Pheidole zoster

The nest contained a seed cache and males 9- 12 March. (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: Brazil, Peru.

Nomenclature

 *  zoster. Pheidole zoster Wilson, 2003: 778, figs. (s.w.) PERU.

Description
DIAGNOSIS A large, bicolorous (major) or reddish yellow (minor) member of the tristis group whose major has a very large ovalangulate postpetiolar node, prominent subpostpetiolar convexity, dense parallel transverse carinulae covering all of the promesonotum, and completely foveolate and opaque dorsal head surface and first gastral tergite.

Minor: with large, somewhat elongated bell-shaped postpetiole; subpostpetiolar process; short, erect propodeal spines, and completely foveolate and opaque dorsal head surface and first gastral tergite.

Similar to Pheidole alpinensis, Pheidole exarata, Pheidole excubitor, Pheidole germaini, Pheidole grandinodus, Pheidole obrima, Pheidole rogeri, Pheidole stulta and Pheidole tristis, differing in many details of body form, sculpturing, and pilosity, as illustrated, and in color.

MEASUREMENTS (mrn) Holotype major: HW l.64, HL l.82, SL 0.82, EL 0.20, PW 0.88. Paratype minor: HW 0.70, HL 0.74, SL 0.68, EL 0.14, PW 0.44.

COLOR Major: head, mesosoma, and petiole reddish yellow; mandibles medium brown; postpetiole and gaster light brown; legs and antennae dark yellow.

Minor: reddish yellow.



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

Type Material
PERU: Tingo Maria, col. William L. Brown.

Etymology
Gr zoster, belt, girdle, referring to the broad postpetiole.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bezdeckova K., P. Bedecka, and I. Machar. 2015. A checklist of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Peru. Zootaxa 4020 (1): 101–133.
 * Fernández, F. and S. Sendoya. 2004. Lista de las hormigas neotropicales. Biota Colombiana Volume 5, Number 1.