Pheidole yucatana

From a nest in dry soil at roadside. A winged queen was present in the nest on 25 July. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

This taxon was described from Mexico.

Description
A member of the “bicarinata complex” of the larger pilifera group, comprising Pheidole agricola, Pheidole aurea, Pheidole barbata, Pheidole bicarinata, Pheidole centeotl, Pheidole cerebrosior, Pheidole defecta, Pheidole gilvescens, Pheidole macclendoni, Pheidole macrops, Pheidole marcidula, Pheidole paiute, Pheidole pinealis, Pheidole xerophila, Pheidole yaqui and Pheidole yucatana, which complex is characterized by the large to very large, forward-set eyes in both castes; and, in the major, the occipital lobes lacking any sculpturing (except in aurea); the posterior half of the head capsule almost entirely smooth and shiny; and the postpetiolar node seen from above oval, elliptical, or laterally subangular (cornulate in cerebrosior).

P. yucatana is distinguished by the following combination of traits.

Major: in side view, promesonotal juncture subangulate; propodeal spines reduced to right angles; occiput sprinkled with sparse but coarse foveae; faint carinulae extend from behind eye to occipital corners; postpetiolar node from above laterally subangulate.

Minor: in side view propodeal spines reduced to right angles.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.04, HL 1.20, SL 0.58, EL 0.10, PW 0.48.

Paratype minor: HW 0.52, HL 0.60, SL 0.54, EL 0.14, PW 0.32.

COLOR Major: body medium reddish brown, appendages light reddish brown.

Minor: body light plain brown, tarsi and tibiae yellow, rest of appendages brownish yellow.



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

Type Locality Information
MEXICO: 11 km south of Progreso (E. O. Wilson).

Etymology
L yucatana, from the Mexican region of the type locality.