; rainforest, ex rotten log; BLF22480 (CASC). • 2w., 2s.; Betaolana Forest, along Bekona River; -14.52996, 49.44039; alt. 880 m; 4 Mar 2009; B. L. Fisher et al. leg.; rainforest, ex rotten log; BLF22559 (CASC). • 1w., 1s.; Betaolana Forest, along Bekona River; -14.52996, 49.44039; alt. 880 m; 5 Mar 2009; B. L. Fisher et al. leg.; rainforest, ex rotten log; BLF22591 (CASC). • 1w., 1s.; Betaolana Forest, along Bekona River; -14.52996, 49.44039; alt. 880 m; 5 Mar 2009; B. L. Fisher et al. leg.; rainforest, ex rotten log; BLF22628 (CASC). • 2w., 2q.; Makirovana forest; -14.17066, 49.95409; alt. 415 m; 29 Apr 2011; B. L. Fisher et al. leg.; rainforest, ex rotten log; BLF26641 (CASC). • 2w.; Makirovana forest; -14.17066, 49.95409; alt. 415 m; 29 Apr 2011; B. L. Fisher et al. leg.; rainforest, ex root mat, ground layer; BLF26670 (CASC). • 2w.; Makirovana forest; -14.16044, 49.95216; alt. 550 m; 1 May 2011; B. L. Fisher et al. leg.; rainforest, under rootmat, litter on rock; BLF26911 (CASC). • 3w., 2s.; Parc National de Marojejy, Manantenina River, 27.6 km 35°NE Andapa, 9.6 km 327°NNW Manantenina; -14.435, 49.76; alt. 775 m; 15 Nov 2003; B. L. Fisher et al. leg.; rainforest, ex rotten log; BLF08904 (CASC). • 3w., 6s.; Parc National de Marojejy, Manantenina River, 27.6 km 35°NE Andapa, 9.6 km 327°NNW Manantenina; -14.435, 49.76; alt. 775 m; 15 Nov 2003; B. L. Fisher et al. leg.; rainforest, ex rotten log; BLF08928 (CASC). • 2w.; Parc National de Marojejy, Manantenina River, 27.6 km 35°NE Andapa, 9.6 km 327°NNW Manantenina; -14.435, 49.76; alt. 775 m; 16 Nov 2003; B. L. Fisher et al. leg.; rainforest, ex rotten log; BLF08943 (CASC). • 2w., 3s.; 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.; rainforest, ex rotten log; BLF08749 (CASC). • 3w., 1s., 1q.; Sava Region: Parc National de Marojejy, Manantenina River, 28.0 km 24.8°NE Andapa; -14.43461, 49.76074; alt. 780 m; 8 Feb 2018; B. L. Fisher et al. leg.; rainforest, ex rotten log; BLF40819 (CASC). • 3w., 1s., 1m.; Sava Region: Parc National de Marojejy, Manantenina River, 28.0 km 24.8°NE Andapa; -14.43461, 49.76074; alt. 780 m; 13 Feb 2018; B. L. Fisher et al. leg.; rainforest, ex rotten log; BLF41152 (CASC). • 2w., 1s., 1q.; 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.; rainforest, ex rotten log; BLF40761 (CASC).- Fianarantsoa: • 2w.; Parc National d’Isalo, Ambovo Springs, 29.3 km 4°N Ranohira; -22.29833, 45.35167; alt. 990 m; 9 Feb 2003; B. L. Fisher et al. leg.; Uapaca woodland, under stone; BLF07796 (CASC).- Toamasina: • 3w.; 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.; rainforest, ex rotten log; BLF08293 (CASC). • 1w., 1s.; Parc National de Zahamena; -17.73359, 48.72625; alt. 950 m; 19 Feb 2009; B. L. Fisher et al. leg.; rainforest, ex rotten log; BLF22093 (CASC).

Diagnosis.

Minute species. Major workers. HL <1.0 mm and WL <0.8 mm; head in full-face view sub-oval, widening slightly posteriorly, with anterior and posterior sides convex, in lateral view sub-oval; ventral and dorsal faces convex; body yellowish orange; sides of head with moderately dense, moderately long, suberect to erect pilosity; entire head distinctly sculptured, medial part of frons with thick, dense, longitudinal, and interrupted rugae and smooth to indistinctly rugulate interspaces; scape, when laid back, slightly exceeding the midlength of head; mesosoma with fine and sparse rugofoveolae, pronotum with rugofoveolae reduced and smooth notches on medial parts of dorsum and lateral sides; katepisternum with smooth notch; inner hypostomal teeth distinct, large, closely spaced, triangular, with rounded apex directed upward; outer hypostomal teeth lobe-like, lower than inner teeth and approximately the same weight; inner and outer hypostomal teeth moderately closely spaced and not connected by concavity; base of first gastral tergite smooth. Minor workers. HL <0.5 mm and WL <0.6 mm, scape, when laid back, surpassing the posterior head margin by one-fifth of its length; propodeal spines small and triangular; head relatively rectangular; body dark yellow; head foveolate; medial side of frons with sparse, fine, and interrupted rugulae; area posterolateral from eyes smooth; mesosoma smooth.

