Pheidole lokitae

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Eguchi et al. (2016) - Distinction from Pheidole leloi: In the major, promesonotal dome with a conspicuous transverse ridge on its posterior slope; ventral face of petiole without a longitudinal carina. In the minor, propodeal spine extremely long; petiolar node in lateral view blunt at apex.

Eguchi (2001) - P. lokitae is closely related to Pheidole quadrensis, Pheidole quadricuspis, Pheidole sperata, Pheidole acantha and Pheidole spinicornis, and several undescribed species (see under P. quadrensis), and they are recognisable among Indo-Chinese and Indo-Malayan congeners by a combination of the following characteristics: promesonotum of both the subcastes armed with a pair of long and acute spines; hypostoma of the major bearing a pair of stout median processes. P. lokitae, P. quadricuspis, P. quadrensis, P. acantha and P. spinicornis are known from Borneo, and are distinguished from each other by the characters given in the key.

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

Worker
Minor

Nomenclature

 *  lokitae. Pheidole (Pheidol acanthinus) lokitae Forel, 1913k: 46, figs. L, M (s.w.q.m.) INDONESIA (Sumatra). See also: Eguchi, 2001b: 69.

Worker
Eguchi (2001) - Major (n=5): TL 6.0-6.3 mm, HL 2.55-2.74 mm, HW 2.79-2.91 mm, SL 1.46-1.54 mm, FL 2.15-2.21 mm, CI 106-110, SI 52-53, FI 76-79. Head broadest at about 3/5 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 weakly concave medially (Fig. 24A); head in profile at most very weakly impressed on vertex (Fig. 24B). Hypostoma with a pair of stout median processes. Clypeus with a median longitudinal carina, with anterior margin emarginate medially. Eye situated just behind 1/3 distance of head; distance between mandibular insertion and anterior margin of eye 2.0-2.1 times as long as maximal diameter of eye. Frontal carina inconspicuous, extending backward to about midlength of head. Antennal scrobe present only around antennal insertion. Antenna with 3-segmented club; scape reaching about 2/3 distance of head; terminal segment 0.8-0.9 times as long as preceding two segments together. Masticatory margin of mandible with apical and preapical teeth, and a denticle in front of basal angIe. Promesonotal dome with a pair of spines, with a conspicuous prominence on its posterior declivity (Fig. 24C); the prominence in anterior view not or very weakly concave medially. Mesopleuron without a conspicuous transverse impression. Propodeal spine long, ca. 6 times as long as diameter of propodeal spiracle, almost straight or downcurved, with narrow base (Fig. 24C). Petiole cuneiform, 1.4-1.5 times as long as postpetiole (excluding helcium); petiolar node in profile round and in posterior view emarginate at apex; subpetiolar process completely absent. Postpetiole 1.9-2.1 times as broad as petiolar node.

Anterior part of frons, and gena longitudinally rugose, with smooth and shining interspaces; posterior part of frons, vertex, and dorsal and lateral faces of occipital lobe reticulate, with smooth and shining enclosures; alitrunk irregularly rugoso-reticulate; petiole smooth and shining anterodorsally, weakly rugose and weakly shining posterodorsally, and punctured and dull laterally; postpetiole punctured and dull laterally, and transversely rugose dorsally; dorsum of gaster and anterior part of first gastral sternite distinctly rugoso-punctured and dull. Outer face of mandible sparsely covered with appressed hairs, which are 0.10-0.12 mm in length and shorter than distance between piligerous punctures; submarginal zone of masticatory margin of mandible with a row of longer and decumbent hairs. Body dark reddish-brown with darker mandibles and gaster; legs a little lighter than alitrunk.

Minor (n=5): TL 4.0-4.4 mm, HL 1.16-1.24 mm, HW 1.04-1.11 mm, SL 1.59-1.70 mm, AL 1.74-1.83 mm, FL 1.89·2.02 mm, CI 89-90, SI 153-155, FI 181-183. Head in full-face view oval (Fig. 24D); occipital carina distinct. Clypeus with a median longitudinal carina, with anterior margin in full-face view weakly convex medially. Eyes situated at about midlength of bead; distance between mandibular insertion and anterior margin of eye 1.1-1.2 times as long as maximal diameter of eye. Frontal carina and antennal scrobe present only around antennal insertion. Antenna with 3-segmented club; in full-face view scape extending beyond posterior border of head by more than its 1/3 length; terminal segment ca. 0.8 times as long as preceding two segments together. Promesonotum forming a dome with a pair of spine, with an inconspicuous prominence on its posterior declivity (Fig. 24E). Mesopleuron without a transverse impression. Propodeal spine long, 5-6 times as long as diameter of propodeal spiracle, almost straight or downcurved. Petiole in profile cuneiform, ca. 1.5 times as long as postpetiole (excluding helcium); petiolar node in posterior view weakly emarginate at apex; its posterior face usually margined dorsally and laterally. Postpetiole 2.1-2.3 times as broad as petiolar node.

Clypeus smooth and shining with several rugulae; remainder of head, and alitrunk reticulate; petiole weakly punctured laterally, smooth and shining anterodorsally, and very weakly punctured posterodorsally; postpetiole weakly punctured laterally and very weakly punctured dorsally; gaster smooth and shining. Body sparsely bearing standing hairs. Body dark reddish-brown with lighter mandibles; antennae and legs lighter than alitrunk.

Type Material
Eguchi (2001) - Major, minor, queen and male. Type locality: Sumatra. Nine syntypes (3 majors, 3 minors and 3 queens) were examined.