Pheidole fracticeps

Probably a rainforest species. The South American specimens were taken variously from leaf litter and soil. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Known from the type locality (Trinidad); Yasuni Research Station, Puerto Tiputini, Yasuni National Park, Ecuador; two series from Brazil; and Reserva Mbaracayú, Dept. Canindeyú, Paraguay. (Wilson 2003)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago.

Nomenclature

 *  fracticeps. Pheidole fracticeps Wilson, 2003: 133, figs. (s.w.) TRINIDAD.

Description
A member of the aberrans group closest to the Argentine species Pheidole lilloi, differing from it and other species in the group by the following set of traits.

Major: very small; yellow; hypostoma 4-toothed; in side view, occiput juts out like a brow, with the principal transverse carina (in profile) giving it a sharp edge, and the profile of the head below it dipping away as a strong concavity; in full-face view, occiput bearing the principal demarcating transverse carina plus several others that cross as irregular lines; eye elliptical, placed forward to a little more than an Eye Length from the anterior genal border.

Minor: dorsal surface of head and most of mesosoma and waist foveolate, with a near absence of carinulae overall.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.68, HL 0.86, SL 0.30, EL 0.10, PW 0.40. Paratype minor: HW 0.38, HL 0.44 (approximately), SL 0.34, EL 0.06, PW 0.24.

COLOR Major: concolorous medium yellow. Minor: concolorous yellow.



'''Figure. Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor (head partly crushed). Scale bars = 1 mm.'''

Type Locality Information
TRINIDAD: Maracas Valley col. N. A. Weber, May 1936.

Etymology
L fracticeps, broken head, from the appearance of the major occiput.

Additional References
Text and images from this publication used by permission of the author.