Pheidole comata

This species inhabits well-developed forests in hill areas up to ca. 1100 malt, and sympatric with P. longipes in Poring (ca. 600 m alt.). A colony collected in Mahua Waterfall area (Egoo-BOR-101) nests in a fallen rotting log. (Eguchi 2001a)

Identification
Eguchi (2001a) - This species is closely related to Pheidole longipes and Pheidole montana, and all these are peculiar among Indo-Chinese and Indo-Malayan congeners in the following characteristics: antenna of both the subcastes lacking conspicuous club; posterior part of head of the minor forming elongate neck. The major of P. comata is distinguished from that of P. longipes by the following characteristics observed in the former: lateral face of head behind eye distinctly rugose; head bearing many standing hairs not only dorsally but also laterally; in profile dorsum of promesonotal dome in front of the prominence on its posterior declivity bearing ca. 20 or more standing hairs. This species is also well distinguished from P. montana in which propodeal spine is much longer and body is lighter in colour in both the subcastes.

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

Worker
Minor

Nomenclature

 *  comata. Pheidole comata Smith, F. 1858b: 176 (w.) BORNEO. Mayr, 1886c: 360 (s.). Senior synonym of multicoma: Eguchi, 2001a: 9. See also: Eguchi, 2001b: 45.
 * multicoma. Pheidole multicoma Eguchi, 1999: 100, figs. 6, 7 (s.w.) BORNEO. Junior synonym of comata: Eguchi, 2001a: 9.

Worker
Eguchi (2001a) - Major (n=9): TL 6.8-8.3 mm, HL 2.75-3.07 mm, HW 2.59-2.86 mm, SL 1.70-1.96 mm, FL 2.83-3.29 mm, CI 88-101, SI 60-75, FI 101-123. Head broadest at 3/5-3/4 distance of head (as measured from the mid-point of a transverse line spanning the anteriormost and posteriormost projecting points, respectively (cf. Fig. 2A)); posterior margin of head in full-face view with a median emargination from which a shallow longitudinal impression extends to midlength of head (Fig. 12A); head in profile not impressed on vertex (Fig. 12B). Hypostoma lacking median processes. Clypeus with a median longitudinal carina, with anterior margin hardly emarginate medially. Eye situated around 1/3 distance of head; distance between mandibular insertion and anterior margin of eye 1.5-1.8 times as long as maximal diameter of eye. Frontal carina and antennal scrobe present only around antennal insertion. Antenna without conspicuous club; scape extending backward to 7/10-3/4 distance of head. Masticatory margin of mandible with apical and preapical teeth, and a denticle in front of basal angle. Promesonotal dome with a distinct prominence on its posterior declivity (Fig. 12C); the prominence in anterior view not or very weakly concave medially. Mesopleuron with an indistinct transverse impression. Propodeal spine corniform, 2-3 times as long as diameter of propodeal spiracle. Petiole in profile cuneiform, 1.1-1.2 times as long as postpetiole, with ill-defined node of which apex is in posterior view weakly or very weakly concave. Postpetiole in dorsal view subpentagonal, 2.3-2.4 times as broad as petiole.

Frons and gena longitudinally rugose; vertex and dorsal and dorsolateral faces of occipital lobe rugoso-reticulate, with enclosures weakly punctured and weakly shining; lateral face of occipital lobe densely rugose and dull; promesonotal dome in dorsal view transversely rugose, with smooth and shining interspaces; mesopleuron and lateral face of propodeum weakly rugose with interspaces punctured very weakly, or lower part of mesopleuron largely smooth and shining; petiole (excluding smooth and shining anterodorsal face), postpetiole and first gastral tergite rugoso-punctured and dull. Head densely bearing standing hairs over the surface; outer face of mandible sparsely covered with appressed hairs, which are 0.03-0.10 mm in length and shorter than distance between piligerous punctures; submarginal zone of masticatory margin of mandible with longer decumbent hairs; dorsum of promesonotal dome in front of the prominence on its posterior declivity bearing ca. 20 or more standing hairs. Body dark reddish-brown to blackish-brown; flagella and legs lighter than alitrunk.

Minor (n=10): TL 4.1-5.1 mm, HL 1.23-1.44 mm, HW 0.75-0.93 mm, SL 1.88-2.21 mm, AL 1.73-2.01 mm, FL 2.33-2.83 mm, CI 61-65, SI 229-270, Fl289-337. At present it is impossible to separate this species from Pheidole longipes by any morphological characteristics in the minor.

Type Material
Eguchi (2001b) - Major. Sarawak, Borneo. One syntype (major, ) was examined.