Pheidole similigena

Nothing is known about this ant’s biology.

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
From Wilson (2003): In addition to the types from Las Villas Province, I have seen specimens from Sierra de Mesa, Pinar del Rio, also in Cuba, col. Jorge Fontenla.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Cuba.

Nomenclature

 *  similigena. Pheidole similigena Wheeler, W.M. 1937b: 446 (s.w.) CUBA. See also: Wilson, 2003: 508.

Description
From Wilson (2003): DIAGNOSIS Especially similar to Pheidole terresi of Hispaniola but also sharing traits with Pheidole amabilis, Pheidole arhuaca, Pheidole citrina, Pheidole crinita, Pheidole delicata, Pheidole hedlundorum, Pheidole laselva, Pheidole mallota, Pheidole melastomae, Pheidole nitidicollis and Pheidole tillandsiarum, differing as follows.

Major: light reddish brown; eyes very small, Eye Length less than one-tenth Head Width; head subrectangular, with moderately deep occipital cleft; mesonotal convexity present but rudimentary; carinulae cover most of anterior half of dorsal head surface, and rest of body entirely smooth and shiny; propodeal spines moderately long, and thick at base; postpetiole from above elliptical, with angulate sides.

Minor: body almost completely smooth and shiny; eyes relatively small; occiput broad, its margin flat in full-face view; propodeal spines moderately long and thin.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Lectotype major: HW 0.96, HL 1.08, SL 0.50, EL 0.08, PW 0.46. Paralectotype minor: HW 0.44, HL 0.50, SL 0.44, EL 0.08, PW 0.30.

COLOR Major: concolorous light reddish brown except for gaster, which is medium reddish brown.

Minor: concolorous light yellowish brown.



'''Figure. Upper: lectotype, major. Lower: paralectotype, minor. Scale bars = 1 mm.'''

Type Material
Three soldiers and four workers, May 9-11, 1936. CUBA: Buenos Aires, Trinidad Mts., Las Villas, 750–1100 m, col. P. J. Darlington.

Etymology
L similigena, similar cheeks (genae), allusion unknown. (Wilson 2003)

Additional References
Wheeler, W. M. 1937b. Ants mostly from the mountains of Cuba. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. 81: 439–465.

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