Pheidole in the New World. A dominant, hyperdiverse ant genus.
Author
Wilson, E. O.
text
2003
Harvard University Press
Cambridge, MA
http://atbi.biosci.ohio-state.edu/HymOnline/reference-full.html?id=20017
book
20017
Pheidole hamtoni
new species
Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.
Etymology Named after the collector, Robert J. Hamton.
Diagnosis A member of the
fallax
group, close to
azteca
but differing from it and other species of the group by the following combination of traits. Both major and minor brownish yellow.
Major: head capsule 1.14X longer than broad; hypostomum with 5 teeth; propodeal spine greatly reduced, to a rudimentary denticle; postpetiolar node from above short and bell-shaped; pilosity erect and very dense; rugoreticulum present between each eye and the nearby antennal fossa; carinulae mesad to the eye extend almost all the way to the occipital border. Minor: propodeal spines reduced to denticles; occiput narrowed slightly, with a nuchal collar. Measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.32, HL 1.50, SL 1.22, EL 0.22, PW 0.74. Paratype minor: HW 0.64, HL 0.78, SL 1.02, EL 0.16, PW 0.44.
Color Major: body concolorous brownish yellow, except for gaster, which is a shade darker. Minor: concolorous brownish yellow.
Range Known from the type locality and from 8 km northwest of Tequila, Jalisco, 1220 m (R. J. Hamton).
Biology Unknown.
Figure Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. MEXICO: 10 km northwest of Ixtlan, Nayarit (Robert J. Hamton). Scale bars = 1 mm.