Pheidole zavamanira

The species was collected between 1050–1100 m in elevation, in montane rainforest. Nests were located in rotten logs.

Identification
Salata and Fisher (2020) - A member of the Pheidole zavamanira complex in the Pheidole masoala species group. Major: Head in full-face view oval, relatively as long as wide, anterior and posterior of eyes moderately convex; sides of the head with sparse, short, erect pilosity; genae shiny, with dense and thin rugulae, central part smooth; inner hypostomal teeth distinct, closely spaced, moderately low, triangular, with rounded apex directed inward; outer hypostomal teeth thinner and higher than inner hypostomal teeth, dentate, and with relatively wide base; propodeal spines moderately long; first gastral tergite finely shagreened; body bright brown. Minor: Head foveolate; frons with a few indistinct, short, longitudinal rugulae; promesonotum low, convex, moderately long, with posterior declivity steep; propodeal spines short; mesosoma foveolate; body dark yellow.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Worker
Minor

Major

Nomenclature

 *  zavamanira. Pheidole zavamanira Salata & Fisher, 2020: 226, figs. 83A–F, 85A, B, 88L (w.) MADAGASCAR.

Worker
Major (N = 4): HL: 1.4-1.52 (1.46); HW: 1.26-1.33 (1.3); SL: 0.54-0.58 (0.57); EL: 0.15-0.17 (0.16); WL: 0.92-0.97 (0.94); PSL: 0.19-0.23 (0.2); MTL: 0.56-0.58 (0.57); PNW: 0.65-0.72 (0.67); PTW: 0.15-0.19 (0.18); PPW: 0.55-0.66 (0.58); CI: 87.8-90.4 (88.9); SI: 42.1-44.3 (43.6); PSLI: 12.9-15.1 (13.8); PPI: 27.8-33.4 (30.3); PNI: 49.1-54.3 (51.5); MTI: 43.2 -45.2 (44.2). Head. In full-face view oval, anterior and posterior of eyes moderately convex. In lateral view sub-rectangular; ventral and dorsal faces relatively flat; dorsal face not depressed posteriorly; inner hypostomal teeth visible. Sides of the head with sparse, short, erect pilosity; whole head with sparse, long, suberect to erect pilosity. Antennal scrobes absent; lateral sides of head shiny, foveolate with a few thin, irregular to longitudinal short rugae. Occipital lobes shiny, with fine and sparse foveolae and sparse, thick, irregular rugae, foveolae fading posteriorly; frons on the anterior part with sparse, thick, and longitudinal rugae, interspaces smooth, and posterior part with rugae thinner and more irregular, interspaces foveolate; genae shiny, with dense and thin rugulae, central part smooth; malar area with thin, longitudinal, dense rugoreticulation. Centre of clypeus shiny with indistinct longitudinal rugulae, lateral sides with longitudinal rugae; median notch present, moderately wide, and shallow; median longitudinal carina present; lateral longitudinal carinae present. Scape, when laid back, reaching the midlength of head; pilosity suberect to erect. Inner hypostomal teeth distinct, closely spaced, moderately low, triangular, with rounded apex directed inward; outer hypostomal teeth thinner and higher then inner hypostomal teeth, dentate, and with relatively wide base. Mesosoma. In lateral view, promesonotum moderately low and arched, posterior mesonotum steep, without tubercle-like projections; promesonotal groove absent; metanotal groove absent; propodeal spines moderately long, triangular, with rounded apex and wide base; humeral area laterally well produced. Surface shiny, with fine and dense foveolae; promesonotal dorsum with additional indistinct, irregular, short rugulae; katepisternum smooth. Pilosity sparse, long, and erect. Petiole. Shiny and with fine foveolae; peduncle short, with indistinct horizontal lobes on its basal part; node relatively high, triangular, with rounded apex, in rear view node slightly convex; pilosity moderately sparse and erect. Postpetiole. Shiny, finely shagreened; in dorsal view sides with long, acute, and triangular projections; pilosity long, moderately sparse, and erect. Petiole. Shiny, first gastral tergite finely shagreened; pilosity moderately sparse, long, and erect. Colour. Unicolourous, bright brown; lower part of frons and malar area brighter that the rest of head.

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: 0.49-0.52 (0.51); HW: 0.46-0.48 (0.47); SL: 0.47-0.49 (0.48); EL: 0.09-0.11 (0.1); WL: 0.54-0.59 (0.57); PSL: 0.09-0.11 (0.1); MTL: 0.36-0.38 (0.37); PNW: 0.3-0.32 (0.31); PTW: 0.06-0.08 (0.07); PPW: 0.12-0.14 (0.13); CI: 89.9-94.5 (92.0); SI: 98.9-105.8 (103.0); PSLI: 16.7-22.8 (19.6); PPI: 50.0-60.7 (54.6); PNI: 64.2-69.0 (66.8); MTI: 76.2-80.6 (78.6). Head. Occipital margin straight or indistinctly concave; occipital carina absent. Pilosity moderately sparse, moderately long, suberect to erect. Head foveolate; frons with a few indistinct, short, longitudinal rugulae. Clypeus with fine and fading foveolae; median longitudinal carina present; two lateral longitudinal carinae present. Scape, when laid back, surpassing the posterior head margin by two-fifths of its length; pilosity suberect. Mesosoma. In lateral view, promesonotum low, convex, moderately long, with posterior declivity steep; promesonotal groove absent; metanotal groove distinct; propodeal spines short, triangular, with acute apex. Sculpture foveolate. Pilosity moderately sparse, long, and erect. Petiole. Peduncle short and thin with ventral face slightly convex; with few short, erect setae. Postpetiole. Short, low, and convex; with few short, erect setae. Petiole. With sparse, erect pilosity. Colour. Smoky yellow; lower part of frons, malar area and lateral sides of mesosoma yellow.

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; Toliara; Réserve Spéciale d’Ambohijanahary, Forêt d’Ankazotsihitafototra, 35.2 km 312°NW Ambaravaranala; -18.26667, 45.40667; alt. 1050 m; 13 Jan 2003; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; BLF07069, CASENT0485886, bottom specimen. Paratypes. Madagascar. •11w., 1s.; same data as for holotype; CASENT0872081, CASENT0485887-CASENT0485890, CASENT0872198-CASENT0872203 (CASC).

Etymology
Malagasy for plants, in reference to nesting habits of this species.