Pheidole ensifera Forel, 1897
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https://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.905.39592 |
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lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F4C766E4-633A-4103-9FFD-E952718F41FB |
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https://treatment.plazi.org/id/CACC66C5-0A58-C12C-B3DA-A96F111643E9 |
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Pheidole ensifera Forel, 1897 |
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Pheidole ensifera Forel, 1897 View in CoL Figs 30A-F View Figure 30 , 84O View Figure 84 , 86O View Figure 86
Type material.
Pheidole ensifera Forel, 1897: 197 (s.w.). Lectotype [designated here]: major worker (top specimen, CASENT0101780): Madagascar, Antsiranana, Nosy Be, coll. Voeltzkow (MHNG) [examined]. Paralectotypes: 1 major worker (CASENT0810540, bottom specimen, the same pin as lectotype) (MHNG) [examined], 2 minor workers (1 pin, CASENT0101650) (MHNG) [examined], 2 minor workers (1 pin, CASENT0923207) (MHNG) [examined], 3 major workers (1 pin, CASENT0923208) (MHNG) [examined], 3 major workers (1 pin, CASENT0923209) (MHNG) [examined]: the same data as lectotype.
Other material.
Madagascar. - Antsiranana: •130w., 28s.; Ampasindava, Forêt d’Ambilanivy, 3.9 km 181°S Ambaliha; -13.79861, 48.16167; alt. 600 m; 4 Mar 2001; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0044202, CASENT0044202, CASENT0406703, CASENT0420010, CASENT0420016, CASENT0420048, CASENT0420052, CASENT0420054, CASENT0420057, CASENT0420059, CASENT0427703, CASENT0427705, CASENT046136, CASENT0464031, CASENT0464033, CASENT0464037, CASENT0464039, CASENT0464041, CASENT0464045, CASENT0464049, CASENT0464050, CASENT0464052, CASENT0464055, CASENT0464056, CASENT0464057, CASENT0464061, CASENT0464063, CASENT0464064, CASENT0464066, CASENT0464071, CASENT0464075, CASENT0464080, CASENT0464081, CASENT0464083, CASENT0464088, CASENT0464091, CASENT0464095, CASENT0464099, CASENT0464102, CASENT0464104-CASENT0464107, CASENT0464113, CASENT0464115, CASENT0464119, CASENT0464121, CASENT0464124, CASENT0464127, CASENT0464129, CASENT0464132, CASENT0464141, CASENT0464142, CASENT0464145, CASENT0464146, CASENT0464149, CASENT0464150, CASENT0464151, CASENT0464153, CASENT0464154, CASENT0464155, CASENT0464158, CASENT0464170, CASENT0464176, CASENT0464178, CASENT0464180, CASENT0464182, CASENT0464183, CASENT0464185, CASENT0464186, CASENT0464189, CASENT0464190, CASENT0464192, CASENT0464194, CASENT0464196, CASENT0464200-CASENT0464203, CASENT0464207-CASENT0464212, CASENT0464214, CASENT0464215, CASENT0464219, CASENT0464222, CASENT0464223, CASENT0464224, CASENT0464231, CASENT0464234,, CASENT0464237, CASENT0464240, CASENT0464240, CASENT0464243, CASENT0464244, CASENT0464250, CASENT0464253-CASENT0464256, CASENT0464258, CASENT0464259, CASENT0464261, CASENT0464262, CASENT0464264, CASENT0464266, CASENT0464273, CASENT0464279, CASENT0464289, CASENT0464292, CASENT0464296, CASENT0464298, CASENT0464307, CASENT0464315, CASENT0464317, CASENT0464326, CASENT0464332, CASENT0464342, CASENT0464357, CASENT0464364, CASENT0464367, CASENT0464368, CASENT0464371, CASENT0464381, CASENT0464382, CASENT0464383, CASENT0464391, CASENT0464393, CASENT0464396, CASENT046439, CASENT0464400, CASENT0464402, CASENT0464403, CASENT0464405, CASENT0464411, CASENT0464412, CASENT0464413, CASENT0464413, CASENT0464414, CASENT0464415 (CASC). •3w., 2s.; Forêt d’ Andavakoera, 