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 avia
Forel,
new status
Pheidole guilelmimuelleri subsp. avia
Forel 1908h: 380.
Types Mus. Hist. Nat. Geneve.
Etymology L
avia
, pertaining to birds, allusion unknown.
diagnosis Similar to
antillana
of the Lesser Antilles and to
bucculenta
,
guilelmimuelleri
, and
hetschkoi
of South America, as well as to
mamore
of South America in the
scrobifera
group, but differing in the following combination of traits.
Major: very large, with sharp postpetiolar cornicles, otherwise close to the lectotype major of
guilelmimuelleri
(q.v.); but the minor is very distinct.
Minor: occiput and anterior fourth of head bears transverse carinulae; carinulae originating on the frontal lobes curve outward (laterad) to join the anteriormost transverse posterior carinulae; anterior half of the pronotal dorsum transversely carinulate; rest of the head and body almost entirely smooth and shiny; propodeal spines moderately long, thin, and vertical.
Measurements (mm) Paralectotype major: HW 2.34, HL 2.40, SL 1.04, EL 0.24, PW 1.12.
Lectotype minor: HW 1.00, HL 1.14, SL 2.04, EL 0.24, PW 0.68.
color Major: reddish yellow.
Minor: concolorous plain yellow.
Range Known only from the type locality.
Biology Unknown.
Figure Lectotype, minor. BRAZIL: Alto da Serra, Sao Paulo. Paralectotype major not shown; very similar to
guilelmimuelleri
lectotype major (q.v.). Scale bar = 1 mm.