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 ecuadorana
new species
Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.
Etymology Named after the country of the type locality.
Diagnosis A medium-sized bicolorous (major) or light brown (minor) species with extremely long pilosity in both castes; narrow occiput with following collar in the minor; high, subangular humerus in dorsal-oblique view in the major; and mostly smooth shiny head and pronotum in both castes. The propodeal spiracle of the minor is unusual in its elliptical shape and position on the propodeum.
Most similar to
erratilis
,
flavifrons
, and
petersoni
, but differing in many details of body shape, sculpturing, pilosity, as illustrated, and in color.
Measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.82, HL 0.82, SL 0.50, EL 0.10, PW 0.42. Paratype minor: HW 0.50, HL 0.54, SL 0.50, EL 0.06, PW 0.32.
color Major: head yellow with large, circular, medium-brown spot on vertex as shown; appendages yellow; rest of body brownish yellow.
Minor: concolorous light brown.
Range Known only from the type series.
Biology Collected in a clearing created by a tree fall in second-growth forest.
Figure Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. ECUADOR: Endesa Forest Reserve, Pichincha Province (Leeanne Tennant-Alonso). Scale bars = 1 mm.