Pheidole mantilla, Wilson, E. O., 2003

Wilson, E. O., 2003, Pheidole in the New World. A dominant, hyperdiverse ant genus., Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press : 323

Pheidole mantilla new species

Types LNBio.

Etymology L mantilla , cloak, referring to the dense pilosity of the head and mesosoma.

diagnosis Closely similar to caribbaea of Jamaica, differing in the major in its narrower occiput seen in full-face view; carinulae of the cephalic dorsum reaching all the way to the occiput border; shorter scape; oval (rather than trapezoidal) postpetiole; and lighter (reddish-yellow as opposed to brown) color.

Measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.32, HL 1,42, SL 1.02, EL 0.20, PW 0.62.

Paratype minor: HW 0.60, HL 0.80, SL 1.04, EL 0.16, PW 0.40.

Color Major: concolorous medium reddish yellow ("orange").

Minor: concolorous brownish yellow.

Range Northern Pacific lowlands of Costa Rica.

biology Longino (1997) found the species in open habitats of seasonally dry areas. Workers forage on the ground and up into low vegetation.

Figure Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. COSTA RICA: La Pita, on road to Monteverde, Puntarenas, 200 m (J. T. Longino). Scale bars = 1 mm.