Pheidole eriophora, Wilson, E. O., 2003

Wilson, E. O., 2003, Pheidole in the New World. A dominant, hyperdiverse ant genus., Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press : 685

Pheidole eriophora new species

Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.

etymology Gr eriophora , wool-bearing, alluding to the curving, wool-like pilosity of the mesosoma.

Diagnosis Somewhat similar to the species (^' carapuna complex") listed in the heading above.

Major: reddish yellow; occiput narrowed, giving the head capsule plus mandibles an overall elliptical shape in full-face view; some hairs on dorsal surfaces of head curved, giving a locally woolly look to the pilosity; humerus prominent, subangulate from above; propodeal spines vertical; postpetiole from above oval; most of posterior third of head, including occiput, smooth and shiny. Minor: propodeal dorsum transversely carinulate; sides of propodeum with scattered short rugulae; upper mesopleuron foveolate; propodeal spines reduced to denticles.

Measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.12, HL 1.26, SL 0.60, EL 0.14, PW 0.64. Paratype minor: HW 0.58, HL 0.62, SL 0.52, EL 0.08, PW 0.40.

Color Major: body and mandibles reddish yellow, legs and antennae plain medium yellow. Minor: body and mandibles plain brownish yellow, legs and antennae plain medium yellow.

Range Known only from the type locality.

Biology The type colony was collected in montane rainforest.

Figure Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. COLOMBIA: Pance, Mun. de Cali, Valle, 1700 m (William L. Brown and S. Chaplin). Scale bars = 1 mm.