Pheidole alpestris

Two colonies of the types were taken by Ward under a stone in Baccharis scrub, at roadside. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

This taxon was described from Ecuador.

Description
A small, brown member of the diligens group distinguished in both major and minor by the low mesonotal convexity, shallow metanotal depression in side view, and hence a more cylindrical form of the mesosoma overall in side view than is usual for Pheidole; a small convexity atop the metanotal depression in side view; large, robust propodeal spines; and dense erect to suberect pilosity over the entire body; pubescence absent.

Major: a secondary convexity on the pronotum and a small, angular subpostpetiolar process evident in side view.

Minor: ventral profile of head capsule flat in side view. Very close to, and possibly synonymous with, Pheidole cameroni, but distinguished by, among other traits, much denser pilosity and the absence of carinulae mesad to the eye in the major.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.02, HL 1.02, SL 0.78, EL 0.20, PW 0.54. Paratype minor: HW 0.54, HL 0.62, SL 0.44, EL 0.12, PW 0.34.

COLOR Major: concolorous medium brown.

Minor: concolorous light brown.



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

Type Locality Information
ECUADOR: 6 km southeast of Pifo, Pichincha, 0°15'S 78°18'W, 2900 m, col. Philip S. Ward.

Etymology
L alpestris, of high mountains.