Pheidole karolsetosa, Longino, J. T., 2009

Longino, J. T., 2009, Additions to the taxonomy of New World Pheidole (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)., Zootaxa 2181, pp. 1-90 : 44-45

Pheidole karolsetosa new species

Figure 11

Holotype major worker. Costa Rica, Heredia: 16km SSW Pto. Viejo, 10.31750°N 84.04889°W, ±500m, 500m, 20 Apr 2007 (Marcos M and Deimer A#AMI-3-W-136-06) [ INBC, unique specimen identifier CASENT0609023].

Paratypes: major and minor workers. Same data as holotype; same locality as holotype but 18 Oct 2005 (Marcos M, Gilberth H, and Felix C#AMI-3-W-053-03), 11 Jul 2006 (Gilbert H and Johanna H#AMI-3-W- 085-05), 16 Oct 2006 (Marcos M and Deimer A#AMI-3-W-099-01 and AMI-3-W-099-08), 6 Feb 2007 (Marcos M and Deimer A#AMI-3-W-120-04); Costa Rica, Heredia: 11km SE La Virgen, 10.33333°N 84.06667 °W, ±2000m, 500m, 15 Mar 2003 (ALAS#05/WF/03/39); Costa Rica, Heredia: Cantarrana, 11km ESE La Virgen, 10.34528°N 84.05778°W, ±500m, 300m, 21 Mar 2006 (Marcos M, Gilberth H, Felix C#AMI- 4-W-068-03); Costa Rica, Heredia: La Selva, 8km SW Pto. Viejo, 10.40000°N 84.05000°W, ±2000m, 150m, 17 Jul 1986 (J. Longino#JTL1391-s) [ BMNH, CAS, EAPZ, ECOSCE, FMNH, INBC, JTLC, LACM, MCZ, MHNG, MIZA, MZSP, MEL, UCD, ICN, USNM].

Geographic Range

Costa Rica.

Diagnosis

Very similar to the sympatric P. karolmorae ; also can be confused with the sympatric P. specularis . See under P. karolmorae for diagnostic differences from species other than P karolmorae and P specularis . Minor worker: side of petiole and postpetiole strongly foveolate versus weakly foveolate ( specularis ); propodeal spines relatively short, PSLI 14, versus longer, PSLI 15-19 ( specularis ); postpetiole in dorsal view oval versus more trapezoidal ( specularis ); dorsal face of hind tibia with three or more long erect setae that are longer than maximum width of tibia and differentiated from underlying shorter subdecumbent pubescence versus with short appressed pubescence only, lacking long erect setae ( karolmorae ). Major worker: vertex lobes uniformly foveolate versus with reticulate rugulae overlying foveolate sculpture ( karolmorae ) or less dense and less uniform foveolation ( specularis ); head relatively rectangular and weakly impressed posteriorly versus more cordate, with more convex sides and more excavate posterior margin ( karolmorae ); postpetiole in dorsal view relatively trapezoidal versus more transverse, with well-developed conules ( specularis ); tibial pilosity difference from karolmorae as in minor worker.

Description of minor worker

Measurements (paratype): HL 0.44, HW 0.42, HLA 0.13, SL 0.35, EL 0.09, ML 0.45, PSL 0.06, PMG 0.00, SPL 0.03, PTW 0.09, PPW 0.11, CI 94, SI 85, PSLI 14, PMGI 0, SPLI 6, PPI 120. Measurements (n=7): HL 0.39-0.44, HW 0.38-0.43, SL 0.33-0.37, CI 94-99, SI 84-89. Differing from P. karolmorae only in the diagnostic characters above.

Description of major worker

Measurements (holotype): HL 0.85, HW 0.78, HLA 0.18, SL 0.41, EL 0.11, ML 0.58, PSL 0.08, PMG 0.00, SPL 0.03, PTW 0.13, PPW 0.20, IHT 0.14, OHT 0.28, CI 92, SI 53, PSLI 10, PMGI 0, SPLI 4, PPI 158, HTI 51.

Measurements (n=9): HL 0.77-0.85, HW 0.75-0.80, SL 0.38-0.41, CI 92-98, SI 50-54. Differing from P. karolmorae only in the diagnostic characters above.

Biology

Pheidole karolsetosa occurs in mature wet forest leaf litter. It is known only from Winkler samples of leaf litter from 300-500m elevation on the Barva Transect in Braulio Carrillo National Park.

Etymology

The name is in reference to the similarity to P. karolmorae , but with long setae on the hind tibia.

Comments

This species is very similar to P. karolmorae , differing in characters that are not typically considered sufficient to recognize distinct species. However, the two species are sympatric at the smallest spatial scales and show no overlap in the diagnostic characters.