Pheidole melastomae

Hilly rainforest, nesting in myrmecophytic melastomes (Leeanne Tennant-Alonso in Panama and Colombia). Winged males were present in a nest in Colombia in early June and in Panama in early July. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Known from the type locality in Panama and from Colombia (near San José, Chocó, localities in Valle) and Ecuador (Endesa, Pichincha). (Wilson 2003)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Colombia, Ecuador, Panama.

Nomenclature

 *  melastomae. Pheidole melastomae Wilson, 2003: 451, figs. (s.w.) PANAMA.

Description
DIAGNOSIS A medium-sized, yellow member of the flavens group characterized by a nearly complete absence in major and minor of sculpturing anywhere behind the anterior half of the head, the reduction of the propodeal spine to an obtuse angle, the very small size of the propodeal spiracle, shallow occipital concavity in full-face view, and abundant long pilosity. The major is further distinguished by its overall flattened mesosomal dorsal profile and laterally angulate postpetiole.

Similar species: Pheidole amabilis, Pheidole boliviana, Pheidole mixteca, Pheidole scitula, Pheidole terresi and Pheidole tysoni.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.80, HL 0.84, SL 0.42, EL 0.10, PW 0.42. Paratype minor: HW 0.44, HL 0.46, SL 0.42, EL 0.06, PW 0.24.

COLOR Major: body mostly clear medium yellow, with dorsum of head and mandibles brownish yellow.

Minor: concolorous light to medium yellow.



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

Type Material
PANAMA: Estácion Nusagandi, Comarca de Kuna Yala, 350 m, col. Leeanne Tennant-Alonso.

Etymology
L melastomae, referring to the preferred melastome nesting site.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Fernández, F. and S. Sendoya. 2004. Lista de las hormigas neotropicales. Biota Colombiana Volume 5, Number 1.