Pheidole terraceensis

The type material was collected from a soil nest.

Identification
Bharti (2001) - P. terraceensis is somewhat allied to Pheidole malinsii; but can be easily separated as; propodeum transversely rugose and punctate in P. terraceensis; but smooth and shining in malinsii; petiole without spine on appendage in P. terraceensis; with spine in malinsii: gaster finely punctate all over in R. terraceensis; longitudinally striate only on basal half in malinsii,· head punctured, reticulate in minor of P. terraceensis; but smooth in malinsii: scape extending beyond the top of head by more than half of its length in P. terraccensis (minor): but by one fourth in malinsii.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 *  terraceensis. Pheidole terraceensis Bharti, 2001: 243, figs. 1-5 (s.w.) INDIA.

Worker
Holotype Major. Length: 6 mm; Head length 1.7 mm: Head width: 1.6 mm; Scape length: I .63 mm; Scape index: 98.39; Eye diameter: 0.29 mm; Pronotal width: 0.93 mm; Al itrunk length: 2 mm; Cephalic index: 103 .7: Mandibular index: 41.66.

Head: Almost as long as broad, slightly converging below eyes; transverse depress ion below vertex: mandibles with two apical teeth; antennal club formed by 3 apical joints. which are much longer than preceding joints: antennal scrobes well developed reaching up to length of scape: scape falls l/5th short or its length of head; eyes lateral, placed below mid-line of head; frontal carinae covering bases of antennae diverging posteriorly extending feebly up to upper margin of eyes; clypeus with anterior margin incised in middle, dentate, posterior margin extending in between frontal carinae: lateral margin of clypeus with pit in front of antennal insertions; clypeus with strong carina in middle; a pit or depression present above clypeal carina; small tubercle precedes this pit towards irons; whole of head rugulose, area between rugae and in scrobes finely punctate: mandibles finely punctured; covered with long hair all over.

Alitrunk, Petiole, and Postpetiole: Pronotum with small lateral tubercles, convex: promesonotal suture indistinct; mesonotum with transverse ridge: metanotal groove broad and shallow; propodeum below the level of pro-mesonotum; propodea( spines with acute apex, long, erect: lateral side of propodeum with longitudinal depression, below spiracle; petiole with small triangular appendage anteriorly; petiole rectangular seen from front, anterior margin diverging dentate, upper margin notched with indistinct emargination; postpetiole oval, with blunt lateral margins, broader than long (2: 1); petiole and postpetiole, l:2; whole of alitrunk transversely rugose, area between rugae finely punctate; propodeal declivity with indistinct rugae, punctate; petiole with few transverse rugae at upper margin, punctate; post-petiole finely punctate; alitrunk, petiole, post-petiole, legs with fine long hairs.

Gaster: Oval, finely punctured from base to apex; covered with hairs. Head and gaster dark reddish brown; head with a light reddish spot at anterior margin below eyes extending towards clypeus; alitrunk, petiole, post-petiole light reddish brown; mandibles reddish; antennae, legs pale yellowish red.

Paratype Minor: Length: 3.33 mm; Head length 0.58 mm; Head width: 0.66 mm; Scape length: 1 mm; Scape index: 151.51; Eye diameter: 0.18 mm; Pronotal width: 0.49 mm; Alitrunk length: 1.33 mm; Cephalic index: 113.7.

Head oval; mandibles with 3rd tooth smaller than 4th; scape long, extending well beyond the top of head by more than half of its length; eyes placed above the mid-line of head; pronotum with distinct truncate impression; tubercles distinct: propodeal spines like major, but smaller; petiole without appendage; head with rugae between eyes and frontal carinae; propodeum with transverse rugae at anterior margin; head, alitrunk, petiole, postpetiole finely punctured: head and gaster black; alitrunk, petiole, post-petiole yellowish-brown, antennae pale yellow, mandibles light brown; covered with long hairs; rest like major.

Type Material
Holotype: Worker (Major): India, Terrace, Himachal Pradesh; 412 Mtrs, 5.VL2001; Bharti, H. Paratypes: 5 majors, 10 minors with same data as of holotype.

Etymology
Species is named after its type locality, Terrace, Himachal Pradesh.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bharti H. 2001. Two new species of Pheidole Westwood (Myrmicinae: Formicidae: Hymenoptera) from India. Journal of Entomological Research (New Delhi) 25: 243-247.