Pheidole podargea

The species was collected between 210–800 m in elevation, in rainforest and tropical dry forest. Nests were located in rotten logs.

Identification
Salata and Fisher (2020) - A member of the Pheidole ensifera species group. Major. Body size moderate: HL: 1.85-2.0 (1.9), HW: 1.55-1.65 (1.59), WL: 1.19-1.35 (1.26); propodeal spines very long (PSL: 0.39-0.46 (0.42)); head in full-face view rectangular, with lateral sides relatively straight, only their posteriormost part slightly convex; sides of the head with moderately dense, moderately long, erect pilosity; occipital lobes shiny, with sparse and thick rugoreticulation; inner hypostomal teeth distinct, closely spaced, triangular, with rounded apex; outer hypostomal teeth distinct, as high as inner hypostomal teeth, lobe-like, with base wide and tops directed slightly inward; inner and outer teeth closely spaced and connected by concavity. Minor:. Body size moderate: HL: 0.61-0.7 (0.66), HW: 0.62-0.69 (0.65), WL: 0.81-0.9 (0.86); propodeal spines very long (PSL: 0.25-0.31 (0.28)); scape, when laid back, surpassing posterior head margin by two-fifths of its length; whole head with fine and dense rugo-punctuation, only basal area of frons and genae with sculpture reduced or sometimes absent; mesosoma rugo-punctate, sometimes sculpture weakening on dorsal surface and pronotum.

This species is most similar to Pheidole aelloea and Pheidole ocypodea. Major workers. Pheidole podargea can be distinguished from P. aelloea and P.  ocypodea by outer hypostomal teeth approximately the same size as the inner ones and lack of smooth sculpture on genae and propodeum. Minor workers. Pheidole podargea can be distinguished from P. aelloea and P.  ocypodea by smooth area limited to basal area of frons and genae or the whole head finely rugo-punctate, presence of promesonotal and metanotal groove, and absence of smooth surfaces on mesosoma.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  podargea. Pheidole podargea Salata & Fisher, 2020: 85, figs. 33A–F, 85R, 88B (w.) MADAGASCAR.

Worker
Major (N = 10): HL: 1.85-2.0 (1.9); HW: 1.55-1.65 (1.59); SL: 0.67-0.76 (0.72); EL: 0.16-0.2 (0.17); WL: 1.19-1.35 (1.26); PSL: 0.39-0.46 (0.42); MTL: 0.7-0.76 (0.73); PNW: 0.71-0.81 (0.76); PTW: 0.15-0.22 (0.19); PPW: 0.59-0.71 (0.66); CI: 80.1-87.6 (83.4); SI: 42.6-47.7 (45.6); PSLI: 20.9-24.4 (21.8); PPI: 25.4-32.7 (29.1); PNI: 45.5-51.0 (48.2); MTI: 42.6-48.8 (46.4). Head. In full-face view rectangular, with lateral sides relatively straight, only their posteriormost part slightly convex. In lateral view oval; ventral and dorsal faces convex; inner hypostomal teeth visible. Sides of the head with moderately dense, moderately long, erect pilosity. Antennal scrobes indistinct and not delimited by carinulae. Occipital lobes shiny, with sparse and thick rugoreticulation; genae shiny, with moderately dense to dense, fine rugoreticulation; frons with longitudinal, sparse to moderately sparse rugae, on posterior part of frons rugae directed outward and more irregular, interspaces with sparse rugulae, sometimes indistinct; malar area and lateral sides of head shiny, with longitudinal rugoreticulation, surface between rugae with sparse and indistinct rugulae. Centre of clypeus smooth and shiny or with fine longitudinal rugulae, lateral sides with longitudinal rugae; median notch present, wide, and shallow; median longitudinal carina present but sometimes indistinct; lateral longitudinal carinae absent. Scape, when laid back, reaching midlength of head; pilosity suberect to erect. Inner hypostomal teeth distinct, closely spaced, triangular, with rounded apex; outer hypostomal teeth distinct, as high as inner hypostomal teeth, lobe-like, with base wide and tops directed slightly inward; inner and outer teeth closely spaced and connected by concavity. Mesosoma. In lateral view, promesonotum short, angular, and high, with slightly convex posterior declivity; promesonotal groove absent; metanotal groove absent; propodeal spines very long, massive basally, with acute apex; humeral area laterally weakly produced. Surface shiny, with fine, dense rugoreticulation, sometimes sculpture weakening on dorsum. Pilosity sparse, long, and erect. Petiole. Shagreened; peduncle relatively long, with small tooth-like horizontal lobes on its basal part; node triangular, with rounded apex, in rear view node convex; pilosity moderately sparse and erect. Postpetiole. Shagreened; in dorsal view sides with acute, horn-like, moderately long projections; pilosity long, moderately sparse, and erect. Petiole. First gastral tergite shagreened, at least on its basal part; pilosity moderately dense, long, and erect. Colour. Unicolourous, ocherous to reddish-brown.

