The present study represents a taxonomic revision of the P. bessonii species-group from Madagascar. Eighteen members of this group are recognized and described, and an illustrated identification key to this group is also presented. One name is raised to species level: P. decollata Forel, 1892 stat. nov. We also redescribe worker castes and designate lectotypes for P. bessonii Forel, 1891, P. decollata Forel, 1892, P. grallatrix Emery, 1899, P. madecassa Forel, 1892, and P. oswaldi 1891. The following 13 new species are described: Pheidole antsahabe sp. nov., Pheidole atsirakambiaty sp. nov., Pheidole clara sp. nov., Pheidole flammea sp. nov., Pheidole flavodepressa sp. nov., Pheidole mantadioflava sp. nov., Pheidole maro sp. nov., Pheidole ovalinoda sp. nov., Pheidole similis sp. nov., Pheidole tenebrovulgaris sp. nov., Pheidole uranus sp. nov., Pheidole voreios sp. nov., Pheidole zirafy sp. nov.
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A taxonomic revision of the Strumigenys nitens and simulans groups (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), two Caribbean radiations of leaf litter ants
In this study, we revise two groups of cryptic leaf litter ants, the Strumigenys nitens and Strumigenys simulans species groups. These two groups are restricted to the Greater Antilles and the Bahamas. We redefine the species groups, provide a key for the five species in the S. nitens group, and differentiate the two species in the S. simulans group. Four new species are described: Strumigenys caiman sp. nov., S. economoi sp. nov., S. hubbewatyorum sp. nov., and S. zemi sp. nov. We review and provide a key for the Strumigenys fauna of Hispaniola, which comprises the two endemic species S. economoi and S. zemi, six more broadly distributed Neotropical species, and three pan-tropical “tramp” species.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1710645
- PAR ID:
- 10146808
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Zootaxa
- Volume:
- 4656
- Issue:
- 2
- ISSN:
- 1175-5326
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 335 to 358
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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