Pheidole cyrtostela

The type colony was found nesting in the soil of grazed cerrado (tropical savanna); workers were attracted to bait. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

This taxon was described from Brazil.

Description
With Pheidole camptostela, unique within Pheidole for the sharply bent petiole and depressed petiolar node, as seen from the side, in both major and minor. Distinguished from camptostela by the less exaggerated form of the petiolar modification, the presence of rugoreticulum on the head of the major, and the broader, less concave occiput of the minor.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.90, HL 0.92, SL 0.64, EL 0.16, PW 0.46. Paratype minor: HW 0.42, HL 0.52, SL 0.58, EL 0.12, PW 0.30.

COLOR Major and minor: body and appendages medium yellow except for gaster, which is medium brown.



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

Type Locality Information
BRAZIL: Souza Lima, Várzea Grande, Mato Grosso, col. L. A. Wood.

Etymology
Gr cyrtostela, curved column, referring to the distinctive petiole.