Pheidole rubiceps, Wilson, E. O., 2003

Wilson, E. O., 2003, Pheidole in the New World. A dominant, hyperdiverse ant genus., Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press : 345

Pheidole rubiceps new species

Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.

Etymology L rubiceps , red-headed.

diagnosis A member of the fallax group, closest to cardinalis , caribbaea , kukrana , mantilla , and obscurior (also scan alienata , fallax , jelskii , laniger , lattkei , lovejoyi, petrensis , puttemansi , roushae , susannae , tobini ), and distinguished by the following combination of traits.

Major: tip of antennal scape approaches occipital corner to within scape maximum width; posterior dorsal profde of head very weakly concave; bicolorous, with reddish yellow head and brown body; propodeal spine long and thin; postpetiole diamondshaped; pronotum bare of carinulae.

Minor: propodeal spine moderately long and very thin (needle-like); mesonotal convexity angulate; nuchal collar present. Measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.22, HL 1.36, SL 1.12, EL 0.20, PW 0.60. Paratype minor: HW 0.60, HL 0.82, SL 1.20, EL 0.16, PW 0.42.

color Major: bicolorous, with head and mandibles reddish yellow and body a contrasting plain medium brown; legs light brown except for tarsi, which are yellow.

Range Known only from the type locality.

biology Unknown.

figure Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. VENEZUELA: Rancho Grande, 1100 m (R. W. Poole). Scale bars = 1 mm.