Pheidole similigena Wheeler

Wilson, E. O., 2003, Pheidole in the New World. A dominant, hyperdiverse ant genus., Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press : 508

Pheidole similigena Wheeler

Pheidole similigena Wheeler 1937b: 446.

types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.

Etymology L similigena , similar cheeks (genae), allusion unknown.

diagnosis Especially similar to terresi of Hispaniola but also sharing traits with amabilis , arhuaca , citrina , crinita , delicata , hedlundorum , laselva , mallota , melastomae , nitidicollis , and tillandsiarum , differing as follows.

Major: light reddish brown; eyes very small, Eye Length less than one-tenth Head Width; head subrectangular, with moderately deep occipital cleft; mesonotal convexity present but rudimentary; carinulae cover most of anterior half of dorsal head surface, and rest of body entirely smooth and shiny; propodeal spines moderately long, and thick at base; postpetiole from above elliptical, with angulate sides.

Minor: body almost completely smooth and shiny; eyes relatively small; occiput broad, its margin flat in full-face view; propodeal spines moderately long and thin.

Measurements (mm) Lectotype major: HW 0.96, HL 1.08, SL 0.50, EL 0.08, PW 0.46. Paralectotype minor: HW 0.44, HL 0.50, SL 0.44, EL 0.08, PW 0.30.

Color Major: concolorous light reddish brown except for gaster, which is medium reddish brown. Minor: concolorous light yellowish brown.

Range In addition to the types from Las Villas Province, I have seen specimens from Sierra de Mesa, Pinar del Rio, also in Cuba (Jorge Fontenla).

Biology Unknown.

figure Upper: lectotype, major. Lower: paralectotype, minor. CUBA: Buenos Aires, Trinidad Mts., Las Villas, 750-1100 m (P. J. Darlington). Scale bars = 1 mm.