Pheidole rectitrudis

Evidently uncommon. The type colony was collected by Stefan Cover in the soil of lowland rainforest beneath a log. The Mexican colonies were found in cloud forest. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
From Wilson (2003): Known from the type locality and from Peñas Blancas Valley, Costa Rica (Longino 1997); and near San Andres Tuxtla (1500 m) and Orizaba (1600 m), Mexico, col. P. S. Ward.

This taxon was described from Costa Rica.

Nomenclature

 *  rectitrudis. Pheidole rectitrudis Wilson, 2003: 496, figs. (s.w.) COSTA RICA.

Description
DIAGNOSIS Similar to Pheidole bilimeki, Pheidole floridana, Pheidole hazenae, Pheidole rectiluma, Pheidole rectisentis, Pheidole rectispina, Pheidole sospes and Pheidole stomachosa, differing as follows.

Major: propodeal spines robust, half as long as propodeal basal face, vertical to propodeum; frontal lobes, vertex, and dorsal midline strip to occiput carinulate and rugulose; occipital lobes smooth with scattered foveae; sides of head rugoreticulate; humeri longitudinally rugulose, and promesonotal dorsum transversely carinulate; postpetiole from above conulate.

Minor: all of dorsal surface of head from eye level to occiput rugoreticulate, as well as all of promesonotal dorsum; propodeal spines long, robust, and vertical to propodeal basal face.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.90, HL 0.98, SL 0.48, EL 0.12, PW 0.48. Paratype minor: HW 0.50, HL 0.54, SL 0.44, EL 0.08, PW 0.32.

COLOR Major: body, scape, and mandibles dark, almost blackish brown; legs and funiculus medium brown.

Minor: head, mesosoma, petiole, and appendages medium brown; postpetiole and gaster dark brown.



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

Type Locality Information
COSTA RICA: La Selva Biological Station, near Puerto Viejo, col. Stefan Cover.

Etymology
L rectitrudis, erect pike or pointed pole, alluding to propodeal spines.

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