Pheidole leptina ^HNS new species

Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.

Etymology Gr leptina ^HNS, thin, slender.

diagnosis A member of the " jujuyensis ^HNS complex" of the larger fallax ^HNS group, comprising araneoides ^HNS, cuevasi ^HNS, durionei ^HNS, jujuyensis ^HNS, kugleri ^HNS, leonina ^HNS, leptina ^HNS, lucretii ^HNS, lupus ^HNS, paraensis ^HNS, punctithorax ^HNS, tijucana ^HNS, wallacei ^HNS, and wolfringi ^HNS, which complex is characterized in both major and minor by slender body form and exceptionally long antennal scapes and petiolar pedicel; also in the major by a proportionately small head; and in the minor by a strongly developed nuchal collar. P. leptina ^HNS is distinguished as follows. Major: antennal scape exceeding the occipital corner by more than 2X its own maximum width; head unusually small and occiput narrowed in frontal view; posterior half of head capsule and all of gaster smooth and shiny; propodeal spines reduced to denticles. Minor: occipital neck only moderately developed; propodeal spines reduced to denticles. Both castes: body brown, appendages dark yellow.

Measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.84, HL 0.94, SL 0.84, EL 0.22, PW 0.50.

Paratype minor: HW 0.52, HL 0.72, SL 0.98, EL 0.18, PW 0.40.

Color Major: body uniformly medium brown, appendages brownish yellow.

Minor: gaster light brown, rest of body medium brown, appendages dark yellow.

Range Known only from the type locality.

Biology Unknown.

Figure Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. PERU: Cocha Cashu Research Station, Madre de Dios, 400 m (Diane W. Davidson). Scale bars = 1 mm.