Pheidole sitiens, Wilson, E. O., 2003

Wilson, E. O., 2003, Pheidole in the New World. A dominant, hyperdiverse ant genus., Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press : 348

Pheidole sitiens new species

Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.

Etymology L sitiens , thirsty, referring to life in the dry habitat of the type locality.

Diagnosis A member of the fallax group, similar to the species listed in the heading above, distinguished as follows. Major: antennal scape just attaining the occipital corner; propodeal spines equilaterally triangular; anterior and lateral margins of pronotum covered by continuous "wraparound" carinulae; posterior half and entire median strip of head, as well as promesonotal dorsum and all of gaster, smooth and shiny; pilosity dense, erect to suberect, and long, many of the hairs as long as Eye Length. Minor: propodeal spines reduced to denticles; posterior half of head and all of pronotal dorsum and of gaster smooth and shiny; occiput slightly narrowed, with very thin nuchal collar.

Measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.48, HL 1.60, SL 1.18, EL 0.24, PW 0.40. Paratype minor: HW 0.60, HL 0.76, SL 0.96, EL 0.20, PW 0.40. Color Major: concolorous light brownish brown.

Minor: body plain medium brown; mandibles and tarsi dark yellow; other appendages light brown.

Range Known only from the type locality.

Biology Unknown.

Figure Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. TEXAS: 24 km northwest of Carrizo Springs, Dimmit Co. (O. F. Francke, J. V. Moody, F. W. Merickel). Scale bars = 1 mm.