Pheidole soesilae

Makhan (2007) described this species based on a single major worker. Bolton (unpublished) considered it a dubious species poorly described from a single major, with the two images of the type suggesting that it is a junior synonym of Pheidole fimbriata. Longino (2019) supported Bolton's view, finding that the images of the holotype major are conspecific with the highly distinctive species Pheidole fimbriata. However, Markhan (2021) states that this species shows an oval head, with short carinae around the eyes and longer carinae on the dorsal view, while P. fimbriata has an elongated head, with long carinae around the eyes and longer carinae on the dorsal and lateral view. In addition, the petiole & mesosoma differ between these species (but no specific details were provided). Makhan provides images of the holotypes of both species, but does not discuss the variation found within P. fimbriata, making the intrepation of the observed differences between the two imaged specimens difficult to access. As a result the taxonomic status of P. soesilae remains uncertain.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Suriname.

Nomenclature

 * . Pheidole soesilae Makhan, 2007d: 1, figs. 1, 2 (s.) SURINAM.
 * Junior synonym of fimbriata: Longino, 2019: 35.
 * Status as species: Makhan, 2021: 7.

Worker
(holotype major): Length 8.2 mm. Colour dark-brown. Total head length 3.7 mm, width 3.0 mm. Entire head carinulate, mandible length 0.7 mm. Eyes small. Antennae dark-brown, scape with short hairs. Mesosoma length 2.0 mm, width 1.1 mm, with short hairs. Petiole length 0.3 mm, width 0.5 mm. Postpetiole length 0.5 mm, width 0.7 mm. Gaster length 2.2 mm, width 2.1 mm, with short hairs.

Etymology
This species is named after my wife, Soesila Makhan.