Pheidole curvistriata

The species was collected between 530–1150 m in elevation, in rainforest and montane rainforest. Nests were located in rotten logs, twigs, and stumps.

Identification
A member of the Pheidole curvistriata species group.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Worker
Minor

Major

Nomenclature

 *  curvistriata. Pheidole curvistriata Salata & Fisher, 2020: 140, figs. 52A–F, 84L, 86L (w.) MADAGASCAR.

Worker
Major (N = 10): HL: 1.62-1.73 (1.67); HW: 1.49-1.64 (1.57); SL: 0.66-0.73 (0.69); EL: 0.17-0.2 (0.18); WL: 1.15-1.26 (1.18); PSL: 0.23-0.27 (0.25); MTL: 0.68-0.73 (0.7); PNW: 0.67-0.79 (0.73); PTW: 0.19-0.22 (0.21); PPW: 0.61-0.7 (0.65); CI: 91.6-95.7 (94.1); SI: 41.1-45.7 (43.8); PSLI: 13.8-15.8 (14.9); PPI: 29.1-34.7 (31.8); PNI: 44.7-48.7 (46.3); MTI: 42.7-45.7 (44.6). Head. In full-face view rectangular, slightly widening posteriorly, anterior of eyes relatively straight, posterior of eyes convex. In lateral view sub-rectangular; ventral and dorsal faces finely convex; dorsal face finely depressed posteriorly, forming indistinct transverse depression between frons and occipital lobes; inner hypostomal teeth invisible. Sides of the head with dense, relatively long, erect pilosity; whole head with dense, moderately long, suberect to erect pilosity. Antennal scrobes indistinct and not delimited by carinulae. Occipital lobes shiny, with thick, sparse, irregular rugae, interspaces superficially rugulae; frons with thick, sparse, longitudinal rugae, interspaces smooth to indistinctly rugulose; lateral sides of head with fine, irregularly rugoreticulate, interspaces finely foveolate; malar area with dense and thin longitudinal or irregular rugulae; genae with fine, thin, moderately dense to dense rugulae. Clypeus shiny and smooth, with thin, longitudinal rugulae on lateral sides; median notch present, narrow and moderately deep; median longitudinal carina absent; lateral longitudinal carinae absent. Scape, when laid back, reaching midlength of head; pilosity decumbent to erect. Inner hypostomal teeth distinct, moderately high, thick, and triangular, with rounded apex; outer hypostomal teeth thinner but higher, with rounded tips, and wide base; inner and outer teeth closely spaced and connected by indistinct concavity. Mesosoma. In lateral view, promesonotum short, angular, and relatively low, posterior mesonotum steep, with small tubercle-like projections; promesonotal groove absent; metanotal groove absent or indistinct; propodeal spines moderately long, narrow, with base slightly wider than top, apex rounded; humeral area with small and flat tubercles. Surface shiny, finely rugoreticulate, katepisternum and lower anepisternum smooth, lateral sides of propodeum with few thick, longitudinal rugae. Pilosity moderately sparse, long, and erect. Petiole. Shiny, finely foveolate; peduncle short, with small, rounded, horizontal lobes on its basal part; node moderately high and narrow, with convex apex, in rear view node relatively straight; pilosity moderately dense and erect. Postpetiole. Shiny, with fine and sparse foveolae; short and rounded; in dorsal view sides with relatively long, triangular projections; pilosity long, moderately dense, and erect. Petiole. First gastral tergite shiny and finely shagreened; pilosity dense, moderately long, and erect. Colour. Unicolourous, brown; legs dark yellow.

Unless otherwise noted above, the following characters occur in this species, and the majority of Pheidole majors of Madagascar described by Salata and Fisher 2020a. Antennal sockets shallow; frontal lobes absent; head in full-face view with distinct median concavity; antenna 12-segmented, with 3-segmented club; masticatory margin of mandible with large, stout apical and preapical teeth, followed by a long diastema and then a short and crenulate tooth just before the rounded basal angle; outer surface of mandible mostly smooth and shining, sometimes with weak and sparse foveolae; antennal scrobes present; promesonotum strongly convex, well above the level of propodeum; postpetiole short with slightly convex dorsum; ventral process absent.

Minor (N = 10): HL: 0.62-0.68 (0.66); HW: 0.53-0.63 (0.6); SL: 0.6-0.67 (0.64); EL: 0.1-0.13 (0.12); WL: 0.74-0.84 (0. 8); PSL: 0.12-0.13 (0.12); MTL: 0.49-0.55 (0.52); PNW: 0.38-0.44 (0.42); PTW: 0.07-0.09 (0.08); PPW: 0.13-0.19 (0.15); CI: 86.1-94.5 (90.6); SI: 105.5-112.8 (108.6); PSLI: 17.8-19.2 (18.6); PPI: 47.8-56.5 (52.2); PNI: 68.9-72.7 (70.8); MTI: 85.6-91.9 (87.6). Head. Occipital margin straight or indistinctly concave; occipital carina indistinct, weakly developed. Pilosity moderately dense, long, erect. Whole head foveolate, thick, sparse and longitudinal rugae overlie foveolate sculpture on frons and malar area; sparse, irregular to arcuate, thick rugae overlie foveolate sculpture on vertex. Clypeus shiny, foveolate to rugae; median longitudinal carina present; two lateral longitudinal carinae absent. Scape, when laid back, surpassing the posterior head margin by two-fifths of its length; pilosity erect. Mesosoma. In lateral view, promesonotum low, short, flat or slightly convex, with steep posterior declivity; promesonotal groove absent; metanotal groove absent or indistinct; propodeal spines short, triangular, apex acute. Sculpture foveolate, with sparse, thick, and irregular rugae overlying foveolae, katepisternum smooth. Pilosity moderately sparse, long, and erect. Petiole. Peduncle moderately short and thin; with few long, erect setae. Postpetiole. Short, low, and slightly convex; with few short, erect setae. Petiole. With sparse, erect pilosity. Colour. Unicolourous, yellowish brown to brown.

Unless otherwise noted above, the following characters occur in this species, and the majority of Pheidole minors of Madagascar described by Salata and Fisher 2020a. Antennal sockets shallow; frontal lobes absent; head in full-face view oval, posterior and anterior of eyes convex; antenna 12-segmented, with 3-segmented club; humeral area not developed; clypeus smooth and shiny; its anterior margin regularly convex; promesonotum well above the level of propodeum; petiole smooth; petiole with node moderately low, triangular and small postpetiole smooth; gaster smooth and shiny.

Type Material
Holotype. Madagascar. 1 major worker; Fianarantsoa; Parc National de Ranomafana, Sahamalaotra River, 6.6 km 310°NW Ranomafana; -21.23667, 47.39667; alt. 1150 m; 31 Mar 2003; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; BLF08623, CASENT0492904, top specimen. Paratypes. Madagascar. 9 w., 8s.; same data as for holotype; CASENT0492900-CASENT0492903, CASENT0872240, CASENT0492905, CASENT0872174-CASENT0872184 (CASC).

Etymology
Latin for arcuate rugae, in reference to head sculpture in minor workers.