21.4 km 75°ENE Ambilobe; 4.6 km 356°N Betsiaka; -13.11833, 49.23; alt. 425 m; 15 Dec 2003; B.L. Fisher leg.; CASENT0044099, CASENT0044127, CASENT0044204, CASENT0044205 (CASC). •1w., 1s.; Galoko chain, Mont Galoko; -13.58745, 48.71419; alt. 380 m; 23 Feb 2013; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0303020 (CASC). •1w., 3s.; Galoko chain, Mont Galoko; -13.58487, 48.71818; alt. 520 m; 17 Feb 2013; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0298364, CASENT0305044, CASENT0305049 (CASC). •1w., 1s.; Galoko chain, Mont Kalabenono; -13.63999, 48.67374; alt. 498 m; 15 Oct 2013; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0370653 (CASC). •41w., 20s., 3q.; Nosy Be, Réserve Naturelle Intégrale de Lokobe, 6.3 km 112°ESE Hellville; -13.41933, 48.33117; alt. 30 m; 19 Mar 2001; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0403272, CASENT0421458, CASENT0427835, CASENT0427836, CASENT0427876, CASENT0427879, CASENT0427887, CASENT0462766, CASENT0462792, CASENT0462797, CASENT0462798, CASENT0462803, CASENT0462805, CASENT0462806, CASENT0462807, CASENT0462810, CASENT0462880, CASENT0462881, CASENT0462884, CASENT0462886-CASENT0462891, CASENT0462896, CASENT0462913, CASENT0462914, CASENT0462916, CASENT0462924, CASENT0462930, CASENT0462933-CASENT0462935, CASENT0462938-CASENT0462942, CASENT0462963, CASENT0462988-CASENT0462991, CASENT0462993, CASENT0463018-CASENT0463021, CASENT0463044, CASENT0463060, CASENT0463063, CASENT0463067, CASENT0463075, CASENT0463101, CASENT0463118, CASENT0466246, CASENT0466297, CASENT0466299 (CASC). •5w., 2s.; R.S. Manongarivo, 10.8 km 229°SW Antanambao; -13.96167, 48.43333; alt. 400 m; 8 Nov 1998; B.L. Fisher leg.; CASENT0198013, CASENT0198014, CASENT0198522, CASENT0198524 (CASC). •4w., 1s; R.S. Manongarivo, 12.8 km 228°SW Antanambao; -13.97667, 48.42333; alt. 780 m; 11 Oct 1998; B.L. Fisher leg.; CASENT0198015, CASENT0198521, CASENT0198523 (CASC). •1w., 1s.; Sakaramy; -12.44114, 49.23197; alt. 260 m; 12 May 2011; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0261332 (CASC). - Mahajanga: •6w., 2s.; Réserve Spéciale Marotandrano, Marotandrano 48.3 km S Mandritsara; -16.28322, 48.81443; alt. 865 m; 6 Dec 2007; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; CASENT0140640, CASENT0140643, CASENT0140667, CASENT0140672, CASENT0140682, CASENT0140685, CASENT0140687, CASENT0140692 (CASC).
Diagnosis.
Major workers. Body size moderate: HL: 1.63-1.74 (1.69), HW: 1.43-1.51 (1.46), WL: 1.05-1.2 (1.11); propodeal spines very long (PSL: 0.31-0.37 (0.34)); head in full-face view rectangular, with lateral sides relatively straight, only their posteriormost part slightly convex; sides of the head with sparse, long, suberect pilosity; occipital lobes shiny, smooth or with very fine and sparse rugoreticulation; inner hypostomal teeth distinct, closely spaced, lobe-like, with rounded apex and wide base; outer hypostomal teeth bigger and wider than inner hypostomal teeth, lobe-like, with tops directed outward; inner and outer teeth closely spaced and connected by concavity. Minor workers. Body size moderate: HL: 0.58-0.69 (0.63), HW: 0.56-0.67 (0.6), WL: 0.76-0.87 (0.8); propodeal spines long (PSL: 0.18-0.22 (0.2)); scape, when laid back, surpassing posterior head margin by one-fifth of its length; lateral sides of head and malar area shiny, smooth or with indistinct, sparse rugulae, sculpture weakening posteriorly; vertex, genae and frons smooth; mesosoma foveolate.
Redescription.
