Pheidole rectitrudis

Evidently uncommon. The type colony was collected by Stefan Cover in the soil of lowland rainforest beneath a log. The Mexican colonies were found in cloud forest. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
From Wilson (2003): Known from the type locality and from Peñas Blancas Valley, Costa Rica (Longino 1997); and near San Andres Tuxtla (1500 m) and Orizaba (1600 m), Mexico, col. P. S. Ward.

This taxon was described from Costa Rica.

Description
DIAGNOSIS Similar to Pheidole bilimeki, Pheidole floridana, Pheidole hazenae, Pheidole rectiluma, Pheidole rectisentis, Pheidole rectispina, Pheidole sospes and Pheidole stomachosa, differing as follows.

Major: propodeal spines robust, half as long as propodeal basal face, vertical to propodeum; frontal lobes, vertex, and dorsal midline strip to occiput carinulate and rugulose; occipital lobes smooth with scattered foveae; sides of head rugoreticulate; humeri longitudinally rugulose, and promesonotal dorsum transversely carinulate; postpetiole from above conulate.

Minor: all of dorsal surface of head from eye level to occiput rugoreticulate, as well as all of promesonotal dorsum; propodeal spines long, robust, and vertical to propodeal basal face.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.90, HL 0.98, SL 0.48, EL 0.12, PW 0.48. Paratype minor: HW 0.50, HL 0.54, SL 0.44, EL 0.08, PW 0.32.

COLOR Major: body, scape, and mandibles dark, almost blackish brown; legs and funiculus medium brown.

Minor: head, mesosoma, petiole, and appendages medium brown; postpetiole and gaster dark brown.



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

Type Locality Information
COSTA RICA: La Selva Biological Station, near Puerto Viejo, col. Stefan Cover.

Etymology
L rectitrudis, erect pike or pointed pole, alluding to propodeal spines.

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