Pheidole selathorax

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Zhou (2001) - Resembles Pheidole ryukyuensis, but differs from the latter in pronotum and mesonotum smooth and shining, humeral corners of pronotum prominent, and base of the first gastral segment densely reticultate.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China.

Nomenclature

 *  selathorax. Pheidole selathorax Zhou, 2001b: 125, 235, figs. 230-232 (s.w.) CHINA.

Worker
Holotype soldier: TL 4.2, HL 1.28, HW 1.10, CI 85, SL 0.63, SI 57, PW 0.50, AL 0.97, ED 0.15.

Head longer than broad, occipital border shallowly concave, median sulcus of head deep. Clypeus flat, anterior border with a shallow notch. Frontal area slightly impressed, not clearly bordered with posterior border of clypeus. Antenna! scapes short, not reaching medlength of the sides of head, terminal segment of funicular 2 X as long as the 10th. Frontal carinae short, diverging backward at the level of eyes. Gular denticles distinct, with 1 median denticle and 2 lateral denticles. Pronotum less than 1/2 of the width of head, lateral tubercles prominent, subrhombohedral in dorsal view; mesonotum oblique backward, transverse ridge absent; propodeal spines stout, blunt at tip, upward and outward. Petiolar node triangular in profile view, upper margin slightly concave in the middle; dorsum of postpetiole rounded, as high as petiolar node, transversely broad, about 1.8 X as broad as petiolar node in dorsal view, lateral angles prominent. Gaster oval.

Mandibles and middle of clypeus smooth and shining; lateral clypeus with short, fine longitudinal striations; cephical dorsum with sparse longitudinal striations, the striations diverging backward in the middle, feeble near occipital corners. Pronotum and mesonotum smooth and shining; mesopleuron and propodeum with sparse and irregular creases, among creases feebly punctate; basal face and declivity of propodeum with feeble transverse striations. Petiole, postpetiole and basal half of first gastral segment feebly reticulated, remaining gastral segments smooth and shining. Erect hairs yellow, soft, abundant, long erect hairs mixed up with short erect hairs., Antennal scapes and dorsum of hind tibia with moderately dense erect hairs. Pubescence absent.

Color brownish yellow. Head darker, slightly redish, gaster contaminate blackish brown; antennae and legs yellow.

Paratypes 4: TL 2.3~2.5, HL 0.54~0.56, HW 0.46~0.48, CI 84~85, SL 0.53~0.56, SI 110~119, PW 0.23~0.25, AL 0.65~0.68, ED 0.09~0.10. Head oval, longer than broad, occipital slightly concave in the middle. Antennal scapes slightly extending beyond occipital border, length of the extending part about 1.6 X as broad as the broadest diameter of its own. Dorsum of head with short, feeble longitudinal .striations between frontal carinae. Mesonotum and propodeum distinct punctate. Petiole feebly punctate, postpetiole and gaster smooth and shining. Color lighter than that of soldier, mandibles and clypeus brown on their margin, posterior half of gaster contaminate brown.

Type Material
Holotype soldier, Huaping Natural Reserve, 8.VIII.1995, Shanyi Zhou leg. Para types 4 workers, data as holotype.