Pheidole oswaldi Forel, 1891: 173 The ant genus Pheidole Westwood, 1839 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Madagascar-taxonomic revision of the bessonii species-group Salata, Sebastian Fisher, Brian L. Zootaxa 2020 2020-08-31 4843 1 1 64 4FYHF Forel, 1891 Forel 1891 [151,503,1086,1113] Insecta Formicidae Pheidole Animalia Hymenoptera 43 44 Arthropoda species oswaldi   Figs 20A–F, 27L, 28L      Pheidole oswaldi Forel, 1891: 173(s.w.q.m.).   LECTOTYPE[designated here]: 1s., Madagascar, Toamasina, 30 milesSW Toamasina,  28.IX.1889, coll. Oswald, CASENT0101640,ANTC3354 ( MHNG).  PARALECTOTYPES: 3w., the same data as lectotype, CASENT0101724, ANTC3355 ( MHNG);  1q., Imerina, coll. Sikora, CASENT0101808, ANTC3353 ( MHNG);   1m ., Imerina, coll. Sikora, CASENT0101706, ANTC3356 ( MHNG).   Other material.  Madagascar. Fianarantsoa: 3w., 1s., Parc National de Ranomafana, Vatoharanana River,  4.1 km231° SW Ranomafana, -21.29 47.43333,  1100 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC).  Toamasina: 2w., 1s.,  5.3 kmSSE Ambanizana, Andranobe, -15.67133 49.97395,  425 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC);  8w., 3q., Ankerana, -18.4061 48.82029,  725 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC);  1w., 1s., Ankerana, -18.40062 48.81311,  865 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC);  8w., Ankerana, -18.40636 48.80254,  1108 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 6w., 2s.,  1m ., Ankerana, -18.4061 48.82029,  725 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC);  1w., 1s., Ankerana, -18.40672 48.82281,  681 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 2w., 1s.,  1m ., Ankerana, -18.40636 48.80254,  1108 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC);  1w., F.C. Andriantantely, -18.695 48.81333,  530 m, H. J. Ratsirarsonleg. ( CASC);  6w., F.C. Sandranantitra, -18.04833 49.09167,  450 m, H. J. Ratsirarsonleg. ( CASC);  2w., Montagne d’Akirindro  7.6 km341° NNW Ambinanitelo, -15.28833 49.54833,  600 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC);  26w., 12s., Montagne d’Anjanaharibe, 18.0 km 21° NNE Ambinanitelo, -15.18833 49.615, 470 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 5s., Montagne d’Anjanaharibe,  19.5 km27° NNE Ambinanitelo, -15.17833 49.635,  1100 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 1s., Nosy Mangabe,  7.43 kmS Maroantsetra, -15.4973 49.76223,  3 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC);  1w., 1s., Parc National de Zahamena, -17.73359 48.72625,  950 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC);  2w., 1s., Parc National de Zahamena, Tetezambatana forest, near junction of Nosivolaand Manakambahiny Rivers, -17.74298 48.72936,  860 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC);  1w., 1s., Parc National Mananara-Nord, 7.1 km261° Antanambe, -16.455 49.7875,  225 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC);  2w., 2s., Res. Ambodiriana, 4.8 km306° Manompana, along Manompana river, -16.67233 49.70117,  125 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC);  2w., 2s., Reserve Betampona, Camp Rendrirendry 34.1 km332°  Toamasina, -17.924 49.19967,  390 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC);  2w., 2s., Reserve Betampona, Camp Vohitsivalana, 37.1 km338°  Toamasina, -17.88667 49.2025,  520 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC); 2w., 1s.,  1m ., Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato river, -16.81753 49.29498,  360 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC);  2w.,   1m., Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato river, -16.76912 