Pheidole boliviana

Longino, J. T., 2009, Additions to the taxonomy of New World Pheidole (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)., Zootaxa 2181, pp. 1-90 : 16-17

Pheidole boliviana

Pheidole boliviana Wilson, 2003: 380 , figs. Holotype major worker and associated paratype minor worker: Bolivia, Santa Cruz: Las Gamas, P. N. Noel Kempff Mercado, 14°48'S 60°28'W, 700 m (P. S. Ward #12270), ex rotten log [ MCZ] (examined).

Pheidole mincana Wilson, 2003: 457 , figs. Holotype major and associated paratype minor worker: Colombia, Magdalena: Minca, 610 m, 26 Mar 1977 (C. Kugler), cafetal [ MCZ] (examined). New synonymy.

Pheidole scitula Wilson, 2003: 505 , figs. Holotype major worker and associated paratype minor worker: Costa Rica, Puntarenas Prov., Parque Nacional Corcovado, Llorona, 8°35'N 83°42'W, 2 Jan 1982 (Longino) [ MCZ] (examined). New synonymy.

Geographic Range

Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica.

Biology

This species occurs in wet to moist forest habitats, from sea level to 800m elevation. Collections have been from second growth vegetation and a coffee plantation. Nests are in the low arboreal zone, within a meter or two of the ground but not in the leaf litter on the forest floor. Nests have been found in a small diameter dead stick and under loose bark of larger rotting trees.

Comments

Comparison of the types of P. boliviana, P. mincana , and P. scitula revealed no notable geographic variation. In fact, it is remarkable how similar the types from Bolivia and Costa Rica are.