Pheidole leoncortesi, Longino, J. T., 2009

Longino, J. T., 2009, Additions to the taxonomy of New World Pheidole (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)., Zootaxa 2181, pp. 1-90 : 49-51

publication ID

22820

publication LSID

lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F84E23F9-9FE9-4728-B51D-3078D6EDB7E2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6222853

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/497F8919-7254-B9E0-7F27-BC5404B4C2CD

treatment provided by

Christiana

scientific name

Pheidole leoncortesi
status

new species

Pheidole leoncortesi   HNS new species

Figure 13

Holotype major worker. Mexico, Chiapas: 21km SW Salto de Agua, 17.38542°N 92.42802°W, ±200m, 180m, 15 Jun 2008 (LLAMA#Ba-A-08-3-01-03) [ UNAM, unique specimen identifier CASENT0609109]. Paratypes: major and minor workers. Same data as holotype [ BMNH, CAS, EAPZ, ECOSCE, FMNH, INBC, JTLC, LACM, MCZ, MHNG, MIZA, MZSP, UCD, UNAM, ICN, USNM].

Geographic Range

Mexico (Chiapas).

Diagnosis

With the general habitus and morphometric profile of P. tschinkeli, with which it is sympatric. Minor and major worker: katepisternum and side of propodeum uniformly foveolate versus with conspicuous rugulae overlaying foveolate sculpture; propodeal spines short, tapering, with sharp tips, versus long, not tapering, tips blunt.

Description of minor worker

Measurements (paratype): HL 0.72, HW 0.65, HLA 0.28, SL 0.78, EL 0.16, ML 0.94, PSL 0.07, PMG 0.03, SPL 0.03, PTW 0.13, PPW 0.20, CI 90, SI 120, PSLI 10, PMGI 3, SPLI 4, PPI 154.

Measurements (n=10): HL 0.67-0.78, HW 0.59-0.68, SL 0.73-0.86, CI 87-91, SI 120-127.

Mandible, clypeus, and entire face smooth and shiny, highly polished; margin of vertex rounded with median impression; occipital carina narrow, barely visible in full face view; scape with abundant erect setae longer than maximum width of scape; promesonotal groove present, strongly impressed; propodeal spines present, with sharp tips; katepisternum and side of propodeum foveolate, rest of mesosoma smooth and shining; mesosomal dorsum with about six pairs erect black setae; dorsal (outer) margin of hind tibia with appressed pubescence and 4-6 suberect setae that are longer than maximum width of tibia; first gastral tergum smooth and shining; gastral dorsum with moderately abundant, erect stiff black setae; color dark red brown.

Description of major worker

Measurements (holotype): HL 1.13, HW 1.08, HLA 0.32, SL 0.79, EL 0.19, ML 1.07, PSL 0.10, PMG 0.05, SPL 0.05, PTW 0.21, PPW 0.32, IHT 0.43, OHT 0.49, CI 96, SI 73, PSLI 9, PMGI 4, SPLI 4, PPI 154, HTI 87.

Measurements (n=10): HL 1.09-1.21, HW 1.07-1.18, SL 0.76-0.84, CI 94-98, SI 67-74.

Mandible smooth and shiny; clypeus smooth and flat with distinct anterior notch; face mostly smooth and shiny, with a few carinulae on malar space; head lacking setae projecting from sides of head in face view; scape smooth and shining, terete at base, with appressed pubescence and abundant erect setae longer than maximum width of scape; hypostomal margin flat; median tooth absent or a small gibbosity; inner hypostomal teeth thin and sharp, located much closer to outer hypostomal teeth than to midline; promesonotal groove present; propodeal spines present; katepisternum and side of propodeum foveolate, rest of mesosoma smooth and shining; mesosomal dorsum with about six pairs erect black setae; dorsal (outer) margin of hind tibia with appressed pubescence and 4-8 suberect setae that are longer than maximum width of tibia; first gastral tergum smooth and shining; gastral dorsum with moderately abundant, erect stiff black setae; color dark red brown.

Biology

This species occurs in wet forest habitat. It is locally abundant and recruits heavily to baits on the forest floor. Major and minor workers frequently occur together at baits. The nest is unknown.

Etymology

The species is named for Dr. Jorge Leon Cortes, Director of the San Cristobal campus of the Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Chiapas, Mexico. Jorge was an extremely generous and effective host during LLAMA project sampling in Chiapas. He is an energetic field biologist actively promoting biological studies in Chiapas.

Additional material examined

MEXICO: Chiapas, 13.7km NW Metzabok, 17°11'26"N, 91°44'15"W, 540m (LLAMA).

UNAM

Mexico, Mexico D.F., Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico

BMNH

United Kingdom, London, The Natural History Museum [formerly British Museum (Natural History)]

CAS

USA, California, San Francisco, California Academy of Sciences

EAPZ

Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Escuela Agricola Panamericana

FMNH

USA, Illinois, Chicago, Field Museum of Natural History (also used by Finnish Museum of Natural History)

INBC

Costa Rica, Santo Domingo de Heredia, Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad (INBio)

JTLC

John T. Longino

LACM

USA, California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History

MCZ

USA, Massachusetts, Cambridge, Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology

MHNG

Switzerland, Geneva, Museum d'Histoire Naturelle

MIZA

Venezuela, Maracay, Museuo del Instituto de Zoologia Agricola

MZSP

Brazil, Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo

UCD

USA, California, Davis, University of California, R.M. Bohart Museum of Entomology

ICN

Colombia, Bogota, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Insituto de Ciencias Naturales de la Universidad Nacional

USNM

USA, Washington D.C., National Museum of Natural History, [formerly, United States National Museum]

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Hymenoptera

Family

Formicidae

Genus

Pheidole

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