Pheidole melastomae, Wilson, E. O., 2003

Wilson, E. O., 2003, Pheidole in the New World. A dominant, hyperdiverse ant genus., Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press : 451

Pheidole melastomae new species

Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.

Etymology L melastomae , referring to the preferred melastome nesting site.

Diagnosis A medium-sized, yellow member of the flavens group characterized by a nearly complete absence in major and minor of sculpturing anywhere behind the anterior half of the head, the reduction of the propodeal spine to an obtuse angle, the very small size of the propodeal spiracle, shallow occipital concavity in full-face view, and abundant long pilosity. The major is further distinguished by its overall flattened mesosomal dorsal profile and laterally angulate postpetiole. Similar species: amabilis , boliviana , mixteca , scitula , terresi , and tysoni . Measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.80, HL 0.84, SL 0.42, EL 0.10, PW 0.42. Paratype minor: HW 0.44, HL 0.46, SL 0.42, EL 0.06, PW 0.24.

color Major: body mostly clear medium yellow, with dorsum of head and mandibles brownish yellow. Minor: concolorous light to medium yellow.

Range Known from the type locality in Panama and from Colombia (near San Jose, Choco, localities in Valle) and Ecuador (Endesa, Pichincha).

Biology Hilly rainforest, nesting in myrmecophytic melastomes (Leeanne Tennant-Alonso in Panama and Colombia). Winged males were present in a nest in Colombia in early June and in Panama in early July.

Figure Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. PANAMA: Estacion Nusagandi, Comarca de Kuna Yala, 350 m (Leeanne Tennant-Alonso). Scale bars = 1 mm.