Pheidole fullerae

The type colony was found nesting in a very small dead stick at the edge of a forest stream; the nest contained a seed cache. (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: Ecuador.

Nomenclature

 *  fullerae. Pheidole fullerae Wilson, 2003: 691, figs. (s.w.) ECUADOR.

Description
DIAGNOSIS Similar in various respects to Pheidole antillana, Pheidole gauthieri, Pheidole guayasana, Pheidole hetschkoi, Pheidole heyeri, Pheidole napoensis and Pheidole securigera, differing as follows from these and other tristis group species.

Major: antennallobes project forward and downward as prominent lobes, in side view; shallow antennal scrobes present, each with a small patch of rugoreticulum behind it; almost all of the remaining surface of the head, up to and including the occiput, carinulate; humeri in dorsal-oblique view very prominent, lobose, and 2X higher than mesonotal convexity relative to the metanotal groove; comers of humeri rugoreticulate; postpetiole from above elliptical.

Minor: entire body almost completely smooth and shiny; propodeal spines reduced to denticles; promesonotal central half flat in side view; occiput narrow with a nuchal collar.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.44, HL 1.44, SL 0.72, EL 0.16, PW 0.72. Paratype minor: HW 0.54, HL 0.58, SL 0.64, EL 0.08, PW 0.34.

COLOR Major: mandibles dark reddish brown, body medium reddish brown, other appendages light reddish brown.

Minor: body medium reddish brown, appendages dark brownish yellow.



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

Type Material
ECUADOR: Sucua, 16 km south of Macas, 2°28'S 78°1O'W, col. Gary Umphrey.

Etymology
Named after Kathryn Fuller, President of World Wildlife Fund-U. S. and champion of tropical biodiversity.