Pheidole phanigaster Longino, 2009, new species

Pheidole phanigaster new species

Figure 17

Holotype major worker. Mexico, Chiapas: 21km SW Salto de Agua, 17.38542°N 92.42802°W, ±200m, 180m, 15 Jun 2008 (LLAMA#Ba-A-08-3-02-10) [UNAM, unique specimen identifier CASENT0609087]. Paratypes: major and minor workers. Same data as holotype [BMNH, CAS, FMNH, INBC, JTLC, LACM, MCZ, MHNG, MIZA, MZSP, UCD, UNAM, USNM].

Geographic Range

Mexico (Chiapas).

Diagnosis

With the morphometric profile of P. anastasii but the shape and general habitus of P. nebulosa. Minor worker: scape relatively long (SI 119-122) versus short (SI 104-106) (nebulosa); gastral dorsum shiny versus matte (anastasii); postpetiole in dorsal view lenticular versus flask-shaped, widest posterior to midlength (anastasii). Major worker: inner hypostomal teeth present and separated from median tooth versus medial hypostomal margin with large blunt medial tooth only (nebulosa); postpetiole in dorsal view lenticular, widest at or anterior to midlength, versus postpetiole flask-shaped, widest posterior to midlength (anastasii); color red brown versus usually yellow orange (anastasii).

Description of minor worker

Measurements (paratype): HL 0.49, HW 0.43, HLA 0.17, SL 0.52, EL 0.10, ML 0.55, PSL 0.05, PMG 0.00, SPL 0.03, PTW 0.07, PPW 0.11, CI 88, SI 120, PSLI 10, PMGI 0, SPLI 5, PPI 147.

Measurements (n=7): HL 0.46-0.50, HW 0.39-0.44, SL 0.46-0.53, CI 84-89, SI 119-122.

Mandible smooth and shiny; clypeus foveolate; face uniformly foveolate; margin of vertex rounded with median impression; occipital carina narrow, not or barely visible in full face view; scape with appressed pubescence and sparse, fine erect setae, these longer than maximum width of scape; promesonotal groove absent; propodeal spines present; entire mesosoma foveolate; mesosomal dorsum with about six pairs erect setae; dorsal (outer) margin of hind tibia with short decumbent pilosity, no long erect setae; first gastral tergum smooth and shining; gastral dorsum with moderately abundant erect setae; color orange.

Description of major worker

Measurements (holotype): HL 1.08, HW 1.01, HLA 0.28, SL 0.61, EL 0.15, ML 0.86, PSL 0.11, PMG 0.00, SPL 0.05, PTW 0.12, PPW 0.26, IHT 0.24, OHT 0.39, CI 94, SI 60, PSLI 10, PMGI 0, SPLI 4, PPI 207, HTI 60.

Measurements (n=7): HL 0.95-1.08, HW 0.90-1.03, SL 0.58-0.62, CI 94-97, SI 60-64.

Mandible smooth and shiny; clypeus shiny, slightly concave, with median carina and parallel longitudinal carinulae laterally, with prominent anterior notch; face foveolate throughout, overlain with parallel rugulae on malar spaces and between frontal carinae, becoming more reticulate and fainter posteriorly; head with abundant suberect setae projecting from sides of head in face view; scape smooth and shining, terete at base, with sparse erect setae longer than maximum width of scape; hypostomal margin flat, median tooth present, usually prominent and larger than inner hypostomal teeth; inner hypostomal teeth present, stout, about one half distance from midline to outer hypostomal teeth; promesonotal groove not distinct; propodeal spines present; mesosoma largely foveolate, with shiny area at anterodorsal margin of pronotum; dorsal (outer) margin of hind tibia with appressed pubescence, no longer erect setae; pilosity abundant on mesosomal dorsum; postpetiole in dorsal view lenticular, widest at midlength, conules moderately developed; first gastral tergite matte, with abundant long stiff erect setae; head and mesosoma generally red brown with greater infuscation on mesosomal dorsum, first gastral tergum orange anteriorly, posterior portion and rest of gastral dorsum darker red brown.

Biology

This species is known from numerous baiting samples in wet forest habitat, in one locality in the northern Chiapas lowlands.

Etymology

The name is in reference to the smooth and shiny gaster of the minor worker, in contrast to the matte gaster of the similar P. anastasii.