49.26704,  475 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC);  1w., 1s., Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato river, -16.77468 49.26551,  355 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC);  1w., 1s., 1q., Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato river, -16.7633 49.26692,  520 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC);  1w., 1s., Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato river, -16.7702 49.26638,  470 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC);  1w., 1s., Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato river, -16.7755 49.26427,  430 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC);  2w., 2s., Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato river, -16.81739 49.29402,  360 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC);  4w., 3s., 1q., Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato river, -16.81745 49.2925,  400 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC);  3w.,   1m., Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato river, -16.80561 49.29507,  480 m, Fisher et al. leg. ( CASC).  Geographic range. Madagascar, widely distributed in the central and eastern parts of the island.   Diagnosis. Major workers.Head in full-face view sub-rectangular, not widening posteriorly, with lateral margins relatively straight; side of head with dense, long, suberect to erect pilosity; medial frons with moderately dense and thick costulae; interspaces between costulae distinctly punctate; frons laterally with thick and sparse rugae; interspaces between rugae distinctly punctate; occipital lobes punctate, sometimes with additional sparse and weakly developed rugae; scape, when laid back, exceeding the midlength of head by one-fifth of its length; inner hypostomal tooth distinct, small, and bulge-like, with top arching posteroventrally; outer hypostomal tooth lobe-like, moderately high, and wide, with top directed posteriorly; median tooth absent; promesonotum moderately long, angular, and very low; posterior mesonotum smoothly declining towards propodeum; mesonotal process weakly developed and tubercle-like; mesosoma punctate; lateral sides of pronotum, propodeum, and katepisternum with additional thin rugae; gaster indistinctly shagreened; body yellowish brown to brown. Minor workers.Occiput slightly elongated; nuchal collar indistinct; head sculpture punctate, gena mostly or entirely smooth; scape, when laid back, exceeding the posterior head margin by two-fifths of its length; promesonotum low, long, and arched; promesonotal groove present; metanotal groove distinct; propodeal spines small and thin; mesosoma punctate; body yellowish brown.   Description. Major workers.Measurements (n=10): HL: 1.56–1.73 (1.62); HW: 1.49–1.66 (1.55); SL: 1.04– 1.18 (1.11); EL: 0.16–0.21 (0.19); WL: 1.54–1.68 (1.6); PSL: 0.19–0.27 (0.24); MTL: 1.14–1.38 (1.24); PNW: 0.52–0.65 (0.59); PTW: 0.15–0.18 (0.16); PPW: 0.36–0.45 (0.4); CI: 101.9–106.7 (104.4); SI: 69.3–75.6 (71.4); PSLI: 11.9–15.9 (15.1); PPI: 36.6–45.6 (40.9); PNI: 34.8–41.1 (38.0); MTI: 74.5–87.9 (79.8).  