Pheidole musacolor

This species occurs in montane wet forest. It is known from two ground baits.

Identification
Minor: face smooth and shining; head evenly rounded posteriorly; occipital carina thin; promesonotal groove present, distinctly impressed; lateral pronotum smooth and shiny; katepisternum uniformly foveate; propodeal spines long, similar in length to posterior face of propodeum; gaster smooth and shining; abundant, flexuous, erect setae on mesosomal dorsum, tibiae, and gastral dorsum; color yellow.

Major: inner hypostomal teeth widely spaced, acicular; scape base subterete, narrower than apical portion; face with irregular, rugulose foveolate sculpture anteriorly, to about level of eyes, remainder of face smooth and shiny; promesonotal groove impressed; propodeal spines about half length of posterior face of propodeum; gastral dorsum smooth and shining; abundant, erect, flexuous setae on face, sides of head, mesosomal dorsum, tibiae, and gastral dorsum.

Measurements, minor worker: HW 0.73, HL 0.87, SL 1.20, EL 0.19, WL 1.12, PSL 0.18, PTW 0.14, PPW 0.20, CI 85, SI 164, PSLI 25, PPI 140 (n=1).

Measurements, major worker: HW 1.52, HL 1.56, SL 1.18, EL 0.25, WL 1.42, PSL 0.18, PTW 0.26, PPW 0.35, CI 97, SI 77, PSLI 12, PPI 132 (n=1).

This species appears to be part of a complex of large, yellow species that occur in the mountains of southern Costa Rica. It is similar to the species Pheidole familiaparra, Pheidole savegre, and Pheidole tinamu from the Pacific slope. It is most similar to P. savegre, differing in finer, lighter-colored pilosity, and the major worker has a smoother, less sculptured face. The minor worker of P. familiaparra has a more tapered posterior head and a more pronounced occipital carina. The minor worker of P. tinamu is not readily distinguishable, but the major worker of P. tinamu is distinctive, with strongly heart-shaped head and strongly produced promesonotum. See additional notes under P. tinamu.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Costa Rica.

Nomenclature

 *  musacolor. Pheidole musacolor Longino, 2019: 48, fig. 55 (w.) COSTA RICA.

Type Material

 * HOLOTYPE: 1 major worker, Costa Rica, Limón: Cerro Plátano, 9.86621 -83.24203 ±50m, 1110m, 19-Jun-2015, cloud forest, along steep ridge near peak, at bait (ADMAC, Ba-E-03-1-03-03) [MUCR, unique specimen identifier CASENT0636691].
 * PARATYPES: major, minor workers: same data as holotype [CAS, DZUP, JTLC, MCZC, USNM].

Etymology
The color of a banana.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Longino J. T. 2019. Pheidole (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of Middle American wet forest. Zootaxa 4599: 1-126