Pheidole azteca, Wilson, E. O., 2003

Wilson, E. O., 2003, Pheidole in the New World. A dominant, hyperdiverse ant genus., Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press : 558

Pheidole azteca new species

Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.

Etymology Named after the ancient Amerindian empire that embraced the type locality.

diagnosis A member of the pilifera group, close to hamtoni (in the fallax group) of Mexico but distinguished from it and other species of the group by the following combination of traits. Both major and minor medium reddish yellow. Major: head capsule in full-face view quadrate, as broad as long; hypostoma with only 2 teeth; propodeal spine reduced to a thick denticle; postpetiolar node from above diamond-shaped, with right-angular lateral margins; pilosity erect and very dense; a patch of rugoreticulum present between each eye and the nearest antennal fossa.

Minor: propodeal spines reduced to rudimentary broad denticles, not even apparent in side view; occiput broad, lacking nuchal collar. Measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.34, HL 1.34, SL 1.14, EL 0.22, PW 0.72. Paratype minor: HW 0.72, HL 0.82, SL 1.02, EL 0.20, PW 0.46.

color Major and minor: body medium yellow with very slight reddish tinge, except for gaster, which is plain pale yellow.

Range Known only from the type locality.

Biology Unknown.

Figure Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. MEXICO: San Jeronimo, Mexico City (W. Lopez-Forment). Scale bars = 1 mm.