Description.

Major workers. Measurements (N = 10): HL: 0.9-0.97 (0.93); HW: 0.87-0.95 (0.91); SL: 0.48-0.53 (0.5); EL: 0.1-0.13 (0.11); WL: 0.77-0.84 (0.8); PSL: 0.12-0.15 (0.14); MTL: 0.44-0.5 (0.47); PNW: 0.39-0.46 (0.43); PTW: 0.1-0.14 (0.12); PPW: 0.25-0.31 (0.28); CI: 100.2-104.6 (102.4); SI: 53.1-58.3 (55.0); PSLI: 13.2-15.7 (14.5); PPI: 38.7-48.6 (41.8); PNI: 43.0-49.2 (47.3); MTI: 49.3-54.1 (51.5).

Head. In full-face view sub-oval, widening slightly posteriorly, with anterior and posterior sides convex (Fig. 36B ). In lateral view sub-oval; ventral and dorsal faces convex; inner hypostomal teeth visible. Sides of the head with moderately dense, moderately long, suberect to erect pilosity; whole head with dense, long, decumbent to erect pilosity. Medial part of frons with thick, dense, longitudinal, and interrupted rugae and smooth to indistinctly rugulate interspaces; lateral sides with thick, dense, and irregular rugae, interspaces shiny and distinctly rugofoveolate; rugae more longitudinal on anterolateral sides. Occipital lobes with thinner, irregular rugae and smooth to indistinctly rugofoveolate interspaces. Area posterolateral from eyes with sculpture weaker and rugoreticulate; sculpture weakening posteriorly. Gena with relatively sparse, thick, longitudinal rugae and smooth to indistinctly rugoreticulate interspaces. Centre of clypeus smooth and shiny, lateral sides with indistinct rugulae; median notch present, moderately wide, and shallow; median longitudinal carina present; lateral longitudinal carinae absent. Scape, when laid back, slightly exceeding the midlength of head; pilosity subdecumbent to erect (Fig. 36B, D ). Inner hypostomal teeth distinct, large, closely spaced, triangular, with rounded apex directed upward; outer hypostomal teeth lobe-like, lower than inner teeth and approximately the same weight; inner and outer hypostomal teeth moderately closely spaced and not connected by concavity (Fig. 63R ). Mesosoma. In lateral view, promesonotum short, angular, and moderately low, posterior mesonotum moderately steep, mesonotal process very indistinct, tubercle-like or absent; promesonotal groove absent; metanotal groove absent; propodeal spines moderately long, with moderately wide base and acute apex; humeral area laterally weakly produced (Fig. 36D ). Surface shiny with fine and sparse rugofoveolae; pronotum with rugofoveolae reduced and smooth notches on medial parts of dorsum and lateral sides; katepisternum with smooth notch. Pilosity moderately sparse, long, and erect (Fig. 36D, F ). Petiole. Shiny with fine foveolae; node smooth to finely foveolate, triangular, with rounded and thick apex, in rear view node dorsoventrally straight to slightly convex; pilosity moderately sparse and erect (Fig. 36D, F ). Postpetiole. Shiny and foveolate; dorsum with reduced sculpture and smooth notch; in dorsal view oval, lateral margins medially with two dentate projections; pilosity long, moderately sparse, and erect (Fig. 36D, F ). Gaster. Shiny and smooth; pilosity dense, moderately long, and erect (Fig. 36D, F ). Colour. Yellowish orange; mandibles and gaster brown (Fig. 36D, F ).

Minor workers. Measurements (N = 10): HL: 0.47-0.52 (0.49); HW: 0.4-0.45 (0.42); SL: 0.43-0.48 (0.45); EL: 0.09-0.11 (0.1); WL: 0.53-0.61 (0.57); PSL: 0.04-0.06 (0.05); MTL: 0.33-0.41 (0.37); PNW: 0.27-0.3 (0.28); PTW: 0.05-0.08 (0.06); PPW: 0.1-0.14 (0.12); CI: 111.9-121.1 (117.0); SI: 103.9-108.0 (106.1); PSLI: 7.9-11.7 (10.3); PPI: 48.3-64.2 (55.5); PNI: 64.9-69.7 (67.0); MTI: 80.2-98.8 (85.4).

