Pheidole praegrandis, 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 praegrandis sp. nov. Figs 25A-F , 85S , 88C

Type material.

Holotype. Madagascar. •1 major worker; Antsiranana; 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.; BLF08889, CASENT0494942, top specimen on the pin (CASC). Paratypes. Madagascar. •9w., 2s.; same data as for holotype; CASENT0494952, CASENT0872086, CASENT0494943-CASENT0494945, CASENT0872223-CASENT0872229 (CASC).

Other material.

Madagascar. - Antsiranana: •1w., 1s.; Makirovana Forest; -14.16044, 49.95216; alt. 550 m; 1 May 2011; B.L. Fisher et al. leg. CASENT0212471 (CASC). •7w.; Makirovana Forest; -14.17066, 49.95409; alt. 415 m; 29 Apr 2011; B.L. Fisher et al. leg. CASENT0212806, CASENT0231274, CASENT0236088, CASENT0236098 (CASC). •6w., 2s., 1q.; Makirovana Forest; -14.16506, 49.9477; alt. 900 m; 30 Apr 2011; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0231001, CASENT0231002, CASENT0231012, CASENT0231014, CASENT0231043 (CASC). •4w., 2s., 2q.; Makirovana Forest; -14.16666, 49.95, alt. 715 m; 2 May 2011; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0231097, CASENT0231098, CASENT0231113, CASENT0231167 (CASC). •2w., 2s.; Masoala National Park; -15.33058, 50.30279, alt. 250 m; 13 Mar 2014; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0374505, CASENT0377081 (CASC). •21w., 11s., 1q.; 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.; CASENT0045333, CASENT0045341, CASENT0045357, CASENT0045368, CASENT0045372, CASENT0048887, CASENT0048895, CASENT0235122, CASENT0487704, CASENT0487706, CASENT0487825, CASENT0487903, CASENT0494780, CASENT0494781, CASENT0077076, CASENT0077079, CASENT0077119, CASENT0077122 (CASC). - Fianarantsoa: •4w.; Forêt d’Ambalagoavy Nord, Ikongo, Ambatombe; -21.857068, 47.37849; alt. 625 m; 1 Dec 2000; Harin’Hala & Irwin leg.; CASENT0009561, CASENT0009562, CASENT0009566, CASENT0009571 (CASC). - Toamasina: •10w., 8s., 3q.; Montagne d’Anjanaharibe, 18.0 km 21°NNE Ambinanitelo; -15.18833, 49.615; alt. 470 m; 8 Mar 2003; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0495134, CASENT0495141, CASENT0495145, CASENT0495193, CASENT0495220, CASENT0495221, CASENT0495222, CASENT0495393, CASENT0495395, CASENT0495396 (CASC). •4w., 3s.; Reserve Betampona, Camp Vohitsivalana, 37.1 km 338° Toamasina; -17.88667, 49.2025; alt. 520 m; 2 Dec 2005; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0067653, CASENT0067655, CASENT0067915, CASENT0069180 (CASC).

Diagnosis.

Major workers. Large species: HL: 2.94-3.2 (3.0), HW: 2.68-3.1 (2.8), WL: 2.01-2.24 (2.11); propodeal spines very long (PSL: 0.81-0.96 (0.89)); head in full-face view trapezoid, widened posteriorly; sides of the head without pilosity; frons with fine, dense, longitudinal rugae reaching at most midlength of head; first gastral tergite shagreened, at least on its basal half; body dark brown to black. Minor workers. Large species: HL: 1.15-1.29 (1.2), HW: 1.04-1.14 (1.1), WL: 1.86-2.01 (1.92); propodeal spines very long (PSL: 0.91-1.0 (0.97)); scape, when laid back, surpassing posterior head margin by more than half its length; mesosoma finely rugoreticulate; promesonotal groove absent or very indistinct; metanotal groove shallow and wide.

Description.

