Pheidole leoncortesi, Longino, J. T., 2009

Longino, J. T., 2009, Additions to the taxonomy of New World Pheidole (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)., Zootaxa 2181, pp. 1-90 : 49-51

Pheidole leoncortesi new species

Figure 13

Holotype major worker. Mexico, Chiapas: 21km SW Salto de Agua, 17.38542°N 92.42802°W, ±200m, 180m, 15 Jun 2008 (LLAMA#Ba-A-08-3-01-03) [ UNAM, unique specimen identifier CASENT0609109]. Paratypes: major and minor workers. Same data as holotype [ BMNH, CAS, EAPZ, ECOSCE, FMNH, INBC, JTLC, LACM, MCZ, MHNG, MIZA, MZSP, UCD, UNAM, ICN, USNM].

Geographic Range

Mexico (Chiapas).

Diagnosis

With the general habitus and morphometric profile of P. tschinkeli, with which it is sympatric. Minor and major worker: katepisternum and side of propodeum uniformly foveolate versus with conspicuous rugulae overlaying foveolate sculpture; propodeal spines short, tapering, with sharp tips, versus long, not tapering, tips blunt.

Description of minor worker

Measurements (paratype): HL 0.72, HW 0.65, HLA 0.28, SL 0.78, EL 0.16, ML 0.94, PSL 0.07, PMG 0.03, SPL 0.03, PTW 0.13, PPW 0.20, CI 90, SI 120, PSLI 10, PMGI 3, SPLI 4, PPI 154.

Measurements (n=10): HL 0.67-0.78, HW 0.59-0.68, SL 0.73-0.86, CI 87-91, SI 120-127.

Mandible, clypeus, and entire face smooth and shiny, highly polished; margin of vertex rounded with median impression; occipital carina narrow, barely visible in full face view; scape with abundant erect setae longer than maximum width of scape; promesonotal groove present, strongly impressed; propodeal spines present, with sharp tips; katepisternum and side of propodeum foveolate, rest of mesosoma smooth and shining; mesosomal dorsum with about six pairs erect black setae; dorsal (outer) margin of hind tibia with appressed pubescence and 4-6 suberect setae that are longer than maximum width of tibia; first gastral tergum smooth and shining; gastral dorsum with moderately abundant, erect stiff black setae; color dark red brown.

Description of major worker

Measurements (holotype): HL 1.13, HW 1.08, HLA 0.32, SL 0.79, EL 0.19, ML 1.07, PSL 0.10, PMG 0.05, SPL 0.05, PTW 0.21, PPW 0.32, IHT 0.43, OHT 0.49, CI 96, SI 73, PSLI 9, PMGI 4, SPLI 4, PPI 154, HTI 87.

Measurements (n=10): HL 1.09-1.21, HW 1.07-1.18, SL 0.76-0.84, CI 94-98, SI 67-74.

Mandible smooth and shiny; clypeus smooth and flat with distinct anterior notch; face mostly smooth and shiny, with a few carinulae on malar space; head lacking setae projecting from sides of head in face view; scape smooth and shining, terete at base, with appressed pubescence and abundant erect setae longer than maximum width of scape; hypostomal margin flat; median tooth absent or a small gibbosity; inner hypostomal teeth thin and sharp, located much closer to outer hypostomal teeth than to midline; promesonotal groove present; propodeal spines present; katepisternum and side of propodeum foveolate, rest of mesosoma smooth and shining; mesosomal dorsum with about six pairs erect black setae; dorsal (outer) margin of hind tibia with appressed pubescence and 4-8 suberect setae that are longer than maximum width of tibia; first gastral tergum smooth and shining; gastral dorsum with moderately abundant, erect stiff black setae; color dark red brown.

Biology

This species occurs in wet forest habitat. It is locally abundant and recruits heavily to baits on the forest floor. Major and minor workers frequently occur together at baits. The nest is unknown.

Etymology

The species is named for Dr. Jorge Leon Cortes, Director of the San Cristobal campus of the Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Chiapas, Mexico. Jorge was an extremely generous and effective host during LLAMA project sampling in Chiapas. He is an energetic field biologist actively promoting biological studies in Chiapas.

Additional material examined

MEXICO: Chiapas, 13.7km NW Metzabok, 17°11'26"N, 91°44'15"W, 540m (LLAMA).