Pheidole ecuadorana

This species is only known from type specimens. They were collected in a clearing created by a tree fall in second-growth forest. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

This taxon was described from Ecuador.

Description
A medium-sized bicolorous (major) or light brown (minor) species with extremely long pilosity in both castes; narrow occiput with following collar in the minor; high, subangular humerus in dorsal-oblique view in the major; and mostly smooth shiny head and pronotum in both castes. The propodeal spiracle of the minor is unusual in its elliptical shape and position on the propodeum. Most similar to Pheidole erratilis, Pheidole flavifrons and Pheidole petersoni, but differing in many details of body shape, sculpturing, pilosity, as illustrated, and in color.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.82, HL 0.82, SL 0.50, EL 0.10, PW 0.42. Paratype minor: HW 0.50, HL 0.54, SL 0.50, EL 0.06, PW 0.32.

COLOR Major: head yellow with large, circular, medium-brown spot on vertex as shown; appendages yellow; rest of body brownish yellow.

Minor: concolorous light brown.



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

Type Locality Information
ECUADOR: Endesa Forest Reserve, Pichincha Province, col. Leeanne Tennant-Alonso.

Etymology
Named after the country of the type locality.