Major workers. Measurements (N = 10): HL: 2.94-3.2 (3.0); HW: 2.68-3.1 (2.8); SL: 1.36-1.45 (1.39); EL: 0.24-0.3 (0.27); WL: 2.01-2.24 (2.11); PSL: 0.81-0.96 (0.89); MTL: 1.53-1.7 (1.6); PNW: 0.84-1.0 (0.92); PTW: 0.28-0.32 (0.3); PPW: 0.76-0.9 (0.82); CI: 90.1-96.6 (93.4); SI: 47.4-51.0 (49.3); PSLI: 27.4-31.7 (29.5); PPI: 33.1-38.4 (36.5); PNI: 30.1-35.9 (32.6); MTI: 54.9-59.9 (56.5). Head. In full-face view trapezoid, widened posteriorly (Fig. 25B ). In lateral view sub-oval; ventral and dorsal faces convex; inner hypostomal teeth visible. Sides of the head without pilosity; frons and vertex with few, long, erect setae. Antennal scrobes absent. Occipital lobes shiny and smooth or partially shagreened; genae smooth and shiny, sometimes partially shagreened; centre of frons shiny with fine, dense, longitudinal rugae reaching at most midlength of head; malar area shagreened with several short, longitudinal rugae; lateral sides of head and posterior part of frons shagreened; head sculpture weakens posteriorly. Centre of clypeus smooth and shiny, lateral sides with longitudinal rugae; median notch present, shallow and wide; median longitudinal carina absent; lateral longitudinal carinae absent. Scape, when laid back, reaching midlength of head; pilosity suberect to erect (Fig. 25B, D ). Inner hypostomal teeth distinct, triangular and thick, with rounded apex, closely spaced; outer hypostomal teeth distinct, slightly smaller and thinner than inner hypostomal teeth, lobe-like (Fig. 85S ). Mesosoma. In lateral view, promesonotum low, short, and relatively flat; dorsal pronotum slightly convex; dorsal mesonotum slightly concave; posterior mesonotum relatively convex; promesonotal groove absent; metanotal groove absent; propodeal spines very long, massive basally, with acute apex; humeral area laterally weakly or not produced (Fig. 25D ). Surface shiny, rugoreticulate, propodeal dorsum with weaker sculpture. Pilosity very sparse, short, and decumbent; dorsum with few additional, long, erect setae (Fig. 25D, F ). Petiole. Weakly shagreened; peduncle relatively long and thin; node triangular with rounded apex, in rear view node dorsoventrally depressed; pilosity sparse, short, and erect (Fig. 25D, F ). Postpetiole. Weakly shagreened; in dorsal view sides with acute, moderately wide, short, and triangular projections; pilosity short to long, sparse and erect (Fig. 25D, F ). Gaster. First gastral tergite shagreened, at least on its basal half; pilosity sparse, long, and erect (Fig. 25D, F ). Colour. Unicolourous, dark brown to black (Fig. 25D, F ).

Minor workers. Measurements (N = 10): HL: 1.15-1.29 (1.2); HW: 1.04-1.14 (1.1); SL: 1.52-1.69 (1.62); EL: 0.17-0.2 (0.19); WL: 1.86-2.01 (1.92); PSL: 0.91-1.0 (0.97); MTL: 1.42-1.54 (1.49); PNW: 0.75-0.81 (0.77); PTW: 0.15-0.2 (0.17); PPW: 0.27-0.35 (0.32); CI: 87.5-92.7 (89.7); SI: 140.8-156.6 (147.6); PSLI: 75.8-84.0 (78.5); PPI: 45.6-60.8 (53.1); PNI: 67.6-72.1 (70.1); MTI: 126.2-143.4 (134.8). Head. Occipital margin convex; occipital carina narrow, weakly developed (Fig. 25A ). Pilosity sparse, short, and appressed on the whole surface and additionally long and erect on frons and median part of occiput. Sculpture variable, shiny, smooth to finely rugulose on vertex, centre, and posterior part of frons and genae; lateral sides of head finely rugulose; antennal sockets with sparse carinae curved outward. Clypeus with median longitudinal carina absent; two lateral longitudinal carinae present. Scape, when laid back, surpassing posterior head margin by more than half of its length; pilosity suberect to erect (Fig. 25A, C ). Mesosoma. In lateral view, promesonotum low, long, and slightly convex; promesonotal groove absent or very indistinct; metanotal groove shallow and wide; propodeal spines very long, massive basally, with acute apex (Fig. 25C ). Surface finely rugoreticulate. Pilosity short, very sparse, suberect (Fig. 25C, E ). Petiole. Peduncle long and thin; node triangular with rounded apex; pilosity absent (Fig. 25C, E ). Postpetiole. Moderately short, low, and slightly convex; with two long, erect setae at the anterior edge (Fig. 25C, E ). Gaster. With few long, erect setae (Fig. 25C, E ). Colour. Unicolourous, dark brown to black (Fig. 25C, E ).

Etymology.

Latin for huge, in reference to large body size and very long propodeal spines.

Biology.

The species was collected between 250-900 m in elevation, in rainforest and montane rainforest. Nests were located in rotten logs and tree stumps.

Comments.

This species is most similar to P. longispinosa and P. mahaboensis sp. nov. Major workers. Pheidole praegrandis sp. nov. can be distinguished from P. longispinosa by shagreened surface of head and first gastral tergite, and darker body colouration; from P. mahaboensis sp. nov. by absence of metanotal groove, absence of very sparse, short, decumbent pilosity at the sides of head, and shagreened first gastral tergite and head. Minor workers. Pheidole praegrandis sp. nov. can be distinguished from P. longispinosa by rugoreticulate mesosoma sculpture; from P. mahaboensis sp. nov. by rugoreticulate mesosoma sculpture, and shallow and wide metanotal groove.

Figures

Figure 25. Pheidole praegrandis sp. nov., full-face view (A), profile (C), and dorsal view (E) of paratype minor worker (CASENT 0494945) and full-face view (B), profile (D), and dorsal view (F) of holotype major worker (CASENT 0494942).

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).