Pheidole nodgii

Identification
Eguchi (2001) – Pheidole magrettii is doubtless closely related to Pheidole nodgii and Pheidole tjibodana. The differences between the examined specimens of P. magrettii and the type series of the two “forms” of P. nodgii are as follows: lateral surface of occipital lobe of the major largely smooth and shining in the former, while reticulate, with enclosures punctured and dull in the latter; propodeal spine 2.5 times as long as the diameter of propodeal spiracle in the major and 1.5 times in the minor in the former, while more than 3.5 times in both the subcastes in the latter.

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

Nomenclature

 *  nodgii. Pheidole nodgii Forel, 1905c: 16 (s.w.q.) INDONESIA (Java). Viehmeyer, 1916a: 119 (m.). [Misspelled as noggii by Wheeler, W.M. 1930h: 63.] Current subspecies: nominal plus verlatenensis. See also: Eguchi, 2001a: 18.

Worker
Eguchi (2001) - Major (lectotype) HL 1.18 mm; HW 1.10 mm; SL 0.59 mm; FL 0.68 mm; CI 93; SI 54; FI 62. Head with almost parallel sides (Fig. 10A); posterior margin of head in full-face view concave madially; head in profile slightly concave on vertex (Fig. 10B); anteroventral margin of cranium with a large median process. Clypeus without a median longitudinal carina. Eye situated at about 1/3 distance of head (from anterior margin of clypeus to posterior margin of occipital lobe). Frontal carina horizontally flanged, extending to 2/3 distance of head (Fig. 10A). Antennal scrobe deeply excavated under frontal carina. Antenna with 3-segmented club; terminal segment ca. 1.3 times as long as preceding two segments together. Masticatory margin of mandible with apical and preapical teeth, and an indistinct denticle in front of basal angle. Promesonotum forming a dome, only with a slight prominence on its posterior declivity (Fig. 10C); dorsal portion of the dome produced laterally. Mesopleuron without a transverse impression. Propodeal spine horn-like, slightly curved apically, 4 times as long as diameter of propodeal spiracle. Petiolar node apically blunt in profile, and slightly emarginate medially in posterior view. Postpetiole and gaster missing. Frons longitudinally rugose, and interspaces almost smooth and shining; dorsal and dorsolateral faces of occipital lobe, and area between antennal scrobe and eye reticulate, with enclosures weakly punctured and dull; lateral and ventrolateral faces of occipital lobe punctured and dull; antennal scrobe punctured and dull; promesonotum weakly reticulate dorsally, with enclosures punctured and dull; lower part of mesopleuron partly smooth and shining; the remainder of alitrunk punctured and dull; anterodorsal face of petiole smooth and shining; the remainder of petiole weakly punctured and less shining.

Minor (paralectotype). Measurements: HL 0.54 mm; HW 0.50 mm; SL 0.50 mm; AL 0.68 mm; FL 0.55 mm; CI 93; 51 100; FI 110. Head in full-face view slightly concave posteriorly (Fig. 10D); occipital carina evanescent dorsally on the head. Clypeus with a weak median longitudinal carina. Eyes narrow, situated just in front of the midlength of head. Frontal carina and antennal scrobe present only around antennal insertion. Antenna with 3-segmented club; in full-face view scape slightly extending beyond posterior border of head by its 1/6 length; terminal segment ca. 1.2 times as long as preceding two segments together. Promesonotum forming a dome, without a distinct prominence on its posterior declivity (Fig. 10E); dorsal portion of the dome slightly produced laterally. Mesopleuron without any transverse impression. Propodeal spine horn-like, straight, 4 times as long as diameter of propodeal spiracle. Petiole 1.3 times as long as postpetiole (excluding helcium); petiolar node distinct, in posterior view not emarginate at apex. Postpetiole in dorsal view subhexagonal, 1.8 times as broad as petiole. Head and alitrunk punctured; petiolar pedicel very weakly punctured but shining; the remainder of petiole, and postpetiole and gaster smooth and shining.