Pheidole arcifera

Wilson, E. O., 2003, Pheidole in the New World. A dominant, hyperdiverse ant genus., Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press : 266

Pheidole arcifera Santschi

Pheidole arcifera Santschi 1925d: 226.

Types Mus. Zool. Univ. Sao Paulo.

Etymology L arcifera , bow-carrier, referring to the unique cephalic carinulae.

diagnosis A large member of the fallax group, uniquely defined as follows.

Major: entire head carinulate, with carinulae originating on the frontal lobes turning laterad as they approach the occiput, then forward to return all the way to the anterior edge of the head capsule; promesonotum mostly carinulate, with carinulae on the anterior half of the pronotum curving down to run along the ventral border of the pronotum; in dorsal-oblique view, pronotal profde bilobate; in side view, apex of petiolar node tapered to a point; postpetiolar node diamond-shaped and foveolate.

Minor: occiput tapered to a neck, with a broad nuchal collar; propodeal spines thin, needle-like.

Measurements (mm) Lectotype major: HW 2.00, HL 2.24, SL 1.20, EL 0.32, PW 1.00.

Paralectotype minor: HW 0.70, HL 0.96, SL 1.26, EL 0.20, PW 0.50.

color Major and minor: rich medium reddish brown, appendages brownish yellow.

Range Known only from the type locality.

Biology Unknown.

Figure Upper: lectotype, major. Lower: paralectotype, minor. BRAZIL: Pirapora, Minas Gerais. Scale bars = 1 mm.