Pheidole longipes

This species inhabits well-developed forests, and nests in rotting fallen logs on the forest floor. (Eguchi 2001)

Identification
Eguchi (2001) - This species is closely related to Pheidole comata and Pheidole montana, and these three are peculiar among Indo-Chinese and Indo-Malayan congeners in the characteristics noted under P. comata. This species is distinguished from related species by the characteristics noted under P. comata and P. montana.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia. Neotropical Region: French Guiana. Oriental Region: India, Nicobar Island, Thailand.

Nomenclature

 *  longipes. Formica longipes Latreille, 1802c: 233, pl. 11, fig. 68 (w.) FRENCH GUIANA. Combination in Pheidole: Emery, 1921a: 25.

Worker
Eguchi (2001) - Major (n=32): TL 6.8-7.9 mm, HL 2.38-3.03 mm, HW 2.05-2.73 mm, SL 1.50-2.08 mm, FL 2.33-3.35 mm, Cl 84-98, Sl 63-96, FI 98-152. Head broadest at 2/3-3/4 distance of head (as measured from the mid-point of a transverse line spanning the anteriormost and posteriormost projecting points, respectively) posterior margin of head in full-face view with a median emargination from which a shallow longitudinal impression extends to midlength of head (Fig. 25A); head in profile not impressed on vertex (Fig. 25B). Hypostoma bearing an inconspicuous median process, or lacking median processes. Clypeus with a median longitudinal carina, with anterior margin hardly emarginate medially. Eye situated around 1/3 distance of head; distance between mandibular insertion and anterior margin of eye 1.5-1.7 times as long as maximal diameter of eye. Frontal carina and antennal scrobe present only around antennal insertion. Antenna without conspicuous club; scape extending backward to 2/3-9/10 distance of head. Masticatory margin of mandible with apical and preapical teeth, and a denticle in front of basal angle. Promesonotal dome with a distinct prominence on its posterior declivity (Fig. 25C); the prominence in anterior view not or very weakly concave medially. Mesopleuron with an indistinct transverse impression. Propodeal spine corniform, 2.5-3 times as long as diameter of propodeal spiracle. Petiole in profile cuneiform, 1.0-1.1 times as long as postpetiole, with ill-defined node of which apex in posterior view is distinctly concave. Postpetiole in dorsal view subpentagonal, 2.0-2.2 times as broad as petiole.

Frons and gena longitudinally rugose; fine longitudinal rugulae curving outward on occipital lobes; lateral face of occipital lobe finely and weakly rugose with punctured interspaces, or smooth and shining over the surface; median portion of dorsolateral face of head rugoso-reticulate with enclosures punctured and dull; promesonotal dome smooth and shining, or in dorsal view weakly transversely rugose, with smooth and shining interspaces; remainder of alitrunk weakly punctured and smooth and shining partly, or weakly rugoso-reticulate, with punctured and dull enclosures; petiole (excluding smooth and shining anterodorsal face), postpetiole and first gastral tergite punctured and dull. Head in profile sparsely bearing standing hairs dorsally, and in full-face view bearing appressed pubescence, but lacking standing hairs (sometimes sparsely with them only on lateral face of occipital lobe) (Fig. 25A); outer face of mandible sparsely covered with appressed hairs, which are 0.03-0.06 mm in length and much shorter than distance between piligerous hairs; submarginal zone of masticatory margin of mandible with a row of longer decumbent hairs; in profile dorsum of promesonotal dome in front of the prominence on its posterior declivity bearing less than 10 standing hairs (Fig. 25C). Body reddish-brown to dark reddish-brown; flagella and legs lighter than alitrunk.

Minor (n=62): TL 4.1-5.1 mm, HL 1.04-1.54 mm, HW 0.66-0.93 mm, SL 1.67-2.38 mm, AL 1.50-2.11 mm, FL 2.10-3.04 mm, CI 58-70, SI 196-293, FI 247-372. Head in full-face view narrowed and prolonged behind eyes; occipital carina forming a distinct flange (Fig. 250, E). Clypeus sometimes with a longitudinal median carina, with anterior margin slightly convex or truncate medially. Eye situated at about 4/9 distance of head (as measured from anterior margin of clypeus to occipital carina); distance between mandibular insertion and anterior margin of eye 0.9-1.0 times as long as maximal diameter of eye. Antenna without conspicuous club (Fig. 25F), but 8th segment 1.3-1.4 times as long as 7th. Promesonotal dome with a distinct prominence on its posterior declivity (Fig. 25G). Mesopleuron without distinct transverse impression. Propodeal spine 2-2.5 times as long as diameter of propodeal spiracle. Petiole in profile cuneiform, with ill-defined node, 0.9-1.0 times as long as postpetiole. Postpetiole 2.0-2.3 times as broad as petiole, in dorsal view distinctly longer than broad, gently narrowed forward in its anterior 2/3.

Clypeus smooth and shining, or slightly punctured and with several rugulae; remainder of head and promesonotal dome smooth and shining; mesopleuron and lateral face of propodeum punctured (occasionally smooth and shining partly); lateral faces of petiole and postpetiole weakly punctured; dorsa of petiole and postpetiole, and gaster smooth and shining. Body brown to dark brown (rarely light brown); legs lighter than alitrunk.

Type Material
Eguchi (2001) - Minor. Type locality: Singapore. One syntype (minor) was examined.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Franco W., N. Ladino, J. H. C. Delabie, A. Dejean, J. Orivel, M. Fichaux, S. Groc, M. Leponce, and R. M. Feitosa. 2019. First checklist of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of French Guiana. Zootaxa 4674(5): 509-543.