Pheidole ferruginea species group

Based on Salata & Fisher, 2020.

Species
Pheidole ferruginea complex
 * Pheidole ferruginea
 * Pheidole rugocephala
 * Pheidole vohemarensis
 * Pheidole manantenensis

Pheidole longipilosa complex
 * Pheidole longipilosa

Species Identification

 * Key to Pheidole ferruginea species group

Group Diagnosis
Major workers Head in full-face view cordate or sub-oval, widened posteriorly, in lateral view oval to sub-oval, ventral and dorsal faces strongly convex, dorsal face not depressed posteriorly; antennal scrobes developed, well delimited by carinulae (except Pheidole longipilosa); occipital lobes with sparse and irregular rugoreticulation; promesonotum short, angular, and low to high; promesonotal and metanotal grooves absent; propodeal spines moderately long to long, with base wide or narrow; mesosoma predominately sculptured sometimes with smooth notches; first gastral tergite smooth or shagreened, at least on its basal part; body bright brown to brown.

Minor workers Whole head foveolate, sometimes with additional longitudinal rugae on frons; scape, when laid back, surpassing posterior head margin by one- to two-fifths of its length; promesonotum box-like or convex; propodeal spines short, moderately long or very long; promesonotal and metanotal grooves absent or present; mesosoma predominately foveolate, sometimes with additional rugae on mesosomal dorsum; body yellow to brown.

Distribution
Madagascar.

The Pheidole ferruginea complex (P. ferruginea, Pheidole rugocephala, Pheidole vohemarensis, and Pheidole manantenensis): Pheidole ferruginea is relatively common across the evergreen forest biome and is sympatric with the remaining three members of the complex. The distribution range of P. rugocephala, P. vohemarensis , and P. manantenensis is predominately limited to the Antsiranana prefecture. Pheidole rugocephala is known from the evergreen forest biome located between Toamasina and Andapa, while P. vohemarensis, known from the same biome, inhabits area between Ambinaelo and Antsirabe. Pheidole vohemarensis is known from area spread between Andapa and Antisianana and its distribution predominately covers the dry deciduous forest biome.

Pheidole longipilosa, the lone member of its eponymous species-complex, is known from Forêt Classée d’Analavelona and Parc National d’Isalo in the Toliara prefecture.

Additional Resources

 * Pheidole
 * Madagascar