Pheidole arivo

The species was collected between 10–1250 m in elevation, in the rainforest, montane rainforest, tropical forest, dwarf littoral forest, montane forest, tropical dry forest and grassland. Nests were located in rotten logs, under stones and dead twigs above ground. Worker were collected from sifted litter.

Identification
A member of the Pheidole fervens species group. Pheidole arivo is one of the most common members of the fervens group distributed in Antsiranana and the eastern part of the island. Its distribution overlaps with Pheidole mena, Pheidole mamirapiratra and Pheidole indica. Majors of P. arivo can be easily separated based on smooth sides posterolateral from eyes and distinct mesonotal process. Minors can be separated from P. mena based on the presence of puncta on mesosoma (minors of P. mena have mesosoma rugulate), and from P. mamirapiratra, and P. indica based on steep posterior mesonotum and entirely or mostly smooth katepisternum. In contrast, minors of P. mamirapiratra and P. indica have less steep posterior mesonotum and sculptured katepisternum.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  Pheidole arivo Salata & Fisher, 2021: 11, figs. 2B, 3B, 4B, 4I, 5B, 5I, 7A–7F (w.s.) MADAGASCAR.

Type Material

 * HOLOTYPE: 1s., Madagascar, Toamasina, Corridor Forestier Analamay-Mantadia, Ambohibolakely, -18.77898 48.36375, 918 m, 25-Nov-2012, rainforest, ex rotten log, B. L. Fisher et al. leg., BLF29805, CASENT0923263.
 * PARATYPES: 1w., data the same as holotype, CASENT0300266 ; 1w., the same locality as holotype, ex dead twig above ground, BLF29802, CASENT0300263 (PBZT); 1w., 1s., the same locality as holotype, BLF29813, CASENT0300267.