Pheidole probolonotum, Longino, 2019

Longino, John T., 2019, Pheidole (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of Middle American Wet Forest, Zootaxa 4599 (1), pp. 1-126 : 54-55

Pheidole probolonotum new species

( Plate 41 )

Pheidole JTL-259: morphospecies code previously used on AntWeb.

HOLOTYPE: 1 major worker, Mexico, Veracruz: Estación de Biología Los Tuxtlas , 18.58461 -95.07375 ± 20 m, 150 m, 31-May-2016, mature wet forest, nest in clay bank (J. Longino, JTL9560) [ UNAM, unique specimen identifier CASENT0631751] . PARATYPES: major, minor workers: same data as holotype [ CAS, DZUP, JTLC, MCZC, UNAM, USNM] .

Geographic range. Mexico (Veracruz).

Diagnosis. Minor: face partially smooth and shining, with discrete patches of faint foveolation scattered over surface; head weakly emarginate behind; promesonotal groove strongly impressed, mesonotum strongly produced, angulate; pronotum smooth and shiny; katepisternum foveolate; propodeal spines about two thirds length of posterior face of propodeum; gaster smooth and shining; pronotum with 0-2 pairs short stiff erect setae; tibiae lack erect setae; gaster with very sparse, fully appressed short pubescence, 0-few longer erect setae; color dark brown. Major: inner hypostomal teeth widely spaced, acicular; scape base terete; face foveolate throughout, overlain with reticulate rugulae; mesonotum strongly produced; propodeal spines about two thirds length of posterior face of propodeum; gastral dorsum smooth and shiny; pilosity pattern similar to worker, with dorsal surfaces nearly devoid of erect setae.

Measurements, minor worker: HW 0.60, HL 0.67, SL 0.79, EL 0.16, WL 0.88, PSL 0.10, PTW 0.14, PPW 0.21, CI 91, SI 130, PSLI 16, PPI 148 (n=1).

Measurements, major worker: HW 0.93, HL 0.99, SL 0.73, EL 0.18, WL 0.95, PSL 0.12, PTW 0.21, PPW 0.33, CI 94, SI 78, PSLI 13, PPI 154 (n=1).

Biology. This species occurs in lowland rainforest. Workers recruit to ground baits and occur in Winkler samples of sifted litter and rotten wood. A nest was discovered in a vertical clay bank in forest. The entrance was an irregular opening, leading to shallow chambers. So far this species is known only from Los Tuxtlas Biological Station.

Comments. This species is a version of P. plebecula . Pheidole plebecula is highly geographically variable (see Comments under P. plebecula ) and P. probolonotum is within the global range of variation of P. plebecula . However, it is sympatric with a regional form of P. plebecula . Compared to the regional form, the dorsal pilosity is reduced and the face of the minor worker has a mix of smooth and foveolate sculpture (smooth in the regional form of P. plebecula ).

Etymology: In reference to the strongly projecting mesonotum.

Figures

PLATE 41.