Pheidole plato, Wilson, E. O., 2003

Wilson, E. O., 2003, Pheidole in the New World. A dominant, hyperdiverse ant genus., Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press : 147

Pheidole plato new species

Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.

etymology For the philosopher, chosen to set it off from the related species socrates . diagnosis Similar to biconstricta and socrates .

Major and minor: first gastral tergite smooth and shiny; in side and dorsal-oblique view, profde of posterior half of pronotal dorsum

raised as a low subangular prominence; color distinctive (see below); pilosity very sparse.

Major: only a small trace of rugoreticulum present between eye and antennal fossa and located close to the fossa.

Minor: relatively broad occipital border in full-face view.

measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.44, HL 1.44, SL 0.84, EL 0.20, PW 0.66. Paratype minor: HW 0.54, HL 0.64, SL 0.80, EL 0.14, PW 0.40.

color Major: body and mandibles light yellowish brown, other appendages dark yellow. Minor: body medium brown, appendages light brown. range Known only from the type series. Biology Unknown.

figure Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. ECUADOR: 22 km southwest of Puyo, Pastaza Prov. (Stewart B. and Jarmila Kukalova-Peck). Scale bars = 1 mm.