Pheidole nemoralis Forel, 1892
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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/DB20DBA0-F5A7-49DD-957C-85744CF561D7 |
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treatment provided by |
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scientific name |
Pheidole nemoralis Forel, 1892 |
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Pheidole nemoralis Forel, 1892 Figs 58A-F View Figure 58 , 85N View Figure 85 , 87S View Figure 87
Type material.
Pheidole nemoralis Forel, 1892: 526 (s.w.). Lectotype [designated here]: major worker (top specimen, CASENT0101323): Madagascar, Antananarivo, Andrangoloaka forest, coll. Sikora (MHNG) [examined]. Paralectotypes: 1 minor worker (CASENT0101324, bottom specimen, the same pin as lectotype) (MHNG) [examined], 1 minor worker (CASENT0101584) (MHNG) [examined]: the same data as lectotype.
Other material.
Madagascar. - Antananarivo: •1w., 1s.; Réserve Spéciale d’Ambohitantely, Forêt d Ambohitantely, Jardin Botanique, 24.1 km 59°NE d Ankazobe; -18.17139, 47.28182; alt. 1620 m; 17 Apr 2001; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0458918, CASENT0458967 (CASC). •2w.; Réserve Speciale d’Ambohitantely; -18.22444, 47.2774; alt. 1490 m; 9 Mar 2012; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0274645 (CASC). •2w.; Réserve Speciale d’Ambohitantely; -18.18762, 47.28576; alt. 1580 m; 8 Mar 2012; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0274610 (CASC). - Fianarantsoa: •1w., 1s.; 40 km S Ambalavao, Rés. Andringitra; -22.21667, 46.96667; alt. 1225 m; 19 Oct 1993; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0198554 (CASC). •2w., 1s.; 8.0 km NE Ivohibe; -22.42167, 46.89833; alt. 1200 m; 3 Nov 1997; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0198413, CASENT0198886 (CASC). •2w., 1s.; 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.; CASENT0119444, CASENT0235039 (CASC). •1w., 1s.; 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.; CASENT0118392 (CASC). •1w.; Parc National d’Isalo, Sahanafa River, 29.2 km 351°N Ranohira; -22.31333, 45.29167; alt. 500 m; 10 Feb 2003; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0031712 (CASC). •7w., 5s.; R.S. Ivohibe 8.0 km E Ivohibe; -22.48333, 46.96833; alt. 1200 m; 15 Oct 1997; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0198530, CASENT0198531, CASENT0198887, CASENT0198888 (CASC). •1w., 1s.; R.S. Ivohibe, 7.5 km ENE Ivohibe; -22.47, 46.96; alt. 900 m; 7 Oct 1997; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0196902, CASENT0198896 (CASC). - Toamasina: •1w.; Bevolota 17.1 km N Andasibe; -18.77071, 48.43164; alt. 995 m; 12 Dec 2007; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0135188 (CASC). •2s.; 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.; CASENT0038918, CASENT0039092 (CASC). - Toliara: •1w.; Forêt Classée d’Analavelona, 29.2 km 343°NNW Mahaboboka; -22.675, 44.19; alt. 1100 m; 18 Feb 2003; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0032166 (CASC). •7w., 7s., 1q.; Parc National d’Andohahela, Col du Sedro, 3.8 km 113°ESE Mahamavo, 37.6 km 341°NNW Tolagnaro; -24.76389, 46.75167; alt. 900 m; 21 Jan 2002; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0430849, CASENT0430850, CASENT0460132, CASENT0460136, CASENT0460137, CASENT0460138, CASENT0460140, CASENT0479177, CASENT0479179, CASENT0484098 (CASC).
Diagnosis.
Major workers. Head in full-face view sub-rectangular, anterior and posterior sides of eyes slightly convex; sides of the head with sparse, relatively long, erect pilosity; scrobe surface shiny, finely foveolate with sparse, thick, irregular rugae; inner hypostomal teeth distinct, closely spaced, triangular, with rounded apex directed inward, and wide base; outer hypostomal teeth slightly thinner and approximately as high as outer hypostomal teeth, and with wider base; gaster finely shagreened; body bright brown to dark brown. Minor workers. Head foveolate, genae with reduced sculpture; promesonotum low, short, slightly convex, with relatively steep posterior declivity; mesosoma foveolate, katepisternum, anepisternum, and mesosoma smooth; propodeal spines small, triangular; body yellow.
Redescription.
