Pheidole soesilae, Makhan, D., 2007

Makhan, D., 2007, Pheidole soesilae sp. nov. from Suriname (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)., Calodema Supplementary Paper 59, pp. 1-2 : 1

Pheidole soesilae sp. nov. (Figs. 1-2)

Holotype: major worker, Suriname, Mt. Kasikasima, 27.3.1996, coll. D. Makhan (only the holotype).

Description (holotype major worker): Length 8.2 mm. Colour dark-brown. Total head length 3.7 mm, width 3.0 mm. Entire head carinulate, mandible length 0.7 mm. Eyes small. Antennae dark-brown, scape with short hairs. Mesosoma length 2.0 mm, width 1.1 mm, with short hairs. Petiole length 0.3 mm, width 0.5 mm. Postpetiole length 0.5 mm, width 0.7 mm. Gaster length 2.2 mm, width 2.1 mm, with short hairs.

Etymology: This species is named after my wife, Soesila Makhan.

Remarks: Pheidole soesilae sp. nov. is very similar to Pheidole arcifera (Santschi, 1925) from Brazil, but there is a difference in the shape of the carinulae on the lateral side of the head. All carinulae in Pheidole arcifera Santschi are broken shaped, while the whole length of the carinulae in Pheidole soesilae sp. nov. is unbroken.