Pheidole sitiens

Nothing is known about the biology of sitiens.

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Nearctic Region: United States.

Worker
Minor

Nomenclature

 *  sitiens. Pheidole sitiens Wilson, 2003: 348, figs. (s.w.) U.S.A.

Description
A member of the fallax group, similar to Pheidole ariel, Pheidole desertorum, Pheidole hyatti, Pheidole portalensis, Pheidole skwarrae and Pheidole vistana, distinguished as follows.

Major: antennal scape just attaining the occipital corner; propodeal spines equilaterally triangular; anterior and lateral margins of pronotum covered by continuous “wraparound” carinulae; posterior half and entire median strip of head, as well as promesonotal dorsum and all of gaster, smooth and shiny; pilosity dense, erect to suberect, and long, many of the hairs as long as Eye Length.

Minor: propodeal spines reduced to denticles; posterior half of head and all of pronotal dorsum and of gaster smooth and shiny; occiput slightly narrowed, with very thin nuchal collar.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.48, HL 1.60, SL 1.18, EL 0.24, PW 0.40. Paratype minor: HW 0.60, HL 0.76, SL 0.96, EL 0.20, PW 0.40.

COLOR Major: concolorous light brownish brown.

Minor: body plain medium brown; mandibles and tarsi dark yellow; other appendages light brown.



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

Type Material
TEXAS: 24 km northwest of Carrizo Springs, Dimmit Co., col. O. F. Francke, J. V. Moody, F. W. Merickel.

Etymology
L sitiens, thirsty, referring to life in the dry habitat of the type locality.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Wilson, E.O. 2003. Pheidole in the New World: A Dominant, Hyperdiverse Genus. Harvard University Press