Head. Cephalic margin indistinctly concave to straight (Fig. 36A ). Pilosity relatively dense, moderately long, decumbent to suberect. Sculpture shiny and foveolate; medial side of frons with sparse, fine, and interrupted rugulae; area posterolateral from eyes smooth; antennal sockets with few thick, curved outward rugae and indistinctly foveolate interspaces. Clypeus with median longitudinal carina absent; two lateral longitudinal carinae absent. Scape, when laid back, surpassing the posterior head margin by one-fifth of its length; pilosity dense, subdecumbent to erect (Fig. 36A, C ). Mesosoma. In lateral view, promesonotum moderately high and short, arched; promesonotal groove absent; metanotal groove distinct; propodeal spines small and triangular (Fig. 36C ). Sculpture shiny and smooth. Pilosity moderately sparse, moderately long, and erect (Fig. 36C, E ). Gaster. With sparse, erect pilosity (Fig. 36C, E ). Colour. Dark yellow, gaster and vertex brown (Fig. 36C, E ).

Etymology.

Malagasy for small in reference to body size.

Biology.

The species was collected between 325-990 m in elevation, in rainforest and Uapaca woodland. Nests were located in rotten logs, under rootmats, and under stones.

Comments.

Pheidole kely sp. nov. belongs to the group of species characterised by small body size (major workers: HL <1.05 mm, WL <0.9 mm and minor workers HL <0.5 mm, WL <0.6 mm), sub-oval, slightly widening posteriorly head with anterior and posterior sides convex in major workers, and minor workers with yellow to brown body colouration and foveolate head or head predominantly smooth and relatively oval. The group includes six species: P. havoana sp. nov., P. kely sp. nov., P. parvula sp. nov., P. parvulogibba sp. nov., P. volontany sp. nov., and P. midongy sp. nov. Pheidole kely sp. nov. is distributed from Toamasina north to Sambava and has a single record from Parc National d’Isalo in Fianarantsoa. Morphologically it is most similar to P. havoana sp. nov. and P. parvulogibba sp. nov., described from the Anosyenne Mts. in Toliara, and parapatric P. parvula sp. nov., known from two localities in the vicinity of Antananarivo. Minor workers of P. kely sp. nov. distinctly differ from those of P. parvula sp. nov. and P. parvulogibba sp. nov. in having a predominantly foveolate head. Minor workers of P. havoana sp. nov. and P. kely sp. nov. are indistinguishable. Major workers of P. kely sp. nov. differ from P. havoana sp. nov. and P. parvula sp. nov. in medial part of frons with thick, dense, longitudinal, and interrupted rugae and smooth to indistinctly rugulate interspaces; from P. parvulogibba sp. nov. in mesosoma with fine and sparse rugofoveolae, pronotum with rugofoveolae reduced, and smooth notches on medial parts of dorsum and its lateral sides.

Figures

Figure 36. Pheidole kely sp. nov., full-face view (A), profile (C), and dorsal view (E) of paratype minor worker (CASENT 0149839) and full-face view (B), profile (D), and dorsal view (F) of holotype major worker (CASENT 0235022).

Figure 63. Major worker, hypostomal teeth. Pheidole alina sp. nov. (A). Pheidole ambohimanga sp. nov. (B). Pheidole analavelona sp. nov. (C). Pheidole andohahela sp. nov. (D). Pheidole anomala sp. nov. (E). Pheidole anosyenne sp. nov. (F). Pheidole antranohofa sp. nov. (G). Pheidole beanka sp. nov. (H). Pheidole befotaka sp. nov. (I). Pheidole dasos sp. nov. (J). Pheidole flavominuta sp. nov. (K). Pheidole gracilis sp. nov. (L). Pheidole haboka sp. nov. (M). Pheidole havoana sp. nov. (N). Pheidole hazo sp. nov. (O). Pheidole itremo sp. nov. (P). Pheidole joffreville sp. nov. (Q). Pheidole kely sp. nov. (R). Pheidole lavasoa sp. nov. (S). Pheidole litigiosa Forel (T). Pheidole mahamavo sp. nov. (U). Pheidole mainty sp. nov. (V). Pheidole mamiratra sp. nov. (W). Pheidole manantenina sp. nov. (X).

Figure 65. Distribution. Pheidole alina sp. nov. (A). Pheidole ambohimanga sp. nov. (B). Pheidole analavelona sp. nov. (C). Pheidole andohahela sp. nov. (D). Pheidole anomala sp. nov. (E). Pheidole anosyenne sp. nov. (F). Pheidole antranohofa sp. nov. (G). Pheidole beanka sp. nov. (H). Pheidole befotaka sp. nov. (I). Pheidole dasos sp. nov. (J). Pheidole flavominuta sp. nov. (K). Pheidole gracilis sp. nov. (L). Pheidole haboka sp. nov. (M). Pheidole havoana sp. nov. (N). Pheidole hazo sp. nov. (O). Pheidole itremo sp. nov. (P). Pheidole joffreville sp. nov. (Q). Pheidole kely sp. nov. (R). Pheidole lavasoa sp. nov. (S). Pheidole litigiosa Forel (T).