Head.In full-face view sub-rectangular, not widening posteriorly, with lateral sides relatively straight ( Fig. 20B). In lateral view sub-oval, not depressed posteriorly; ventral and dorsal margins convex; inner hypostomal tooth visible. Side of head with dense, long, suberect to erect pilosity; head dorsum with relatively dense, long, suberect to erect pilosity. Medial frons with moderately dense and thick costulae; interspaces between costulae distinctly punctate. Frons laterally with thick and sparse rugae; interspaces between rugae distinctly punctate. Occipital lobes punctate, with sparse and sometimes weakly developed rugae. Gena with dense and moderately thick costulae; interspaces between costulae punctate. Sides posterolateral from eyes punctate and sometimes with additional network of thin and sparse rugulae. Center of clypeus shiny with weakly developed puncta, lateral sides with distinct rugulae; median notch present, moderately wide, and shallow; median longitudinal carina present; lateral longitudinal carinae present. Scape, when laid back, exceeding the midlength of head by one-fifth of its length; pilosity subdecumbent to erect ( Fig. 20B, D). Inner hypostomal tooth distinct, small, and bulge-like, with top arching posteroventrally; outer hypostomal tooth lobe-like, moderately high, and wide, with top directed posteriorly; median tooth absent ( Fig. 27L). Mesosoma.In lateral view, promesonotum moderately long, angular, and very low; posterior mesonotum smoothly declining towards propodeum; mesonotal process weakly developed and tuberclelike; promesonotal groove absent; metanotal groove indistinct; propodeal spines moderately long with narrow base, and acute top; humeral tubercle weakly produced ( Fig. 20D). Surface punctate; lateral sides of pronotum, propodeum, and katepisternum with additional thin rugae. Pilosity dense, long, and erect ( Fig. 20D, F). Gaster.Shiny and indistinctly shagreened; pilosity moderately sparse, long, and erect ( Fig. 20D, F). Color.Yellowish brown to brown, antennae and legs usually brighter ( Fig. 20D, F).  Description. Minor workers.Measurements (n=10): HL: 0.73–0.82 (0.78); HW: 0.49–0.57 (0.53); SL: 1.03– 1.17 (1.12); EL: 0.13–0.15 (0.14); WL: 1.02–1.14 (1.07); PSL: 0.11–0.14 (0.13); MTL: 0.9–1.07 (0.99); PNW: 0.37–0.42 (0.39); PTW: 0.07–0.11 (0.08); PPW: 0.14–0.2 (0.17); CI: 141.8–149.8 (147.0); SI: 200.6–216.2 (209.8); PSLI: 14.9–17.9 (16.2); PPI: 44.7–54.0 (50.4); PNI: 68.8–75.7 (72.6); MTI: 164.2–198.3 (185.6).   FIGURE 20.  Pheidole oswaldi, full-face view (A), profile (C), and dorsal view (E) of minor worker (CASENT0275335) and full-face view (B), profile (D), and dorsal view (F) of major worker (CASENT0923266).  Head.In full-face view oval, posterior region slightly elongated; nuchal collar weakly developed ( Fig. 20A). Pilosity relatively sparse, moderately long, subdecumbent to erect. Sculpture punctate, gena mostly or entirely smooth. Clypeus with median longitudinal carina absent; two lateral longitudinal carinae absent. Scape, when laid back, exceeding the posterior head margin by two-fifths of its length; pilosity dense, subdecumbent to erect ( Fig. 20A, C). Mesosoma.In lateral view, promesonotum low, long, and arched; promesonotal groove present; metanotal groove distinct; propodeal spines small, thin, and triangular ( Fig. 20C). Sculpture punctate. Pilosity sparse, long, and erect ( Fig. 20C, E). Gaster.With sparse and erect pilosity ( Fig. 20C, E). Color.Yellowish brown ( Fig. 20C, E).   Biology.The species was collected between 3–1490 melevation, in rainforest, montane forest, littoral rainforest, montane rainforest, and montane shrubland. Nests were located in rotten logs, rotting tree stumps, and rotten sticks on the ground. Workers were collected from sifted litter, on low vegetation, and on tree trunks.   Comments.  Pheidole oswaldiis most similar to sympatric  P. decollata. Its major workers can be separated by moderately long, angular, and very low promesonotum and small inner hypostomal tooth. In contrast, majors of  P. decollatahave short, angular, and moderately low promesonotum and moderately large inner hypostomal tooth. Minors of  P. oswaldidiffer in slightly elongated posterior region of head and moderately long, angular, and very low promesonotum. Minor workers of  P. decollatahave posterior region of the head not elongated and the promesonotum is moderately long, moderately low, and angular. 