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 gigaflavens
new species
Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.
etymology Gr L
gigaflavens
, giant
flavens
, alluding to closeness to
flavens
group and large size.
diagnosis An unusual species that mixes traits of the
tristis
and
flavens
groups, and is tentatively placed in the former. Major: postpetiolar node from above very wide, bell-shaped; mesonotal convexity rudimentary; propodeal spine broad, and equilaterally triangular; petiolar node in side view tapered to a point; occiput narrower than anterior clypeal border; pilosity very sparse.
Minor: all of body except frontal triangle, mid-clypeus, and gaster foveolate and opaque; humerus subangulate in dorsaloblique view; propodeal spines reduced to denticles; petiolar node in side view tapered to a blunt point; pilosity very sparse. Measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.36, HL 1.46, SL 0.64, EL 0.20, PW 0.66. Paratype minor: HW 0.54, HL 0.62, SL 0.58, EL 0.10, PW 0.34. color Major: body concolorous medium reddish brown, legs light reddish brown. Minor: body medium yellowish brown (head darker than rest), legs light yellowish brown.
Range Known from the type locality and Club Las Palmas, Santa Cruz, Bolivia.
Biology Unknown.
figure Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. ARGENTINA: Santiago del Estero (James C. Trager). Scale bars = 1 mm.