Pheidole hazenae

Zona Buenos Aires, Colombia: in second-growth forest. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Known only from the type locality and a single Colombian accession (Zona Buenos Aires, 600–800 m, Charles Kugler). In the second series the specimens are larger and darker than the type and may represent a distinct species. (Wilson 2003)

This taxon was described from Ecuador.

Description
A medium-sized, yellow member of the flavens group, similar to Pheidole camilla but differing in the major caste in the moderately convex profile of the head (not bulging as in camilla), exclusively carinulate (as opposed to partly rugulose and rugoreticulate) sculpturing of the dorsal head surface, and the vertical, forward-curving propodeal spine as viewed from the side.

At 50–60X the tips of the mesosomal and gastral hairs are not flattened as in camilla. Also similar in some features to Pheidole alticola, Pheidole euryscopa, Pheidole heterothrix, Pheidole rectiluma, Pheidole rectisentis, Pheidole rectispina and Pheidole rectitrudis, and notably different in others as illustrated. Minor: not diagnosed.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Major: HW 0.86, HL 0.90, SL 0.46, EL 0.10, PW 0.40.

COLOR Major: concolorous yellow.



'''Figure. Unique holotype, major. Scale bars = 1 mm.'''

Type Locality Information
ECUADOR: Rio Palenque Station, 47 km south of Santo Domingo, Pachincha (Stewart B. and Jarmila Kukalová-Peck).

Etymology
Named in honor of Anne-Eve Hazen, in recognition of her outstanding contribution in service and support to tropical conservation, hence the habitats in which the Pheidole ants will continue to exist.