Pheidole simplex Wheeler, 2003

Wilson, E. O., 2003, Pheidole in the New World. A dominant, hyperdiverse ant genus., Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press : 148

Pheidole simplex Wheeler , new status

Pheidole biconstricta simplex Wheeler 1925a: 21.

Types Roy. Mus. Stockholm; Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.

Etymology L simplex , simple, anatomical reference unknown.

Diagnosis Distinguished from other members of the biconstricta group by the dense, long, suberect to erect pilosity and reduced propodeal spines in both the major and minor castes. Also, only the anterior half of the first gastral tergite is shagreened and opaque.

Measurements (mm) Lectotype major: HW 1.42, HL 1.36, SL 0.92, EL 0.16, PW 0.68.

Paralectotype minor (Aleixo, Brazil): HW 0.64, HL 0.74, SL 0.90, EL 0.14, PW 0.44.

color Major and minor: yellowish red, with gaster of minor a slightly contrasting brownish yellow.

Range Poorly known; records are from Amazonian Brazil and Peru.

Biology At Cuzco Amazonico, near Puerto Maldonado, Peru, Stefan Cover and John E. Tobin found a colony in terra firme forest, nesting in a rotten log.

Figure Upper: lectotype, major (PERU: "Llinquipata"). Lower: minor (BRAZIL: Aleixo, near Manaus), compared with paralectotype from type locality. Scale bars = 1 mm.