Pheidole gombakensis

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Eguchi (2001) - This species, together with the closest relative Pheidole poringensis, is similar to Pheidole rabo and Pheidole tsailuni among Indo-Chinese and Indo-Malay congeners, and is distinguished from P. poringensis by the characteristics noted under P. poringensis.

A single minor has been collected from Borneo, which well agrees with the paratype minor except body a little darker than that of the latter.

Distribution
Southern Malay Peninsula and Borneo.

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

Nomenclature

 *  gombakensis. Pheidole gombakensis Eguchi, 2001b: 57, fig. 18 (s.w.) WEST MALAYSIA.

Worker
Eguchi (2001) - The following description and measurements are based on the holotype and paratype.

Major (n=1): TL 2.2 mm, HL 0.91 mm, HW 0.78 mm, SL 0.39 mm, FL 0.49 mm, CI 86, SI 50, FI 63. Head broadest around its midlength; posterior margin of head in full-face view emarginate triangularly (Fig. 18A); head in profile not impressed on vertex (Fig. 18B). Hypostoma bearing a pair of large and stout median processes (Fig. 18C). Clypeus without a median longitudinal carina. Eye situated just in front of 1/3 distance of head (as measured from the mid-point of a transverse line spanning the anteriormost and posteriormost projecting points, respectively); distance between mandibular insertion and anterior margin of eye ca. 1.5 times as long as maximal diameter of eye. Frontal carina inconspicuous, extending backward to 1/3 distance of head. Antennal scrobe present only around antennal insertion. Antenna with 3-segmented club; scape extending backward to about midlength of head; terminal segment ca. 1.3 times as long as preceding two segments together. Masticatory margin of mandible with apical and preapical teeth, and a denticle in front of basal angle. Promesonotum forming a high dome, without a distinct prominence On its posterior declivity (Fig. 18D). Mesopleuron without a distinct transverse impression. Propodeal spine horn-like, with narrow base, ca. 2.5 times as long as diameter of propodeal spiracle. Petiole nearly twice as long as postpetiole (excluding helcium); petiolar node in posterior view not emarginate at apex. Postpetiole ca. 1.4 times as broad as petiolar node, angulate laterally.

Frons and gena longitudinally rugose; vertex, and dorsal and dorsolateral faces of occipital lobe reticulate; dorsum of promesonotum irregularly rugose, with smooth and shining enclosures; lateral face of promesonotum smooth and shining; mesopleuron and lateral face of propodeum weakly punctured and weakly shining; lateral faces of petiolar pedicel and postpetiole weakly punctured; dorsa of petiole and postpetiole, and gaster smooth and shining. Outer face of mandible covered with decumbent hairs, which are 0.06-0.08 mm in length and longer than distance between piligerous punctures. Body brown with lighter gaster; flagella yellowish-brown; legs slightly lighter than alitrunk.

Minor Measurements and indices (n=1): TL 1.3 mm, HL 0.42 mm, HW 0.38 mm, SL 0.36 mm, AL 0.53 mm, FL 0.38 mm, CI 90, SI 95, FI 100. Head in full-face view slightly concave posteriorly (Fig. 18E); occipital carina evanescent dorsally on head. Clypeus with an evanescent median longitudinal carina, with anterior margin in full-face view truncate medially. Eye situated just in front of midlength of head; distance between mandibular insertion and anterior margin of eye ca. 0.8 times as long as maximal diameter of eye. Frontal carina and antennal scrobe present only around antennal insertion. Antenna with 3-segmented club; scape slightly extending beyond posterior border of head; terminal segment ca. 1.3 times as long as preceding two segments together. Promesonotum forming a dome which is weakly margined dorsolaterally, its posterior declivity almost lacking a prominence (Fig. 18F). Mesopleuron without a transverse impression. Propodeal spine triangular, almost twice as long as diameter of propodeal spiracle. Petiole nearly twice as long as postpetiole (excluding helcium) (Fig. 18F); petiolar node high, in posterior view not emarginate at apex. Postpetiole ca. 1.3 times as broad as petiolar node.

Clypeus and anterior part of frons smooth and shining; remainder of dorsum of head above subocular level reticulate, with smooth and shining enclosures; ventral face of head below subocular level smooth and shining; promesonotum smooth and shining; remainder of alitrunk punctured and dull; lateral face of petiolar pedicel very weakly punctured; dorsum of petiole, and postpetiole and gaster smooth and shining. Body yellowish-brown.

Type Material
Holotype Major, colony: FI99-134, Ulu Gombak, W. Malaysia (Southern Malay Peninsula), F. Ito leg., 1999, deposited in. Paratype One minor from the same colony to which the holotype belongs, deposited in FRIM.