Pheidole heterothrix

One series, collected by W. L. Brown at Horco Molle, Tucumán, was found at 900–1150 m in myrtaceous forest. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
In addition to the types, from Villaguay, Entre Rios, Argentina, I have seen series from the Argentine provinces of La Pampa, Misiones, and Tucumán. (Wilson 2003)

This taxon was described from Argentina.

Nomenclature

 *  heterothrix. Pheidole obtusopilosa st. heterothrix Santschi, 1923d: 59 (s.w.) ARGENTINA. Raised to species and senior synonym of gavrilovi: Wilson, 2003: 436.
 * gavrilovi. Pheidole gavrilovi Kusnezov, 1952b: 80 (s.w.) ARGENTINA. Junior synonym of heterothrix: Wilson, 2003: 436.

Description
From Wilson (2003): DIAGNOSIS Similar to Pheidole obtusopilosa in some traits but distinguished from it and other Pheidole species as follows.

Major: patch of rugoreticulum present between eye and antennal fossa on each side; entire remainder of dorsal surface of head, including occiput, carinulate; very faint antennal scrobe present; promesonotal profile smoothly rounded; mesonotal convexity low but with distinct anterior and posterior declivities; all of pronotum carinulate; humeri rugoreticulate; pilosity dense and short; postpetiole from above conulate.

Minor: humerus subangulate; propodeal spines robust, moderately long, and directed backward; all of body except gaster foveolate.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Lectotype major (heterothrix, not “gavrilovi”): HW 1.12, HL 1.16, SL 0.54, EL 0.18, PW 0.62.

Paralectotype minor: HW 0.54, HL 0.54, SL 0.44, EL 0.10, PW 0.32.

COLOR Major: all of body light reddish brown except gaster, which is medium reddish brown.

Minor: body dark reddish brown, appendages medium reddish brown.



'''Figure. Upper: major (syntype of synonymous gavrilovi). Lower: minor (syntype of synonymous gavrilovi). Upper outlines of minor mesosoma and occiput are those of heterothrix syntype. ARGENTINA: Loreto, Misiones, Argentina. Compared with lectotype and paralectotype of heterothrix. Scale bars = 1 mm.'''

Type Material
- as reported in Wilson (2003)

Type Locality Information
Villaguay, Entre Rios, Argentina. (Wilson 2003)

Etymology
Gr heterothrix, different hair (from that of obtusopilosa). (Wilson 2003)

Additional References
Santschi, F. 1923d. Pheidole et quelques autres fourmis néotropiques. Ann. Soc. Entomol. Belg. 63: 45–69.

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