Pheidole caribbaea Wheeler ^HNS

Pheidole caribbaea Wheeler ^HNS 191 la: 23. Syn.: P. caribbaea subsp. sloanei Wheeler ^HNS 1917g: 459, n. syn.

Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.

Etymology Refers to region of origin.

Diagnosis A brown member of the fallax ^HNS group whose major has the dorsal surface of the head completely covered with longitudinal parallel carinulae, except the extreme occipital strip (seen in full-face view), which is smooth and shiny; pronotum and anterior mesonotum completely covered with transverse carinulae; postpetiolar node trapezoidal; anterior half of the first gastral tergite shagreened; and head densely covered with mostly erect to suberect hairs.

Close to mantilla ^HNS of Costa Rica and kukrana ^HNS of Nicaragua but differing in details of head shape, sculpture, pilosity, and color (q.v.); see also cardinalis ^HNS, obscurior ^HNS, rubiceps ^HNS.

Measurements (mm) Syntype major: HW 1.12, HL 1.20, SL 0.96, EL 0.20, PW 0.58. Syntype minor: HW 0.52, HL 0.66, SL 0.92, EL 0.14, PW 0.34.

Color Major: head medium brown, mesosoma dark brown, waist and gaster medium to dark brown, appendages light to medium brown.

Minor: body concolorous medium brown, appendages medium to yellowish brown.

Range Known only from Jamaica, an apparent endemic.

Biology Unknown.

Figure Upper: syntype, major. Lower: syntype, minor. JAMAICA: Balaclava: Scale bars = 1 mm.