Key to Pheidole curvistriata species group

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This worker key is based on: Salata, S. and B.L. Fisher. 2020a. Pheidole Westwood, 1839 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of Madagascar – an introduction and a taxonomic revision of eleven species groups. ZooKeys. 905:1–235. doi:10.3897/zookeys.905.39592

Major workers of this group are extremely similar and sometimes the key features overlap. Therefore, we recommend using minor workers, which possess more distinct and stable morphological characters, for species determination within this group.

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Salata and Fisher 2020a. Figure 50. Major workers. Pheidole curvistriata, head (A), profile (I), hypostomal teeth (E). Pheidole moramanaensis, head (B), profile (J), hypostomal teeth (F). Pheidole makirovana, head (C), profile (K), hypostomal teeth (G). Pheidole mantadia, head (D), profile (L), hypostomal teeth (H).
Salata and Fisher 2020a. Figure 51. Minor workers. Pheidole curvistriata, head (A), profile (E), dorsal view of mesosoma (I). Pheidole moramanaensis, head (B), profile (F), dorsal view of mesosoma (J). Pheidole makirovana, head (C), profile (G), dorsal view of mesosoma (K). Pheidole mantadia, head (D), profile (H), dorsal view of mesosoma (L).
  • Major workers. Frons with sparse, thick, longitudinal rugae with smooth to indistinctly rugulose interspaces; mesosoma with rugulae and sometimes indistinct foveolae, outer hypostomal teeth higher than inner hypostomal teeth but very narrow (Fig. 50A, I, E). Minor workers. Rugae on upper part of frons distinct and never curved outward, mesonotum never smooth (Fig. 51A, E, I) . . . . . Pheidole curvistriata
  • Major workers. Frons with longitudinal rugae denser, with interspaces smooth to distinctly rugo-foveolate or foveolate; mesosoma foveolate and sometimes with indistinct rugulae, outer hypostomal teeth higher than inner hypostomal teeth but wide (Fig. 50B–D, F–H, J–L). Minor workers. Rugae on upper part of frons indistinct or distinct and curved outward, mesonotum smooth (Fig. 51B–D, F–H, J–L) . . . . . 2

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  • Major workers. Frons and mesosoma with interspaces finely rugo-foveolate (Fig. 50C, K). Minor workers. Rugae on upper part of frons curved outward, mesosoma always with thick rugae, propodeal spines longer (Fig. 51C, G, K) . . . . . Pheidole makirovana
  • Major workers. Frons and mesosoma with fine foveolae (Fig. 50B, D, J, L). Minor workers. Rugae on upper part of frons never curved outward, propodeal spines shorter, mesosoma never with thick rugae (Fig. 51B, D, F, H, J, L) . . . . . 3

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  • Major workers. Sides of head with sparse and short pilosity, inner hypostomal teeth very low (Fig. 50D, H). Minor workers. Clypeus foveolate to rugoreticulate, rugae on head very indistinct (Fig. 51D) . . . . . Pheidole mantadia
  • Major workers. Sides of head with dense and long pilosity, inner hypostomal teeth higher (Fig. 50B, F). Minor workers. Clypeus smooth, rugae on head distinct but thin (Fig. 51B) . . . . . Pheidole moramanaensis
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