Pheidole sagana Wheeler

Wilson, E. O., 2003, Pheidole in the New World. A dominant, hyperdiverse ant genus., Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press : 501

Pheidole sagana Wheeler

Pheidole sagana Wheeler 1934g: 169.

Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.

etymology L sagana , fortune-teller, soothsayer.

diagnosis A medium-sized, yellowish brown (major) to brownish yellow (minor) species similar to arhuaca and caulicola , but differing in the major by the more rounded, lower humerus seen in dorsal-oblique view, more distinct mesonotal convexity, and completely smooth promesonotal dorsum; in the minor by the smaller propodeal spine and presence of carinulae mesad to the eye; and in both castes by their darker color.

See also the less similar angulifera , chalca , chalcoides , mincana , schmalzi , and tragica . Measurements (mm) Lectotype major: HW 0.90, HL 0.90, SL 0.44, EL 0.12, PW 0.46. Paralectotype minor: HW 0.50, HL 0.54, SL 0.44, EL 0.08, PW 0.32. color Major: concolorous brownish yellow. Minor: concolorous light, yellowish brown.

Range Veracruz, Mexico (type locality) and, according to J. T. Longino, widespread in the Atlantic and Pacific lowlands of Costa Rica.

Biology Longino (1997): "This species occurs in mature wet forest. It is a relatively common arboreal ant, nesting in dead branches and under epiphytes. Colonies often appear large, with workers scattered over a wide area." Males are present in Wheeler's type series, collected on 16 May in an epiphyte (Tillandsiarum streptophylla).

figure Upper: lectotype, major. Lower: paralectotype, minor. MEXICO: Mirador, Veracruz (Elisabeth Skwarra). Scale bars = 1 mm.