Pheidole mamirapiratra

The species was collected between 30–1325 m in elevation, in the rainforest, littoral rainforest, and montane rainforest. Nests were located in rotten logs and sticks on the ground, in soil, in rotting tree stumps, in the petiole of Melastomataceae, and dead branch above ground.

Identification
A member of the Pheidole fervens species group. Pheidole mamirapiratra is known from area spread between Cap Masoala in Antsiranana and Toamasina city, with a single additional record from Reserve Speciale Manombo in Fianarantsoa and is sympatric with Pheidole arivo and Pheidole mena. However, morphologically Pheidole mamirapiratra is most reminiscent of the introduced Pheidole indica. Majors of P. mamirapiratra can be separated from other members of the fervens group based on a dense network of microrugulae and additional sparse and thick costulae on antennal scrobe and sculptured margins posterolateral from eyes. Minors can be separated from P. mena based on punctate mesosoma, from P. arivo based on punctate katepisternum and indistinctly punctate head; from P. indica based on indistinctly punctate head and indistinctly sculptured promesonotum.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  Pheidole mamirapiratra Salata & Fisher, 2021: 18, figs. 2E, 3E, 4F, 4M, 5F, 5M, 10A–10F (w.s.) MADAGASCAR.

Type Material

 * HOLOTYPE: 1s., Madagascar, Toamasina, Parc National Mananara-Nord, 7.1 km 261˚ Antanambe, -16.455 49.7875, 225 m, 15-Nov-2005, rainforest, ex rotten log, B. L. Fisher et al. leg., BLF12590, CASENT0067219.
 * PARATYPE: 1w., the same data as holotype, CASENT0923268 ; 1w., 1s., the same locality as holotype., BLF12566, CASENT0066019 (PBZT); 1w., 1s., the same locality as holotype, BLF12578, CASENT0067502 ; 2w., 1s., 1m., the same locality as holotype, BLF12602, CASENT0067786, CASENT0067787 ; 1w., 1s., the same locality as holotype, BLF12629, CASENT0067780.