Pheidole cuprina

From Wilson (2003): The type colony was found in terra firme forest nesting in a rotten branch on the litter surface of the ground. It comprised a single queen and several hundred workers (Stefan Cover, personal communication). (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
I have seen an additional series of cuprina from Tingo Maria, Madre de Dios, Peru, collected by W. L. Brown. (Wilson 2003)

This taxon was described from Peru.

Description
A small, reddish yellow species belonging to a group of ambiguous species composing the "carapuna complex" (Pheidole boltoni, Pheidole carapuna, Pheidole cornicula, Pheidole eriophora, Pheidole jivaro, Pheidole manuana and Pheidole tristicula), close to the flavens group and possibly better placed there. All are relatively small in size, with the major possessing a reduced mesonotal convexity, as well as cephalic sculpturing that consists entirely of longitudinal carinulae extending to or almost to the occipital border seen in full face. All also have a minor with a broad, concave occiput, which lacks a collar.

Among these species, P. cuprina is close to carapuna but distinguished from it by color and the absence of foveolation on the postpetiolar node of the major and posterior three-fourths of the dorsal head surface of the minor.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW l.02, HL 1.16, SL 0.58, EL 0.16, PW 0.56. Paratype minor: HW 0.60, HL 0.66, SL 0.56, EL 0.12, PW 0.38.

COLOR Major and minor: concolorous medium yellow, with slight reddish tinge.



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

Type Locality Information
PERU: Cuzco Amaz6nico, 15 km northeast of Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios, 200 m (Stefan Cover).

Etymology
L cuprina, of copper, referring to the color.