Unless otherwise noted above, the following characters occur in this species, and the majority of Pheidole majors of Madagascar described by Salata and Fisher 2020a. Antennal sockets shallow; frontal lobes absent; head in full-face view with distinct median concavity; antenna 12-segmented, with 3-segmented club; masticatory margin of mandible with large, stout apical and preapical teeth, followed by a long diastema and then a short and crenulate tooth just before the rounded basal angle; outer surface of mandible mostly smooth and shining, sometimes with weak and sparse foveolae; antennal scrobes present; promesonotum strongly convex, well above the level of propodeum; postpetiole short with slightly convex dorsum; ventral process absent.

Minor (N = 10): HL: 0.61-0.7 (0.66); HW: 0.62-0.69 (0.65); SL: 0.63-0.7 (0.67); EL: 0.11-0.12 (0.11); WL: 0.81-0.9 (0.86); PSL: 0.25-0.31 (0.28); MTL: 0.49-0.58 (0.53); PNW: 0.39-0.45 (0.43); PTW: 0.09-0.11 (0.1); PPW: 0.17-0.21 (0.19); CI: 94.3-100.7 (97.2); SI: 97.5-107.9 (103.1); PSLI: 38.8-44.3 (41.7); PPI: 46.9-56.9 (51.6); PNI: 63.4-69.7 (66.2); MTI: 78.4-85.0 (82.3). Head. In full-face view square, posterior of eyes slightly convex, anterior of eyes relatively straight, occipital margin straight or indistinctly convex; occipital carina indistinct, weakly developed. Pilosity moderately dense, long, and erect. Whole head with fine and dense rugo-punctuation, only basal area of frons and genae with sculpture reduced or sometimes absent; antennal sockets with dense carinae curved outward. Clypeus with median longitudinal carina present; two lateral longitudinal carinae absent. Scape, when laid back, surpassing posterior head margin by two-fifths of its length; pilosity suberect to erect. Mesosoma. In lateral view, promesonotum high, short, and convex; promesonotal groove present, indistinct; metanotal groove shallow and indistinct; propodeal spines very long, massive basally, with acute apex. Whole surface rugo-punctate, sometimes sculpture weakening on dorsal surface and pronotum. Pilosity sparse, long, and erect. Petiole. Peduncle relatively long and thin; node low, triangular; with few long, erect setae. Postpetiole. Short, low, and slightly convex; with few long, erect setae at the anterior edge. Petiole. With few long, erect setae. Colour. Unicolourous, bright brown to brown.

Unless otherwise noted above, the following characters occur in this species, and the majority of Pheidole minors of Madagascar described by Salata and Fisher 2020a. Antennal sockets shallow; frontal lobes absent; head in full-face view oval, posterior and anterior of eyes convex; antenna 12-segmented, with 3-segmented club; humeral area not developed; clypeus smooth and shiny; its anterior margin regularly convex; promesonotum well above the level of propodeum; petiole smooth; petiole with node moderately low, triangular and small postpetiole smooth; gaster smooth and shiny.

Type Material
Holotype. Madagascar. 1 major worker; Antsiranana; Forêt d’ Andavakoera, 21.4 km 75°ENE Ambilobe; 4.6 km 356°N Betsiaka; -13.11833, 49.23; alt. 425 m; 16 Dec 2003; B.L. Fisher leg.; BLF10317, CASENT0487570, middle specimen on the pin. Paratypes. Madagascar. 9w., 8s.; same data as for holotype; CASENT0487566, CASENT0872085, CASENT0487569, CASENT0487568, CASENT0487567 (CASC).

Etymology
Named after Podarge, a harpy from Greek mythology, in reference to long and sharp propodeal spines of minor workers reminiscent of claws.