Pheidole gigaflavens

Nothing is known about the biology of gigaflavens.

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Known from the type locality and Club Las Palmas, Santa Cruz, Bolivia. (Wilson 2003)

This taxon was described from Argentina.

Description
An unusual species that mixes traits of the tristis and flavens groups, and is tentatively placed in the former.

Major: postpetiolar node from above very wide, bell-shaped; mesonotal convexity rudimentary; propodeal spine broad, and equilaterally triangular; petiolar node in side view tapered to a point; occiput narrower than anterior clypeal border; pilosity very sparse.

Minor: all of body except frontal triangle, mid-clypeus, and gaster foveolate and opaque; humerus subangulate in dorsaloblique view; propodeal spines reduced to denticles; petiolar node in side view tapered to a blunt point; pilosity very sparse.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.36, HL 1.46, SL 0.64, EL 0.20, PW 0.66. Paratype minor: HW 0.54, HL 0.62, SL 0.58, EL 0.10, PW 0.34.

COLOR Major: body concolorous medium reddish brown, legs light reddish brown.

Minor: body medium yellowish brown (head darker than rest), legs light yellowish brown.



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

Type Locality Information
ARGENTINA: Santiago del Estero (James C. Trager).

Etymology
Gr L gigaflavens, giant flavens, alluding to closeness to flavens group and large size.