Pheidole nubicola

Pheidole nubicola Wilson, 2003: 329, figs. Holotype major worker and associated paratype minor worker: Mexico, Tamaulipas: Rancho del Cielo, Sierra de Guatemala, 1070 m (Cornell University Expedition group, 1965) [MCZC] (examined).

Pheidole cielana Wilson, 2003: 275, figs. Holotype major worker and associated paratype minor worker: Mexico, Tamaulipas: Rancho Cielo, 17 km northwest of Gomez Farias, 1160 m (Philip S. Ward) [MCZC] (examined). New Synonym.

Pheidole petrensis Wilson, 2003: 337, figs. Holotype major worker and associated paratype minor worker: Mexico, Morelos: 24 km west of Cuernavaca, 2200 m (W. P. MacKay) [MCZC] (examined). New Synonym.

Comments. Additional material from Rancho Cielo reveals continuous character variation uniting Wilson's concepts of P. cielana and P. nubicola at this site. The types of P. petrensis from Morelos are also a close match, as is material from montane sites in Veracruz. I interpret this as a single widespread montane species in eastern Mexico.