Pheidole xanthogaster ^HNS new species

Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.

etymology Gr xanthogaster ^HNS, yellow stomach, referring to the gaster.

Diagnosis a species tentatively placed in the fallax ^HNS group, of uncertain affinities, known only from the minor caste, and recognized formally here because of its strikingly distinctive bicolored body. It is further distinguished by the reduction of the propodeal spines to denticles and narrow occiput with a thin nuchal collar.

Measurements (mm) Holotype minor: HW 0.66, HL 0.80, SL 0.96, EL 0.14, PW 0.44.

Color Minor: bicolored, with head, mesosoma, and waist light yellowish brown, and gaster clear medium yellow; mandibles and tarsi clear medium yellow; antennae and other leg parts yellowish brown.

Range Known only from the type locality.

Biology The four type minors were collected from the floor of forest transitional between terra firme of higher ground and seasonally flooded forest.

Figure Holotype, minor, with paratype propodeum depicted above. PERU: Cuzco Amazonico, 15 km northeast of Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios (Stefan Cover and John E. Tobin). Scale bar = 1 mm.