Pheidole in the New World. A dominant, hyperdiverse ant genus.
Author
Wilson, E. O.
text
2003
Harvard University Press
Cambridge, MA
http://atbi.biosci.ohio-state.edu/HymOnline/reference-full.html?id=20017
book
20017
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.