Pheidole ensifera species group

Based on Salata & Fisher, 2020.

Species

 * Pheidole ensifera
 * Pheidole ocypodea
 * Pheidole aelloea
 * Pheidole podargea

Species Identification

 * Key to Pheidole ensifera species group

Group Diagnosis
Major workers Head, in full face view, rectangular, in lateral view elongate and oval, ventral and dorsal faces slightly convex, dorsal face not depressed posteriorly; sides of the head with sparse, relatively long to long, suberect pilosity; antennal scrobes indistinct and not delimited by carinulae; scrobe surface shiny, with dense to sparse, fine, longitudinal to irregular rugulae; occipital lobes and genae smooth or with fine to thick, sparse rugoreticulation; frons with sparse, thick, and longitudinal rugae, sometimes rugae on posterior part of frons more irregular and directed outward; sculpture weakening posteriorly; inner and outer teeth closely spaced and connected by concavity; promesonotum short, angular, and relatively low to high; promesonotal and metanotal grooves absent; propodeal spines long to very long, thin; mesosoma with fine to thin, sparse to dense rugoreticulation, sculpture weakening on dorsum, sometimes propodeum with a smooth patch on its dorsal surface; gaster shagreened, at least at the basal part of first tergite; body reddish brown to dark brown. Minor workers Head smooth or finely rugo-punctuate, lateral sides of head sometimes finely rugulose to rugo-punctate; scape, when laid back, surpassing posterior head margin by one- to two-fifths of its length; promesonotum high, short and convex; propodeal spines very to moderately long; whole mesosoma rugo-punctate, or smooth to moderately foveolate with sometimes thicker and denser sculpture on lateral sides; body bright brown to dark brown.

Distribution
Madagascar. Northernmost part of the island (Antsiranana district); all species are sympatric.

Additional Resources

 * Pheidole
 * Madagascar