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 steinheili Forel Pheidole steinheili F'orel 190lj: 353. Types Mus. Hist. Nat. Geneve. Etymology Eponymous, no further attribution. diagnosis A large, distinctive species of the tristis group with no clear affinities. Major: head capsule in full-face view roughly circular in outline, with smoothly semicircular occipital lobes; carinulae originating along the midline of the dorsal half of the head turn outward; occipital lobes mostly smooth, with a sprinkling of foveae; antennal scape very short, its tip reaching the lateral head margin just posterior to the eye; entire clypeus, most of mesosoma, and dorsum of waist carinulate; anterior half of central strip of first gastral tergite shagreened; postpetiole cone-shaped. Minor: occiput very narrow but lacks nuchal collar; part of propodeal dorsum and lower fringe of mesopleuron carinulate. Measurements (mm) Lectotype major: HW 2.16, HL 2.20, SL 1.00, EL 0.28, PW 1.04. Paralectotype minor: HW 0.74, HL 0.84, SL 1.00, EL 0.18, PW 0.48. Color Major: body medium to dark reddish brown except for posterior half of head capsule, which is light reddish brown; appendages light reddish brown. Minor: concolorous plain light brown. Range Known only from the type locality. Biology The type colony was very populous, in loose soil and covered by multiple craters (A. Forel). Figure Upper: lectotype, major. Lower: paralectotype, minor. COLOMBIA: Dibulla, Guajira (Auguste Forel). Scale bars = 1 mm.