Pheidole hispaniolae

The type colony was found in a rotting log in second-growth mountain rainforest. Other colonies were found in pine and mixed pine-hardwood forests. One nest contained males when discovered in April. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Known from the type locality and other sites at 1100–1500 m in the Dominican Republic. (Wilson 2003)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Dominican Republic, Greater Antilles.

Worker
minor

Nomenclature

 *  hispaniolae. Pheidole hispaniolae Wilson, 2003: 707, figs. (s.w.) DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.

Description
DIAGNOSIS Similar in various traits to Pheidole balzani, Pheidole brunnescens, Pheidole exarata, Pheidole excubitor, Pheidole fabricator, Pheidole germaini, Pheidole nigella, Pheidole prattorum, Pheidole sabina, Pheidole sarpedon, Pheidole tristis, Pheidole tristops and Pheidole unicornis, differing as follows.

Major: head subquadrate, with gently convex sides and deep occipital cleft; promesonotal profile flat; propodeal spines thin, almost needle-like; petiolar node in side view tapered to a blunt point; postpetiolar node 2X broader than petiolar node in dorsal view, and cone-shaped; posterior third of dorsal head surface smooth and mostly shiny, sprinkled with widely spaced foveae; no rugoreticulum present anywhere; promesonotum carinulate.

Minor: occiput broad, lacking nuchal collar; humeri dentate; promesonotal profile smoothly semicircular; promesonotum partially carinulate; most of body smooth and shiny.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.64, HL 1.86, SL 0.86, EL 0.20, PW 0.78. Paratype minor: HW 0.66, HL 0.74, SL 0.78, EL 0.14, PW 0.46.

COLOR Major: body light reddish brown, mandibles medium reddish brown, legs plain medium yellow.

Minor: light to medium brownish yellow, legs plain medium yellow.



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

Type Material
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: 14 km northwest of Bonao, 19°02'N 70°30'W, 1100 m, col. Philip S. Ward.

Etymology
Named after the Greater Antillean island of origin.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Perez-Gelabert D. E. 2008. Arthropods of Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti): A checklist and bibliography. Zootaxa 1831:1-530.