Pheidole hortonae

In rainforest. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

This taxon was described from Venezuela.

Description
Similar to antillana of the lesser Antilles and Pheidole avia, Pheidole bucculenta, Pheidole guilelmimuelleri, Pheidole hetschkoi, Pheidole heyeri, Pheidole mamore, Pheidole praeses and Pheidole rhytifera of South America, differing in the following combination of traits.

Major: antennal lobe prominent above clypeus in side view; pilosity on dorsal surface of body long, erect to suberect, and very dense, with many of those on pronotum curving backward and many of those on mesonotum curving forward; patch of rugoreticulum present laterad to antennal fossa; rear half of head capsule smooth and shiny; pronotal dorsum mostly rugoreticulate, and dorsum of mesonotum smooth and shiny.

Minor: posterior half of the head and all of the mesosomal dorsum rugoreticulate; pilosity long, erect to suberect, and very dense, with hairs on the pronotal dorsum curving backward and those on the mesonotum curving forward.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.60, HL 1.66, SL 0.70, EL 0.18, PW 0.84. Paratype minor: HW 0.70, HL 0.74, SL 0.70, EL 0.12, PW 0.48.

COLOR Major: body and mandibles medium reddish brown, other appendages brownish yellow.

Minor: body medium brown, appendages light brown except for tarsi, which are yellow.



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

Type Locality Information
VENEZUELA: Estado Aragua, Rancho Grande, 1100 m (William L. and Doris E. Brown).

Etymology
Named in honor of Kathleen M. Horton, expert and indispensable contributor to the preparation of this Pheidole monograph.