Pheidole elisae

This species inhabits well-developed forests in lowlands and hill areas, and usually nests in rotting wood. (Eguchi 2001a)

Identification
Eguchi (2001a) - P. elisae is closely related to Pheidole sauberi, Pheidole sarawakana and Pheidole tandjongensis. They are recognised among Indo-Chinese and Indo-Malayan congeners by a combination of the following characteristics: petiolar node highly prominent dorsally in both the subcastes; lower part of mesopleuron margined dorsally in both the subcastes; hypostoma of the major with a pair of median processes. Three of the four species, i.e., P. elisae, P. sauberi and P. sarawakana, are sympatric in Poring and Danum Valley, Borneo. In P. sauberi majors dorsum of head is completely covered with longitudinal rugulae; and in P. sarawakana eye is smaller in both the subcastes (4-5 ommatidia present on longest axis of eye in the major, and four ommatidia in the minor). The difference between P. elisae and P. sarawakana in the number of ommatidia is, however, less distinct in Sumatra.

Median processes on hypostoma frequently poorly developed in majors collected from Sumatra.

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

Nomenclature

 *  elisae. Pheidole elisae Emery, 1900d: 686 (s.) INDONESIA (Engano I.). Senior synonym of nenia: Eguchi, 2001b: 49.
 * nenia. Pheidole elisae var. nenia Forel, 1913k: 30 (s.w.) INDONESIA (Sumatra). Junior synonym of elisae: Eguchi, 2001b: 49.

Worker
Eguchi (2001a) - Major. (n::5): TL 2.5-2.7 mm, HL 1.24-1.35 mm, HW 1.24-1.35 mm, SL 0.55-0.58 mm, FL 0.44-0.82 mm, CI 88-91, SI 48-50, FI 66-70. Head broadest at about 2/3 distance of head (as measured from the mid-point of a transverse line spanning the anteriormost and posteriormost projecting points, respectively (cf. Fig. 2A)) (Fig. 14A), in profile not impressed on vertex (Fig. 14B). Hypostoma bearing a pair of small median processes. Clypeus without a median longitudinal carina, with anterior margin distinctly emarginate medially. Eye situated at about 1/3 distance of head; distance between mandibular insertion and anterior margin of eye 1.5-1.7 times as long as maximal diameter of eye; eight ommatidia present on longest axis of eye. Frontal carina inconspicuous, extending backward to 3/5-2/3 distance of head. Antennal scrobe present only around antennal insertion. Antenna with 3-segmented club; antennal scape slightly extending beyond midlength of head; terminal segment 1.1-1.2 times as long as preceding two segments together. Masticatory margin of mandible with apical and pre apical teeth, without a conspicuous denticle in front of basal angle. Promesonotum forming a high dome, without a prominence on its posterior declivity (Fig. 14C); each dorsolateral portion of the dome not produced outward. Mesopleuron divided by a transverse impression into two parts, of which lower part is distinctly margined dorsally. Propodeal spine elongate-triangular or horn-like, 2-2.5 times as long as diameter of propodeal spiracle. Petiole 1.9-2.0 times as long as postpetiole (excluding helcium); petiolar node high (Fig. 14C), in posterior view not emarginate at apex. Postpetiole high, 1.5-1.6 times as broad as petiolar node.

Dorsum of head, excluding occipital lobe longitudinally rugose, with smooth and shining interspaces; occipital lobe smooth and shining over the surface (Fig. 14A); promesonotum smooth and shining, with several weak rugulae dorsally; upper part of mesopleuron and lateral side of propodeum weakly rugoso-reticulate; lower part of mesopleuron largely smooth and shining; lateral face of petiole very weakly punctured; dorsum of petiole, and postpetiole and gaster smooth and shining. Outer face of mandible sparsely covered with short appressed to decumbent hairs, which are 0.05-0.07 mm in length and almost as long as, or shorter than, distance between piligerous punctures. Body yellowish-brown or brown, with darker gaster (in majors collected in Merimbun and Belalong mandible, clypeus and dorsum of alitrunk and gaster are darker than the other part of body); flagella and legs sometimes a little lighter than alitrunk.

Minor. (n=5): TL 1.7-1.9 mm, HL 0.53-0.62 mm, HW 0.50-0.58 mm, SL 0.49-0.54 mm, AL 0.72-0.83 mm, FL 0.58-0.66 mm, CI 91-96, SI 93-98, FI 112-115. Head in full-face view almost flat posteriorly (Fig. 14D); occipital carina almost absent dorsally on head. Clypeus frequently with a weak 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. 0.9 times as long as maximal diameter of eye (Fig. 14E); 6-7 ommatidia present on longest axis of eye. Frontal carina and antennal scrobe present only around antennal insertion. Antenna with 3-segmented club; in full-face view scape extending beyond posterior border of head by its 1/6 length; terminal segment 1.1-1.2 times as long as preceding two segments together. Promesonotal dome without any prominence on its posterior declivity (Fig. 14F). Mesopleuron divided by a transverse impression into two parts, of which lower part is distinctly margined dorsally. Propodeal spine triangular, 1.5-2 times as long as diameter of propodeal spiracle. Petiole 1.9-2.0 times as long as postpetiole (excluding helcium); petiolar node high (Fig. 14F), in posterior view not emarginate at apex. Postpetiole high, 1.3-1.5 times as broad as petiolar node.

Clypeus smooth and shining; remainder of head largely smooth and shining, but sometimes with several evanescent rugulae on its dorsum; promesonotum smooth and shining; mesopleuron and lateral face of propodeum slightly punctured at least partly; petiole and postpetiole largely smooth and shining; gaster smooth and shining. Body brown with lighter alitrunk (or lateral face of alitrunk); antennae and legs sometimes a little lighter than alitrunk.

Type Material
Eguchi (2001b) - major; Bua-Bua, Engano. One syntype (major, ) was examined.