Pheidole debilis

Identification
With the morphometric profile of Pheidole gnomus, Pheidole mera, Pheidole sparsisculpta, and Pheidole sospes. Minor worker: face foveolate with overlying rugulae versus face uniformly foveolate, without overlying rugulae (mera, sospes) or with extensive smooth areas (sparsisculpta); lateral pronotum foveolate versus with smooth shiny patch (mera); minor worker of gnomus unknown. Major worker: vertex lobes weakly sculptured with faint foveolate sculpture versus vertex lobes with pronounced transversely arcuate rugae (gnomus), or coarsely reticulate rugose (sospes), or completely smooth and shining (sparsisculpta); head in lateral view normally convex versus with pronounced medial bulge on face (gnomus); lacking antennal scrobe versus with shallow but distinct antennal scrobe (mera, sospes); promesonotal groove present versus promesonotum evenly arched, with no trace of promesonotal groove (mera). (Longino 2009)

Distribution
This taxon was described from Costa Rica.

Nomenclature

 *  debilis. Pheidole debilis Longino, 2009: 23, fig. 4 (s.w.) COSTA RICA.

Worker
Minor Measurements (paratype): HL 0.52, HW 0.49, HLA 0.17, SL 0.42, EL 0.09, ML 0.60, PSL 0.06, PMG 0.00, SPL 0.03, PTW 0.09, PPW 0.14, CI 93, SI 86, PSLI 11, PMGI 0, SPLI 6, PPI 152.

Measurements (n=13): HL 0.46-0.55, HW 0.42-0.49, SL 0.36-0.46, CI 88-93, SI 84-95.

Clypeus smooth with 1-3 longitudinal rugulae; eye small, with fewer than 10 ommatidia; face densely foveolate, overlain with reticulate rugulae; margin of vertex flattened with weak median impression; occipital carina narrow, not visible in full face view; scape with abundant subdecumbent to suberect setae, mostly shorter than maximum width of scape; promesonotal groove weakly impressed; propodeal spines present; entire mesosoma foveolate, overlain with faint reticulate rugulae on promesonotal dorsum; abundant setae on promesonotal dorsum; dorsal (outer) margin of hind tibia with short decumbent pilosity, no long erect setae; first gastral tergum smooth and shining; gastral dorsum with moderately abundant suberect setae; color variable, light to dark red brown.

Major Measurements (holotype): HL 1.13, HW 0.94, HLA 0.30, SL 0.48, EL 0.14, ML 0.81, PSL 0.06, PMG 0.02, SPL 0.06, PTW 0.19, PPW 0.38, IHT 0.18, OHT 0.41, CI 83, SI 51, PSLI 5, PMGI 2, SPLI 6, PPI 204, HTI 43.

Measurements (n=11): HL 0.92-1.15, HW 0.80-1.04, SL 0.42-0.52, CI 81-88, SI 50-56.

Mandibles smooth and shiny; clypeus smooth and shallowly concave, with shallow anterior notch, and very weak posteromedian gibbosity or carina; face with longitudinal rugulae on cheeks and between frontal carinae, grading to faint foveolate sculpture overlain with reticulate rugulae on scrobe, fading to very faint foveolate sculpture on posterior vertex lobes; scrobe a faint, unbounded impression; head with abundant suberect setae projecting from sides of head in face view; scape smooth and shining, terete at base, with subdecumbent pubescence and scattered longer suberect setae; hypostomal margin flat; median tooth small; inner hypostomal teeth pointed, stout, closer to midline than to outer hypostomal teeth; promesonotal groove impressed; propodeal spines present; mesosoma with a mix of foveolate, smooth, and rugulose sculpture; dorsal (outer) margin of hind tibia with short decumbent pilosity, no long erect hairs; pilosity abundant on mesosomal dorsum; first gastral tergite smooth and shining, with abundant flexuous erect setae; color orange brown.