Pheidole geraesensis Stantischi

Wilson, E. O., 2003, Pheidole in the New World. A dominant, hyperdiverse ant genus., Cambridge, MA, USA: Harvard University Press : 193

Pheidole geraesensis Stantischi , new status

Pheidole semilaevis var. geraesensis Santschi 1929d: 287.

Types Naturhist. Mus. Basel.

Etymology Named after the type locality.

Diagnosis A member of the diligens group similar to bruesi , stigma , and triconstricta (see also less similar species listed under these names, if in doubt).

Major: head bicolorous (see Color below); dorsum of head posterior to eye level smooth and shiny; a very small patch of rugoreticulum present posterior to each antennal fossa; pronotal dorsum with broken transverse rugulae, a thin anterior fringe of first gastral tergite shagreened; head posterior to eye and all of mesosoma devoid of pilosity; pronotum in dorsal-oblique view a single semicircular convexity; lateral margins of petiole subangulate.

Minor: pronotum in dorsal-oblique view bilobous; most of head and all of mesosoma and waist devoid of pilosity; dorsal margin of first gastral tergite lined exclusively with short, appressed hairs.

measurements (mm) Lectotype major: HW 1.18, HL 1.72, SL 0.78, EL 0.20, PW 0.60. Paralectotype minor: HW 0.60, HL 0.64, SL 0.72, EL 0.12, PW 0.40.

Color Major: head bicolorous, with posterior three-fourths reddish brown and anterior fourth plus mandibles reddish yellow; body plain light brown; appendages dark yellow.

Range Known only from the type locality.

Biology Unknown.

Figure Upper: lectotype, major. Lower: paralectotype, minor. BRAZIL: Minas Gerais. Scale bars = 1 mm.