Pheidole kikutai

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Eguchi (2001) - P. kikutai is closely related to Pheidole maculifrons (known only from the Philippines), Pheidole rugifera, Pheidole clypeocornis, Pheidole tenebricosa and Pheidole hortensis, and all these share the characteristics noted under P. hortensis. P. kikutai is distinguishable from other Bornean species by its complete occipital carina of the minor.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines.

Nomenclature

 *  kikutai. Pheidole kikutai Eguchi, 2001b: 67, fig. 23 (s.w.) BORNEO.

Worker
Major (n=5): TL 2.5·2.6 mm, HL 1.10-1.16 mm, HW 1.07·1.13 mm, SL 0.56·0.58 mm, FL 0.68·0.73 mm, CI 94·97, SI 52-54, FI 63-68. Head broadest at about 2/3 distance of head (as measured from the mid-point of a transverse line spanning the anteriormost and posteriormost projecting points, respectively (cf. Fig. 2A))(Fig. 23A), in profile impressed on vertex (Fig. 23B). Hypostoma bearing a median process. Clypeus without a median longitudinal carina, with anterior margin weakly concave medially. Eye situated at about 1/3 distance of head; distance between mandibular insertion and anterior margin of eye 1.6-1.7 times as long as maximal diameter of eye. Frontal carina horizontal, extending backward to about 2/3-3/4 distance of head. Antenna1 scrobe narrowly overhung by frontal carina. Antenna with 3-segmented club; scape extending backward to 3/5-2/3 distance of head; terminal segment ca. 1.2 times as long as preceding two segments together. Masticatory margin of mandible with apical and preapical teeth, and two denticles in front of basal angle. Promesonotum forming a high dome, without a distinct prominence on its posterior declivity (Fig. 23C); each dorsolateral portion of the dome weakly produced outward. Mesopleuron divided by a weak transverse impression. Propodeal spine triangular or elongate-triangular, 2.5 times as long as diameter of propodeal spiracle. Petiole 1.4-1.5 times as long as postpetiole (excluding helcium); petiolar node in profile acute and in posterior view slightly emarginate at apex. Postpetiole 1.8·2.0 times as broad as petiolar node.

Frons longitudinally rugose, with smooth and shining interspaces; dorsal and dorsolateral faces of occipital lobe reticulate, with enclosures punctured very weakly but shining; outer face of mandible with rugulae only laterally near it base; dorsal face of promesonotal dome smooth and shining or very weakly punctured, with several transverse rugulae; a part of lateral face of promesonotum and lower part of mesopleuron smooth and shining; remainder of alitrunk punctured and duH; ventral faces of midcoxa and hindcoxa distinctly reticulate; lateral faces of petiole and postpetiole very weakly punctured; dorsa of petiole and postpetiole, and gaster smooth and shining. Outer face of mandible sparsely covered with appressed hairs, which are 0.02-0.03 mm in length and much shorter than distance between piligerous punctures; submarginal zone of masticatory margin of mandible with a row of longer hairs. Body yellowish-brown to brown, with darker gaster; legs lighter than alitrunk.

Minor Measurements and indices (n=6): TL 1.4-1.6 mm, HL 0.49-0.52 mm, HW 0.44-0.47 mm, SL 0.50-0.54 mm, AL 0.68-0.72 mm, FL 0.53-0.57 mm, CI 88-91, SI 112-118, FI 118-124. Head in full-face view oval; occipital carina low but complete (Fig. 23D). Clypeus occasionally with an inconspicuous median longitudinal carina, with anterior margin in full-face view slightly convex or truncate medially. Eye situated just in front of midlength of head; distance between mandibular insertion and anterior margin of eye ca. 0.9 times as long as maximal diameter of eye. Frontal carina and antennal scrobe present only around antennal insertion. Antenna with 3-segmented club; scape extending beyond posterior border of head by its 1/4 length; terminal segment 1.1-1.2 times as long as preceding two segments together. Promesonotum forming a gentle dome, with a pair of inconspicuous tubercles dorsolaterally, without any prominence on its posterior declivity (Fig. 23E). Mesopleuron without distinct transverse impression. Propodeal spine ca. 1.5 times as long as diameter of propodeal spiracle. Petiole ca. 1.4 times as long as postpetiole (excluding helcium). Postpetiole 1.8-2.0 times as broad as petiolar node.

Head including clypeus and promesonotum smooth and shining; remainder of alitrunk punctured; lateral face of petiole slightly punctured; dorsum of petiole, and postpetiole and gaster smooth and shining. Body yellowish-brown.

Type Material
Holotype Major, colony: 22B, Poring (ca. 900 m alt.), Sabah, E. Malaysia (Borneo), T. Kikuta leg., 1997, deposited in. Paratypes 2 majors and 3 minors from the same colony to which the holotype belongs, deposited in and UMS.