3027954430 1889-09-28 MHNG Oswald Madagascar Toamasina 43 44 1 Toamasina lectotype 3027954778 1889-09-28 MHNG Oswald Madagascar Toamasina 43 44 3 Toamasina paralectotype 3027954320 [418,1260,1333,1360] MHNG Imerina & Sikora Madagascar 1 43 44 1 Toamasina paralectotype 3027954749 MHNG Imerina & Sikora Madagascar 43 44 1 Toamasina paralectotype 3027954549 CASC Madagascar Parc National de Ranomafana 1100 Fisher Vatoharanana River 43 44 3 Fianarantsoa 3027954458 CASC Madagascar 425 -15.67133 Fisher 1 49.97395 43 44 2 Toamasina 3027954453 CASC Madagascar 725 -18.4061 Fisher 5 48.82029 Ankerana 43 44 11 3027954736 CASC Madagascar 865 -18.40062 Fisher 1 48.81311 Ankerana 43 44 1 3027954537 [257,1049,1549,1576] CASC Madagascar 1108 -18.40636 Fisher 1 48.80254 Ankerana 43 44 8 3027954634 [1199,1203,1549,1575] CASC Fisher Madagascar 725 -18.4061 Ankerana 5 48.82029 43 44 1 3027954661 CASC Madagascar 681 -18.40672 Fisher 1 48.82281 Ankerana 43 44 1 3027954416 [395,399,1621,1647] CASC Fisher Madagascar 1108 -18.40636 Ankerana 1 48.80254 43 44 1 3027954662 CASC H. J. Ratsirarson Madagascar 530 -18.695 Andriantantely 55 48.81333 43 44 1 3027954445 CASC H. J. Ratsirarson Madagascar 450 -18.04833 Sandranantitra 1 49.09167 43 44 6 3027954783 CASC Madagascar 600 -15.28833 Fisher 1 49.54833 Montagne d'Akirindro 43 44 2 3027954376 CASC Madagascar Montagne d'Anjanaharibe -15.18833 Fisher 53 49.615 Ambinanitelo 43 44 26 3027954495 CASC Fisher Madagascar 1100 -15.17833 Montagne d'Anjanaharibe 53 49.635 43 44 1 3027954399 CASC Fisher Madagascar 3 -15.4973 Nosy Mangabe 5 49.76223 43 44 1 3027954412 CASC Madagascar 950 -17.73359 Fisher 1 48.72625 Parc National de Zahamena 43 44 1 3027954330 CASC Madagascar Parc National de Zahamena 860 -17.74298 Manakambahiny Rivers 1 48.72936 Nosivola 43 44 2 3027954566 CASC Madagascar Parc National Mananara-Nord 225 -16.455 Fisher 55 49.7875 Antanambe 43 44 1 3027954366 CASC Madagascar Res. Ambodiriana 125 -16.67233 Manompana river 1 49.70117 Manompana 43 44 2 3027954636 Madagascar Camp Rendrirendry Reserve Betampona 43 44 2 3027954556 [674,1380,2017,2043] CASC Fisher Madagascar 390 -17.924 Toamasina 55 49.19967 43 44 1 Toamasina 3027954586 Madagascar 44 45 Camp Vohitsivalana Reserve Betampona 43 44 2 3027954476 CASC Fisher Madagascar 520 -17.88667 Toamasina 5 49.2025 44 45 1 Toamasina 3027954447 [441,445,187,213] CASC Fisher Madagascar 360 -16.81753 Sandrangato river 1 49.29498 Reserve Speciale Ambatovaky 44 45 1 3027954740 CASC Madagascar Reserve Speciale Ambatovaky 1 -16.76912 Fisher 1 49.26704 Sandrangato river 44 45 3 3027954356 CASC Madagascar Reserve Speciale Ambatovaky 355 -16.77468 Fisher 1 49.26551 Sandrangato river 44 45 1 3027954361 CASC Madagascar Reserve Speciale Ambatovaky 520 -16.7633 Fisher 5 49.26692 Sandrangato river 44 45 2 3027954540 CASC Madagascar Reserve Speciale Ambatovaky 470 -16.7702 Fisher 5 49.26638 Sandrangato river 44 45 1 3027954459 CASC Madagascar Reserve Speciale Ambatovaky 430 -16.7755 Fisher 5 49.26427 Sandrangato river 44 45 1 3027954577 CASC Madagascar Reserve Speciale Ambatovaky 360 -16.81739 Fisher 1 49.29402 Sandrangato river 44 45 2 3027954721 CASC Madagascar Reserve Speciale Ambatovaky 400 -16.81745 Fisher 5 49.2925 Sandrangato river 44 45 5 3027954403 CASC Madagascar Reserve Speciale Ambatovaky 1 -16.80561 Fisher 1 49.29507 Sandrangato river 44 45 4