Pheidole probolonotum

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Pheidole probolonotum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Tribe: Attini
Genus: Pheidole
Species: P. probolonotum
Binomial name
Pheidole probolonotum
Longino, 2019

Pheidole probolonotum CASENT0646490 p.jpg

Pheidole probolonotum CASENT0646490 d.jpg

Paratype Labels

This species occurs in lowland rainforest. Workers recruit to ground baits and occur in Winkler samples of sifted litter and rotten wood. A nest was discovered in a vertical clay bank in forest. The entrance was an irregular opening, leading to shallow chambers. So far this species is known only from Los Tuxtlas Biological Station.

Identification

Minor: face partially smooth and shining, with discrete patches of faint foveolation scattered over surface; head weakly emarginate behind; promesonotal groove strongly impressed, mesonotum strongly produced, angulate; pronotum smooth and shiny; katepisternum foveolate; propodeal spines about two thirds length of posterior face of propodeum; gaster smooth and shining; pronotum with 0-2 pairs short stiff erect setae; tibiae lack erect setae; gaster with very sparse, fully appressed short pubescence, 0-few longer erect setae; color dark brown.

Major: inner hypostomal teeth widely spaced, acicular; scape base terete; face foveolate throughout, overlain with reticulate rugulae; mesonotum strongly produced; propodeal spines about two thirds length of posterior face of propodeum; gastral dorsum smooth and shiny; pilosity pattern similar to worker, with dorsal surfaces nearly devoid of erect setae.

Measurements, minor worker: HW 0.60, HL 0.67, SL 0.79, EL 0.16, WL 0.88, PSL 0.10, PTW 0.14, PPW 0.21, CI 91, SI 130, PSLI 16, PPI 148 (n=1).

Measurements, major worker: HW 0.93, HL 0.99, SL 0.73, EL 0.18, WL 0.95, PSL 0.12, PTW 0.21, PPW 0.33, CI 94, SI 78, PSLI 13, PPI 154 (n=1).

This species is a version of Pheidole plebecula. Pheidole plebecula is highly geographically variable and P. probolonotum is within the global range of variation of P. plebecula. However, it is sympatric with a regional form of P. plebecula. Compared to the regional form, the dorsal pilosity is reduced and the face of the minor worker has a mix of smooth and foveolate sculpture (smooth in the regional form of P. plebecula).

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 18.58461° to 18.58461°.

 
North
Temperate
North
Subtropical
Tropical South
Subtropical
South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Mexico (type locality).

Distribution based on AntMaps

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Distribution based on AntWeb specimens

Check data from AntWeb

Countries Occupied

Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species.
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Estimated Abundance

Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species.
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Biology

Castes

Worker

Minor

Images from AntWeb

Pheidole probolonotum CASENT0646485 h.jpgPheidole probolonotum CASENT0646485 p.jpgPheidole probolonotum CASENT0646485 d.jpgPheidole probolonotum CASENT0646485 l.jpg
ParatypeWorker (minor). Specimen code CASENT0646485. Photographer Michele Esposito.

Major

Images from AntWeb

Pheidole probolonotum CASENT0646490 h2.jpg
ParatypeWorker (major/soldier). Specimen code CASENT0646490. Photographer Michele Esposito.

Nomenclature

The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.

  • probolonotum. Pheidole probolonotum Longino, 2019: 54, fig. 41 (w.) MEXICO.

Type Material

  • HOLOTYPE: 1 major worker, Mexico, Veracruz: Estación de Biología Los Tuxtlas, 18.58461 -95.07375 ±20 m, 150 m, 31-May-2016, mature wet forest, nest in clay bank (J. Longino, JTL9560) [UNAM, unique specimen identifier CASENT0631751].
  • PARATYPES: major, minor workers: same data as holotype [CAS, DZUP, JTLC, MCZC, UNAM, USNM].

Description

Etymology

In reference to the strongly projecting mesonotum.

References

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

  • Longino J. T. 2019. Pheidole (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of Middle American wet forest. Zootaxa 4599: 1-126