Pheidole pinicola

The type series were collected in pine forest. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Mexico.

Nomenclature

 *  pinicola. Pheidole pinicola Wilson, 2003: 158, figs. (s.w.) MEXICO.

Description
A member of the crassicornis group distinguished by the following combination of traits.

Major: occiput, frontal triangle, and central piece of clypeus smooth and shiny, area between frontal carinae and eyes heavily rugoreticulate, and rest of dorsal surface of head longitudinally carinulate; all of mesosoma, waist, and anterior half of central strip of gastral tergite foveolate and opaque; pronotal dorsum transversely carinulate; pronotal profile in dorsal-oblique view bilobous.

Minor: all of head, mesosoma, and waist, and most of the first gastral tergite foveolate and opaque; anterior strip of pronotal dorsum transversely rugulose; mandibles and tarsi dark yellow.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.30, HL 1.30, SL 0.80, EL 0.20, PW 0.66. Paratype minor: HW 0.66, HL 0.76, SL 0.80, EL 0.16, PW 0.46.

COLOR Major: head and appendages light reddish brown; rest of body medium reddish brown.

Minor: body medium reddish brown, mandibles and tarsi dark yellow.



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

Type Material
MEXICO: pine forest, km 225 on Highway 85, Hidalgo (Cornell University Mexico Field Party 1965).

Etymology
L pinicola, pine-dweller, based on habitat of type colony.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Vasquez-Bolanos M. 2011. Checklist of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Mexico. Dugesiana 18(1): 95-133.
 * Vásquez-Bolaños M. 2011. Lista de especies de hormigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) para México. Dugesiana 18: 95-133
 * Wilson, E.O. 2003. Pheidole in the New World: A Dominant, Hyperdiverse Genus. Harvard University Press