Pheidole carapunco

The biology of this species is unknown.

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
A temperate montane Argentine species, known only from Salta and Tucumán. (Wilson 2003)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Argentina.

Nomenclature

 *  carapunco. Pheidole carapunco Kusnezov, 1952b: 82 (s.w.q.m.) ARGENTINA. See also: Wilson, 2003: 389.

Description
From Wilson (2003): Placed tentatively in the flavens group, but with a habitus intermediate to that of the tristis group. Major: large (for flavens group); carinulae originating on anterior margin of the eye spread forward from one another in traveling to the genal border; a broad, continuous band of rugoreticulum extends from the inner margin of one eye to that of the other across the vertex. The true characteristics of this species will remain problematic until fresh material is collected.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Syntype major: HW 1.20, HL 1.24, SL 0.62, EL 0.20, PW 0.54. Minor: HW 0.52, HL 0.60, SL 0.48, EL 0.10, PW 0.14.

COLOR Major: concolorous medium reddish brown. Minor: head and gaster yellowish brown; mesosoma, waist, and appendages dark yellow.



'''Figure. Upper: syntype, major (a composite from 2 damaged specimens; Carapunco, between Tafi de Valle and Infiernillos, Tucumán, 2600 m, N. Kusnezov). Lower: minor (El Rey, Salta, 2200 m, N. Kusnezov). The major syntype is partly decayed, and may have lost most of its pilosity. The El Rey minor is undecayed, and the pilosity appears intact. Scale bars = 1 mm.'''

Type Material
Carapunco, between Tafi de Valle and Infiernillos, Tucumán, 2600 m, N. Kusnezov. and

Etymology
Named after the type locality. (Wilson 2003)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Kusnezov N. 1978. Hormigas argentinas: clave para su identificación. Miscelánea. Instituto Miguel Lillo 61:1-147 + 28 pl.