Pheidole flavifrons

This species is only known from type specimens. The type series was taken from beneath the bark of a tree in a terra firme tree fall. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

This taxon was described from Peru.

Description
A medium-sized, uniquely multicolored member of the flavens group, whose major has a prominent, subangular humerus and exclusively carinulate head, and the minor has a dentate humerus. Most similar to Pheidole arhuaca of Colombia but with different color, and in the major a smooth (not foveolate) pronotal dorsum; and to Pheidole amazonica, differing in head sculpture and shape of humerus.

See also the less similar Pheidole minutula, Pheidole nitidicollis and Pheidole tenerescens, and other species listed as close to arhuaca (q.v.).

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.86, HL 0.92, SL 0.44, EL 0.10, PW 0.44. Paratype minor: HW 0.44, HL 0.48, SL 0.40, EL 0.08, PW 0.28.

COLOR Major: anterior half of head yellow, posterior half yellowish brown, with a dark brown circular spot in the center of the head capsule dorsum; body medium brown, mandibles and scape light brown, rest of appendages yellow.

Minor: body dark brown; appendages, clypeus, and anterior genal margins yellow.



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

Type Locality Information
PERU: Cuzco Amazónico, 15 km northeast of Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios, col. Stefan Cover and John E. Tobin.

Etymology
L flavifrons, yellow front, pertaining to the anterior half of the major’s head.

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