Pheidole eriophora

The type colony was collected in montane rainforest. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Colombia.

Nomenclature

 *  eriophora. Pheidole eriophora Wilson, 2003: 685, figs. (s.w.) COLOMBIA.

Description
DIAGNOSIS Somewhat similar to the "carapuna complex" (Pheidole boltoni, Pheidole carapuna, Pheidole cornicula, Pheidole cuprina, Pheidole jivaro and Pheidole manuana).

Major: reddish yellow; occiput narrowed, giving the head capsule plus mandibles an overall elliptical shape in full-face view; some hairs on dorsal surfaces of head curved, giving a locally woolly look to the pilosity; humerus prominent, subangulate from above; propodeal spines vertical; postpetiole from above oval; most of posterior third of head, including occiput, smooth and shiny.

Minor: propodeal dorsum transversely carinulate; sides ofpropodeum with scattered short rugulae; upper mesopleuron foveolate; propodeal spines reduced to denticles.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.12, HL 1.26, SL 0.60, EL 0.14, PW 0.64. Paratype minor: HW 0.58, HL 0.62, SL 0.52, EL 0.08, PW 0.40.

COLOR Major: body and mandibles reddish yellow, legs and antennae plain medium yellow. Minor: body and mandibles plain brownish yellow, legs and antennae plain medium yellow.



'''Figure. Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. Scale bars = 1 mm.'''

Type Material
COLOMBIA: Pance, Mun. de Cali, Valle, 1700 m, col. William L. Brown and S. Chaplin.

Etymology
Gr eriophora, wool-bearing, alluding to the curving, wool-like pilosity of the mesosoma.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Wilson E. O. 2003. Pheidole in the New World. A dominant, hyperdiverse ant genus. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, [ix] + 794 pp.