Abstract
The Fijian islands, a remote archipelago in the southwestern Pacific, are home to a number of spectacular endemic radiations of plants and animals. Unlike most Pacific archipelagos, these evolutionary radiations extend to social insects, including ants. One of the most dramatic examples of ant radiation in Fiji has occurred in the hyperdiverse genus Pheidole. Most of the 17 native Fijian Pheidole belong to one of two species groups that descended from a single colonization, yet have evolved dramatically contrasting morphologies: the spinescent P. roosevelti species group, and the more morphologically conservative P. knowlesi species group. Here we revise the knowlesi group, in light of recent phylogenetic results, and enhanced with modern methods of X-ray microtomography. We recognize six species belonging to this group, including two of which we describe as new: Pheidole caldwelli Mann, Pheidole kava sp. n., Pheidole knowlesi Mann, P. ululevu sp. n., P. vatu Mann, and P. wilsoni Mann. Detailed measurements and descriptions, identification keys, and high-resolution images for queens, major and minor workers are provided. In addition, we include highly detailed 3D surface reconstructions for all available castes.
Highlights
The terrestrial ecosystems of the Fijian archipelago have evolved in relative isolation for millions of years, leading to the evolution of a highly endemic and interesting biota [1,2]
Most of the 17 native Fijian Pheidole belong to one of two species groups that descended from a single colonization, yet have evolved dramatically contrasting morphologies: the spinescent P. roosevelti species group, and the more morphologically conservative P. knowlesi species group
We recognize six species belonging to this group, including two of which we describe as new: Pheidole caldwelli Mann, Pheidole kava sp. n., Pheidole knowlesi Mann, P. ululevu sp. n., P. vatu Mann, and P. wilsoni Mann
Summary
The terrestrial ecosystems of the Fijian archipelago have evolved in relative isolation for millions of years, leading to the evolution of a highly endemic and interesting biota [1,2]. Diagnosis within the knowlesi group: Major worker: large (HW 1.55–1.62mm); head, mesosoma, postpetiole, most of petiole and anterior half of first gastral tergite entirely sculptured with punctures; frons with irregular, longitudinal rugulae and with median ocellus present, posterolateral lobes rugoreticulate; antennal scrobes relatively narrow; anterior clypeal margin straight with median notch present; hypostoma bearing stout submedian teeth, median tooth absent or inconspicuous.
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