Pheidole meinertopsis

The type colony was found on the ground in terra firme forest, nesting in a rotten stick on top of leaf litter. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

This taxon was described from Peru.

Nomenclature

 *  meinertopsis. Pheidole meinertopsis Wilson, 2003: 450, figs. (s.w.) PERU.

Description
DIAGNOSIS Resembling in some traits Pheidole meinerti and Pheidole tambopatae, differing as follows.

Major: reddish yellow; mesonotal convexity well developed; in dorsal-oblique view, dorsal pronotal profile bilobate, including a prominent lobose humerus; dorsal mesosomal pilosity sparse, consisting of a row of well-spaced pairs of setae; petiolar node tapers to a blunt point at apex; postpetiole from above trapezoidal; carinulae originating on frontal lobes spread outward slightly from the midline and extend to but not across the occiput.

Minor: pilosity sparse, on promesonotal profile consisting of evenly spaced pairs of setae; in dorsal-oblique view, pronotal profile bilobate; the humerus and mesonotal convexity angulate; eye set well forward on head; occiput broad and strongly concave.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.88, HL 0.92, SL 0.46, EL 0.12, PW 0.42. Paratype minor: HW 0.44, HL 0.46, SL 0.42, EL 0.06, PW 0.26.

COLOR Major: body and mandibles medium reddish yellow, other appendages clear medium yellow.

Minor: medium reddish yellow except for gaster and appendages, which are plain medium yellow.



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

Type Locality Information
PERU: Cuzco Amazónico, 15 km northeast of Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios, col. Stefan Cover and John E. Tobin.

Etymology
L meinertopsis, resembling (Pheidole) meinerti.

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