Pheidole aripoensis Wilson, 2003, new species

Pheidole aripoensis new species

Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.

etymology Named in reference to the type locality.

Diagnosis Recognizable within the punctatissima group by the uniquely concave posterior dorsal profile of the major's head, combined with the double convexity of the major's pronotum (hence triple convexity of the promesonotum), concave occipital border of the minor, and well-developed propodeal spines, relatively sparse pilosity, and yellow color of both castes. Other traits in body form and sculpturing are illustrated.

Measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.92, HL 0.92, SL 0.64, EL 0.14, PW 0.42. Paratype minor: HW 0.44, HL 0.50, SL 0.60, EL 0.10, PW 0.26.

color Major: yellow, with head and mesosoma possessing a slightly dark, "orange" tinge.

Minor: concolorous yellow.

Range Known only from the type locality.

Biology Unknown.

Figure Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. TRINIDAD: Aripo Ridge, Arima Valley, 600-700 m (Stefan Cover and Mark W. Moffett). Scale bars = 1 mm.