Pheidole poringensis

This species seems to inhabits well-developed forests.

Identification
Eguchi (2001) - This species, together with Pheidole gombakensis, is very similar to Pheidole rabo and Pheidole tsailuni among Indo-Chinese and Indo-Malayan congeners, but in the latter two mandible is sparsely covered with very short appressed hairs in the major, and head including c1ypeus is punctured in the minor. The closest relative of this species is probably P. gombakensis, but in the latter petiole is almost twice as long as postpetiole in both the subcastes, and promesonotum is smooth and shining in the minor.

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

Nomenclature

 *  poringensis. Pheidole poringensis Eguchi, 2001b: 94, fig. 37 (s.w.q.) BORNEO.

Worker
Major (n=5): TL 2.6-2.8 mm, HL 1.30-1.37 mm, HW 1.18-1.22 mm, SL 0.60-0.61 mm, FL 0.72-0.75 mm, CI 88-91, SI 50-51, PI 61-62. Head broadest at around its midlength (Fig. 37A); head in profile not impressed on vertex (Fig. 37B). Hypostoma bearing three median processes, of which medianmost one is very low and lateral two are large and stout. Clypeus without a median longitudinal carina, with anterior margin weakly concave medially. Eye situated just in front of 1/3 distance of head (as measured from the mid-point of a transverse line spanning the anteriormost and posteriormost projecting points, respectively (cf. Fig. 2A)); distance between mandibular insertion and anterior margin of eye 2.0-2.1 times as long as maximal diameter of eye. Frontal carina and antennal scrobe present only around antennal insertion. Antenna with 3-segmented club; scape reaching about midlength of head; terminal segment 1.1-1.2 times as long as preceding two segments together. Masticatory margin of mandible with apical and preapical teeth, and a denticle in front of basal angle. Promesonotum forming a high dome, with an inconspicuous prominence on its posterior declivity (Fig. 37C); each dorsolateral portion of the dome weakly produced outward. Mesopleuron with a transverse impression (sometimes inconspicuous). Propodeal spine horn-like, slightly curved, 4-5 times as long as diameter of propodeal spiracle. Petiole 1.3-1.4 times as long as postpetiole (excluding helcium); petiolar node in posterior view not emarginate at apex. Postpetiole 2.1-2.2 times as broad as petiolar node.

Frons and gena longitudinally rugose; vertex rugoso-reticulate; dorsal and lateral faces of occipital lobe reticulate; alitrunk reticulate; petiole (excluding its smooth and shining anterodorsal face) and lateral face of postpetiole punctured; dorsum of postpetiole, and gaster smooth and shining. Outer face of mandible covered with decumbent hairs, which are 0.06-0.10 mm in length and longer than distance between piligerous punctures (Fig. 37 A). Body brown with lighter waist and gaster; antennae and legs a little lighter than alitrunk.

Minor (n=5): TL 1.5-1.6 mm, HL 0.54-0.56 mm, HW 0.51-0.52 mm, SL 0.50-0.51 mm, AL 0.70-0.73 mm, FL 0.52-0.55 mm, CI 93-95, SI 96-98, FI 102-106. Head in full-face view slightly concave posteriorly (Fig. 370); occipital carina evanescent dorsally on head. Clypeus with a weak median longitudinal carina, with anterior margin in full-face view slightly convex medially. Eye situated just in front of midlength of head; distance between mandibular insertion and anterior margin of eye ca. 1.1 times as long as maximal diameter of eye. Frontal carina inconspicuous, extending backward to midlength of head. Antennal scrobe present only around antennal insertion. Antenna with 3-segmented club; in full-face view scape extending beyond posterior border of head by its 1/7 length; terminal segment 1.1-1.2 times as long as preceding two segments together. Promesonotal dome with a pair of low tubercles, with an inconspicuous prominence on its posterior declivity (Fig. 37E). Mesopleuron without a distinct transverse impression. Propodeal spine horn-like, ca. 4.5 times as long as diameter of propodeal spiracle. Petiole 1.3-1.4 times as long as postpetiole (excluding helcium); petiolar node in posterior view not emarginate at apex. Postpetiole in dorsal view subhexagonal, 1.8-1.9 times as broad as petiolar node.

Clypeus smooth and shining; remainder of dorsal and lateral faces of head reticulate, with smooth and shining enclosures; dorsal face of promesonotum reticulate, with very weakly punctured enclosures; remainder of alitrunk punctured and dull; lateral face of petiolar pedicel weakly punctured; petiolar node, postpetiole and gaster smooth and shining. Body yellowish-brown with a little lighter waist and gaster; antennae and legs a little lighter than alitrunk.

Type Material
Holotype Major, colony: 6X2906-B-Ea, Poring (ca. 600 malt.), Sabah, E. Malaysia (Bomeo), T. Kikuta leg., 1996, deposited in. Paratypes 1 major, 4 minors and 1 queen from the same colony to which the holotype belongs, deposited in and UMS.