Pheidole avia, Wilson, E. O., 2003

Wilson, E. O., 2003, Pheidole in the New World. A dominant, hyperdiverse ant genus., Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press : 659

Pheidole avia Forel, new status

Pheidole guilelmimuelleri subsp. avia Forel 1908h: 380.

Types Mus. Hist. Nat. Geneve.

Etymology L avia , pertaining to birds, allusion unknown.

diagnosis Similar to antillana of the Lesser Antilles and to bucculenta , guilelmimuelleri , and hetschkoi of South America, as well as to mamore of South America in the scrobifera group, but differing in the following combination of traits.

Major: very large, with sharp postpetiolar cornicles, otherwise close to the lectotype major of guilelmimuelleri (q.v.); but the minor is very distinct.

Minor: occiput and anterior fourth of head bears transverse carinulae; carinulae originating on the frontal lobes curve outward (laterad) to join the anteriormost transverse posterior carinulae; anterior half of the pronotal dorsum transversely carinulate; rest of the head and body almost entirely smooth and shiny; propodeal spines moderately long, thin, and vertical.

Measurements (mm) Paralectotype major: HW 2.34, HL 2.40, SL 1.04, EL 0.24, PW 1.12.

Lectotype minor: HW 1.00, HL 1.14, SL 2.04, EL 0.24, PW 0.68.

color Major: reddish yellow.

Minor: concolorous plain yellow.

Range Known only from the type locality.

Biology Unknown.

Figure Lectotype, minor. BRAZIL: Alto da Serra, Sao Paulo. Paralectotype major not shown; very similar to guilelmimuelleri lectotype major (q.v.). Scale bar = 1 mm.