Major workers. Measurements (N = 10): HL: 1.63-1.74 (1.69); HW: 1.43-1.51 (1.46); SL: 0.67-0.73 (0.7); EL: 0.17-0.19 (0.18); WL: 1.05-1.2 (1.11); PSL: 0.31-0.37 (0.34); MTL: 0.66-0.71 (0.69); PNW: 0.58-0.67 (0.61); PTW: 0.15-0.19 (0.17); PPW: 0.46-0.54 (0.5); CI: 85.6-88.8 (87.0); SI: 46.5-50.1 (47.9); PSLI: 18.8-22.5 (20.4); PPI: 30.0-36.9 (34.1); PNI: 40.2-44.6 (41.7); MTI: 44.3-48.7 (47.2). Head. In full-face view rectangular, with lateral sides relatively straight, only their posteriormost part slightly convex (Fig. 30B View Figure 30 ). In lateral view elongate and oval; ventral and dorsal faces slightly convex; inner hypostomal teeth visible. Sides of the head with sparse, long, suberect pilosity; whole head with moderately sparse, long, suberect to erect pilosity. Antennal scrobes indistinct and not delimited; scrobe surface shiny, with dense to sparse, fine, longitudinal to irregular rugulae. Occipital lobes and genae shiny, smooth or with very fine and sparse rugoreticulation; frons with sparse, thick, and longitudinal rugae, interspaces with very fine and sparse rugulae, sculpture weakening posteriorly; malar area with sparse to moderately sparse, thick, and longitudinal rugae, interspaces with fine and dense rugulae. Centre of clypeus smooth and shiny, lateral sides with longitudinal rugae; median notch present, narrow and shallow to moderate; median longitudinal carina absent; lateral longitudinal carinae absent. Scape, when laid back, slightly surpass the midlength of head; pilosity decumbent to erect (Fig. 30B, D View Figure 30 ). Inner hypostomal teeth distinct, closely spaced, lobe-like, with rounded apex and wide base; outer hypostomal teeth bigger and wider than inner hypostomal teeth, lobe-like, with tops directed outward; inner and outer teeth closely spaced and connected by concavity (Fig. 84O View Figure 84 ). Mesosoma. In lateral view, promesonotum short, angular and relatively low, posterior mesonotum convex, with low tubercle-like projection; promesonotal groove absent; metanotal groove absent; propodeal spines long, thin, massive basally, with acute apex; humeral area laterally weakly produced (Fig. 30D View Figure 30 ). Surface shiny, with fine to thin, dense rugoreticulation, sculpture weakening on dorsum, sometimes propodeum with smooth patch on its dorsal surface. Pilosity sparse, long, and erect (Fig. 30D, F View Figure 30 ). Petiole. Shiny; peduncle shagreened, long, without horizontal lobes on its basal part; node smooth, low, and thick, triangular, with rounded apex, in rear view node slightly convex; pilosity sparse and erect (Fig. 30D, F View Figure 30 ). Postpetiole. Shagreened; in dorsal view sides with short, acute, and triangular projections; pilosity long, sparse and erect (Fig. 30D, F View Figure 30 ). Petiole. Shagreened, most often on the whole surface; pilosity moderately sparse, long, and erect (Fig. 30D, F View Figure 30 ). Colour. Unicolourous, reddish brown to dark brown, malar area and lower parts of frons with colouration brighter that the rest of the body (Fig. 30D, F View Figure 30 ).
Minor workers. Measurements (N = 10): HL: 0.58-0.69 (0.63); HW: 0.56-0.67 (0.6); SL: 0.6-0.67 (0.63); EL: 0.1-0.12 (0.11); WL: 0.76-0.87 (0.8); PSL: 0.18-0.22 (0.2); MTL: 0.46-0.52 (0.49); PNW: 0.37-0.44 (0.39); PTW: 0.08-0.12 (0.09); PPW: 0.13-0.18 (0.14); CI: 92.5-100.9 (95.4); SI: 101.4-107.1 (104.5); PSLI: 29.0-34.1 (31.4); PPI: 56.3-67.0 (61.2); PNI: 63.0-67.6 (65.2); MTI: 79.2-83.2 (81.7). Head. Occipital margin straight or indistinctly concave; occipital carina indistinct, weakly developed (Fig. 30A View Figure 30 ). Pilosity moderately dense, long, suberect to erect. Lateral sides of head and malar area shiny, smooth or with indistinct, sparse rugulae, sculpture weakening posteriorly; vertex, genae, and frons smooth; antennal sockets with sparse, sometimes interrupted carinae curved outward. Clypeus with median longitudinal carina absent; two lateral longitudinal carinae present. Scape, when laid back, surpassing posterior head margin by one-fifth of its length; pilosity suberect to erect (Fig. 30A, C View Figure 30 ). Mesosoma. In lateral view, promesonotum convex; promesonotal groove absent; metanotal groove indistinct; propodeal spines moderately long, massive basally, with acute apex (Fig. 30C View Figure 30 ). Pronotum and mesonotum with fine to moderately dense foveolate, sometimes foveolae weakening on the dorsal surface; katepisternum, anepisternum, and propodeum with thicker and denser foveolae. Pilosity moderately sparse, long and erect (Fig. 30C, E View Figure 30 ). Petiole. Shiny; peduncle rugulae relatively long and thin; node smooth, relatively high, triangular; with few long, erect setae (Fig. 30C, E View Figure 30 ). Postpetiole. With indistinct rugulae; short and convex; with few long, erect setae at the anterior edge (Fig. 30C, E View Figure 30 ). Petiole. With sparse and erect setae (Fig. 30C, E View Figure 30 ). Colour. Unicolourous, brown to dark brown (Fig. 30C, E View Figure 30 ).
Biology.
The species was collected between 30-1343 m in elevation, in littoral and tropical dry rainforest and in-transition humid forest. Nests were located in litter (leaf mould, rotten wood), rotten logs and branches on the ground, and rotting tree stumps.
Comments.
Major workers. Pheidole ensifera differs from other members of the group in shiny and smooth to finely rugoreticulate occipital lobes and genae and relatively low and short promesonotum. Minor workers. Pheidole ensifera differs from other members of the group in surface of pronotum and mesonotum never smooth and with fine to moderately dense foveolae.
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
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