Pheidole unicornis HNS new species

TYPES Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.

Etymology L unicornis HNS, one-horned, referring to the raised clypeal carina.

diagnosis Similar to binasifer HNS, diabolus HNS, gravida HNS, mirabilis HNS, moseni HNS, mosenopsis HNS, nasifer HNS, and rhinoceros HNS, and distinguished as follows.

Major: median carina of clypeus raised as a low, forward-projecting lobe; humerus in dorsal-oblique view a low lobe; mesonotal convexity suppressed; propodeal spines vertical on propodeal basal face, and in dorsal-oblique view curve slightly forward; dorsum of propodeum and anterior and lateral margins of pronotal dorsum carinulate; petiolar node in side view symmetrically rounded; postpetiole from above diamond-shaped.

Minor: occiput broad, lacking nuchal collar; posterior half of dorsal head surface smooth and shiny, and anterior half covered mostly by circular carinulae; propodeal spines vertical on propodeal dorsal face; postpetiolar node in side view suppressed; mesosomal pilosity consists of relatively short, erect bristles of nearly equal length.

measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.42, HL 1.64, SL 0.72, EL 0.18, PW 0.84.

Paratype minor: HW 0.72, HL 0.78, SL 0.64, EL 0.12, PW 0.46.

color Major: head medium reddish brown, mandibles and body dark reddish brown; other appendages light reddish brown. Minor: body medium reddish brown, appendages dark yellow.

range Known from the type locality, as well as Pichinde, also near Cali, at 1600 m; and near Cochancay, on Guayaquil-Tambo Highway, Canar, Ecuador.

Biology Occurs in mountain forests.

figure Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. COLOMBIA: Television Tower Road, Salidito, near Cali, 2100 m (W. L. Brown and R. B. Root). Scale bars = 1 mm.