Pheidole sphaerica, Wilson, E. O., 2003

Wilson, E. O., 2003, Pheidole in the New World. A dominant, hyperdiverse ant genus., Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press : 755

Pheidole sphaerica new species

Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.

Etymology Gr sphaerica , shaped like a ball, alluding to the head.

Diagnosis A large, spectacularly distinct species whose major has a huge spherical head, proportionately reduced clypeus and mandibles, a mesonotum that drops vertically in side view to the metanotum, and a near-absence of pilosity on the head and mesosoma.

Measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.98, HL 1.92, SL 0.84, EL 0.24, PW 0.90.

color Major: head, appendages, and most of gaster light reddish yellow (light "orange"); mesosoma, waist, and part of gaster medium reddish yellow (medium "orange").

Range Known only from the type locality.

biology Unknown.

Figure Holotype, major. COLOMBIA: St. Augustin, Huila (L. Garling). Scale bar = 1 mm.