Major workers. Measurements (N = 10): HL: 1.02-1.19 (1.11); HW: 0.99-1.12 (1.05); SL: 0.44-0.5 (0.47); EL: 0.12-0.15 (0.13); WL: 0.75-0.93 (0.84); PSL: 0.14-0.2 (0.16); MTL: 0.43-0.51 (0.47); PNW: 0.49-0.59 (0.55); PTW: 0.13-0.16 (0.15); PPW: 0.36-0.46 (0.41); CI: 92.6-96.4 (94.9); SI: 42.6-48.3 (44.6); PSLI: 13.1-16.7 (14.7); PPI: 31.6-38.4 (35. 1); PNI: 49.7-53.2 (51.8); MTI: 43.2-46.1 (44.5). Head. In full-face view sub-rectangular, anterior and posterior sides of eyes slightly convex (Fig. 58B View Figure 58 ). In lateral view sub-rectangular; ventral and dorsal faces relatively convex; dorsal face finely depressed posteriorly, forming shallow transverse depression between frons and occipital lobes; inner hypostomal teeth invisible. Sides of the head with sparse, relatively long, erect pilosity; whole head with dense, short, suberect to erect pilosity. Antennal scrobes indistinct and not delimited by carinulae; scrobe surface shiny, finely foveolate with sparse, thick, irregular rugae. Occipital lobes shiny, with fine foveolae and distinct, sparse, irregular rugae, sculpture not weakening posteriorly; frons and malar area with dense, thick, and longitudinal rugae, interspaces distinctly to finely foveolate, anterior part of frons with smooth sculpture between rugae; genae shiny, with distinct to fine rugulae. Centre of clypeus smooth and shiny, lateral sides with longitudinal rugae; median notch present, moderately wide and shallow; median longitudinal carina absent; lateral longitudinal carinae present. Scape, when laid back, slightly exceeding the midlength of head; pilosity suberect to erect (Fig. 58B, D View Figure 58 ). Inner hypostomal teeth distinct, closely spaced, triangular, with rounded apex directed inward, and wide base; outer hypostomal teeth slightly thinner and approximately as high as outer hypostomal teeth, and with wider base (Fig. 85N View Figure 85 ). Mesosoma. In lateral view, promesonotum short, relatively low, and convex, dorsal mesonotum slightly concave, posterior mesonotum steep, with small tubercle-like projections; promesonotal groove absent; metanotal groove absent; propodeal spines small, triangular, with rounded apex; humeral area laterally well produced (Fig. 58D View Figure 58 ). Surface shiny, with fine but distinct foveolae or rugo-foveolae, and with additional sparse, fine and irregular rugae. Pilosity moderately sparse, long, and erect (Fig. 58D, F View Figure 58 ). Petiole. Shiny and with fine foveolae; peduncle short, with distinct horizontal lobes on its basal part; node relatively high, triangular, with rounded apex, in rear view node slightly convex; pilosity moderately sparse and erect (Fig. 58D, F View Figure 58 ). Postpetiole. Shiny, finely shagreened; in dorsal view sides with moderately long, acute, and triangular projections; pilosity long, moderately long and erect (Fig. 58D, F View Figure 58 ). Petiole. Shiny and finely shagreened; pilosity moderately dense, short, and erect (Fig. 58D, F View Figure 58 ). Colour. Unicolourous, bright brown to dark brown; legs yellowish brown (Fig. 58D, F View Figure 58 ).
Minor workers. Measurements (N = 10): HL: 0.49-0.53 (0.51); HW: 0.43-0.47 (0.44); SL: 0.45-0.48 (0.46); EL: 0.09-0.1 (0.1); WL: 0.56-0.63 (0.6); PSL: 0.08-0.09 (0.08); MTL: 0.34-0.37 (0.36); PNW: 0.27-0.31 (0.29); PTW: 0.06-0.08 (0.07); PPW: 0.11-0.13 (0.12); CI: 84.8-89.4 (87.4); SI: 100.6-107.9 (104.2); PSLI: 14.5-18.1 (16.4); PPI: 53.3-65.1 (60.1); PNI: 60.2-68.0 (65.4); MTI: 76.0-83.0 (80.3). Head. Occipital margin straight or indistinctly concave; occipital carina absent (Fig. 58A View Figure 58 ). Pilosity moderately sparse, moderately long, suberect to erect. Head foveolate; genae with reduced sculpture. Clypeus with fine and sometimes reduced foveolae; median longitudinal carina absent; two lateral longitudinal carinae absent. Scape, when laid back, surpassing posterior head margin by one-fifth of its length; pilosity erect (Fig. 58A, C View Figure 58 ). Mesosoma. In lateral view, promesonotum low, short, slightly convex, with relatively steep posterior declivity; promesonotal groove absent; metanotal groove absent; propodeal spines small, triangular, apex acute (Fig. 58C View Figure 58 ). Sculpture foveolate; katepisternum, anepisternum, and mesonotum smooth. Pilosity moderately sparse, short, and erect (Fig. 58C, E View Figure 58 ). Petiole. Peduncle very short and thin with ventral face slightly convex; with few short, erect setae (Fig. 58C, E View Figure 58 ). Postpetiole. Short, low, and convex; with few short, erect setae (Fig. 58C, E View Figure 58 ). Petiole. With moderately sparse, erect pilosity (Fig. 58C, E View Figure 58 ). Colour. Unicolourous, yellow (Fig. 58C, E View Figure 58 ).
Biology.
The species was collected between 10-1620 m in elevation, in montane rainforest, rainforest, montane shrubland, open secondary vegetation, gallery forest, and littoral rainforest. Nests were located in rotten logs and tree stumps, and in dead twigs above ground.
Comments.
Pheidole nemoralis is most similar to P. ala sp. nov. Major workers. Pheidole nemoralis differs from P. ala sp. nov. in at least anterior part of frons with partially smooth sculpture between rugae and finely shagreened gaster. Minor workers. Pheidole nemoralis differs from P. ala sp. nov. in mesosoma with relatively steep posterior declivity, never entirely smooth genae, and small propodeal spines.
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