Pheidole alpestris, Wilson, E. O., 2003

Wilson, E. O., 2003, Pheidole in the New World. A dominant, hyperdiverse ant genus., Cambridge, MA, USA: Harvard University Press : 166

Pheidole alpestris new species

Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.

etymology L alpestris , of high mountains.

diagnosis A small, brown member of the diligens group distinguished in both major and minor by the low mesonotal convexity, shallow metanotal depression in side view, and hence a more cylindrical form of the mesosoma overall in side view than is usual for Pheidole ; a small convexity atop the metanotal depression in side view; large, robust propodeal spines; and dense erect to suberect pilosity over the entire body; pubescence absent.

Major: a secondary convexity on the pronotum and a small, angular subpostpetiolar process evident in side view. Minor: ventral profile of head capsule flat in side view.

Very close to, and possibly synonymous with, cameroni , but distinguished by, among other traits, much denser pilosity and the absence of carinulae mesad to the eye in the major.

Measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.02, HL 1.02, SL 0.78, EL 0.20, PW 0.54.

Paratype minor: HW 0.54, HL 0.62, SL 0.44, EL 0.12, PW 0.34.

Color Major: concolorous medium brown.

Minor: concolorous light brown.

range Known only from the type locality.

biology Two colonies of the types were taken by Ward under a stone in Baccharis scrub, at roadside.

Figure Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. ECUADOR: 6 km southeast of Pifo, Pichincha, 0°15'S 78°18'W, 2900 m (Philip S. Ward). Scale bars = 1 mm.