Pheidole in the New World. A dominant, hyperdiverse ant genus. Author Wilson, E. O. text 2003 Harvard University Press Cambridge, MA, USA http://atbi.biosci.ohio-state.edu/HymOnline/reference-full.html?id=20017 book 20017 Pheidole spilota new species types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard. Etymology Gr spilota , spotted, stained, with reference to spot on vertex. diagnosis A member of the diligens group similar in various characters to the species listed in the heading above, distinguished as follows. Major: head yellowish brown with a light brown spot on vertex; antennal scape fails to reach occipital comer by about its own maximum width; mesonotal convexity angulate in side view; propodeal spine stout and a third as long as the basal propodeal face; no rugoreticulum on head; carinulae along frontal carinae spread strongly outward, and those next to dorsal midline reach the occiput; anterior median strip of first gastral tergite lightly shagreened; body densely covered with hairs as long as the eyes or longer. Minor: yellow; occiput narrowed, with nuchal crest; posterior dorsal head surface sparsely foveolate; mesonotal convexity in side view subangulate. measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.16, HL 1.18, SL 0.96, EL 0.20, PW 0.56. Paratype minor: HW 0.60, HL 0.76, SL 0.92, EL 0.14, PW 0.40. color Major: concolorous yellowish brown, with a slightly contrasting small light brown spot on vertex; also, posterior strips of gastral tergites light brown. Minor: concolorous dark yellow. Range Known only from the type locality. Biology Unknown. figure Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. COLOMBIA: Las Salinas, near Restrepo, Meta (W. W. Lamar). Scale bars = 1 mm.