Pheidole calens

P. calens appears to be a commensal of the large harvesting ants in the genus Pogonomyrmex. Wheeler (1901h), in his notes to Auguste Forel on the type series, reported as follows: “This feeble Pheidole was found in a number of instances inhabiting small nests within the precincts of the Pogonomyrmex colonies, either on the denuded disks or on the slopes of the gravel cones near the entrances of the agriculturals. It was seen more frequently in this association than either Dorymyrmex pyramicus or Forelius mccooki, and was not seen nesting by itself as is very frequently the case with these species.” (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

This taxon was described from Mexico.

Description
From Wilson (2003): DIAGNOSIS A member of the pilifera subgroup” of the larger pilifera group, comprising Pheidole calens, Pheidole californica, Pheidole carrolli, Pheidole cavigenis, Pheidole clementensis, Pheidole creightoni, Pheidole hoplitica, Pheidole littoralis, Pheidole micula, Pheidole pilifera, Pheidole polymorpha, Pheidole rugulosa, Pheidole senex, Pheidole soritis, Pheidole tepicana and Pheidole torosa, which subgroup is distinguished by the following traits. Major: dorsal head surface extensively sculptured; occipital lobes horizontally rugulose (or, in littoralis, foveate, in carrolli, smooth, and in micula and soritis, carinulate); postpetiole from above diamond-shaped, trapezoidal, or spinose. Minor: eye medium-sized to large.

P. calens is diagnosed within this group by the following suite of traits. Major: posterior dorsal profile of head weakly concave; humerus in dorsal-oblique view prominent and sub-rectangular; mesonotal convexity prominent; petiolar node in side view thin; postpetiole from above laterally spinose.

Minor: eyes very large; propodeal spine in side view equilaterally triangular.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Syntype major: HW 1.30, HL 1.50, SL 0.64, EL 0.14, PW 0.66. Syntype minor: HW 0.56, HL 0.64, SL 0.50, EL 0.20, PW 0.34.

COLOR Major: concolorous light reddish brown.

Minor: body concolorous plain medium brown, mandibles yellow, legs light brown.



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

Type Material
and - as reported in Wilson (2003)

Type Locality Information
MEXICO: Aguascalientes (W. M. Wheeler). (Wilson 2003)

Etymology
Unknown

Additional References
Forel, A. 1901. 1, Fourmis mexicaines récoltées par M. le professeur W.-M. Wheeler; 2, A propos de la classification des fourmis. Ann. Soc. Entomol. Belg. 45: 123–141.

Wheeler, W. M. 1901. The compound and mixed nests of American ants, Part II: The known cases of social symbiosis among American ants. Am. Nat. 35: 513–539.

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