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 mackayi
new species
Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.
Etymology Named after the collector and myrmecologist William P. MacKay.
Diagnosis Similar in various traits to
cerina
,
hizemops
,
micon
,
tachirana
, and
tenebra
, differing as follows. Major: dark brown; in side view, premesonotal profile almost straight until it drops off posteriorly in a nearly vertical face to the metanotum; pronotum in dorsal-oblique view bilobous, and mesonotal convexity subangulate; eyes relatively large; propodeal spines curve backward; postpetiole from above diamond-shaped; posterior half of dorsal head surface smooth with widely scattered foveae. Minor: eye very large, almost circular, set well forward on head; propodeal spines reduced to denticles; occiput narrowed, its margin concave, lacking nuchal collar.
measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.84, HL 0.86, SL 0.52, EL 0.12, PW 0.44.
Paratype minor: HW 0.40, HL 0.44, SL 0.36, EL 0.08, PW 0.24.
Color Major: body dark, almost blackish brown; appendages light brown.
Minor: body and antennae medium brown, legs yellow.
range Known only from the type locality.
Biology The type colony was collected at a bait in a cut and burned-over forest area.
figure Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. MEXICO: 24 km south of Cintalapa, Chiapas (William P. MacKay). Scale bars = 1 mm.