Pheidole petax species group

Based on Salata & Fisher, 2020.

Species
Pheidole ankerana complex Pheidole boribora complex Pheidole brevipilosa complex Pheidole mavesatra complex Pheidole petax complex
 * Pheidole ankerana
 * Pheidole vatovavensis
 * Pheidole boribora
 * Pheidole miramila
 * Pheidole brevipilosa
 * Pheidole glabra
 * Pheidole mavesatra
 * Pheidole goavana
 * Pheidole petax

Species Identification

 * Key to Pheidole petax species group

Group Diagnosis
Major workers Head in full-face view rectangular or square (except P. boribora), anterior and posterior of eyes relatively straight, in lateral view sub-rectangular, ventral and dorsal faces finely convex or flat and dorsal face finely depressed posteriorly; antennal scrobes shallowly impressed and not delimited (except P. ankerana complex); occipital lobes with thick, sparse, irregular rugae; frons with thick, sparse to moderately sparse, longitudinal rugae; antennal scrobes with finely foveolate interspaces (except P. glabra sp. nov. and P. ankerana complex); promesonotum relatively low and angular; propodeal spines small to moderately long, with wide base; body yellowish brown to black.

Minor workers Head foveolate, sometimes with few additional rugae; genae and frons sometimes with smooth notches; scape short, when laid back, surpassing the posterior head margin by one- to two-fifths of its length; promesonotum slightly convex, with relatively steep posterior declivity; mesosoma foveolate, sometimes with smooth notches on the lateral sides; propodeal spines minute to relatively long, triangular or narrow; body yellow to yellowish brown (except P. brevipilosa complex).

Distribution
Madagascar.

Pheidole ankerana complex: Pheidole ankerana is known from two localities, Ankerana and Parc National de Zahamena, Toamasina. Pheidole vatovavensis is so far recorded only from Forêt Classée Vatovavy, Fianarantsoa.

Pheidole boribora complex: Pheidole boribora was discovered in Parc National d’Andohahela, Toliara and P. miramila in Ambalavao, Fianarantsoa. Both species are known only from their type localities.

Pheidole brevipilosa complex: Pheidole brevipilosa is known from two localities, Réserve Spéciale Marotandrano, Mahajanga and Forêt de Petriky, Toliara. Pheidole glabra is known from the area surrounding Tolagnaro, Toliara.

Pheidole mavesatra complex: Distributed in the northern part of the island. Pheidole mavesatra is only known from its type locality (Tampolo, Toamasina) and P. goavana is distributed exclusively in Antsiranana prefecture, in an area spread between Ambalabe and Antisiranana.

Pheidole petax, the only member of its complex, is common across the evergreen forests and central highlands. It is sympatric with all members of the group.

Additional Resources

 * Pheidole
 * Madagascar