Pheidole cordiceps

Nothing is known about the biology of cordiceps.

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Argentina: widespread in the country, including Buenos Aires, Chabut, Córdoba, Mendoza, and Salta (Kempf 1972b).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Argentina.

Nomenclature

 *  cordiceps. Pheidole cordiceps Mayr, 1868b: 174 (s.w.) ARGENTINA. Emery, 1906c: 149 (q.). Senior synonym of lilianae: Wilson, 2003: 279.
 * lilianae. Pheidole cordiceps var. lilianae Forel, 1912f: 232 (s.w.q.m.) ARGENTINA. Subspecies of cordiceps: Kusnezov, 1952b: 66 (in key). Junior synonym of cordiceps: Wilson, 2003: 279.

Description
From Wilson (2003): A medium-sized, yellow member of the fallax group, distinguished as follows:

Major: head heart-shaped; propodeal spines reduced to denticles; postpetiolar node seen from above roughly trapezoidal; mesonotal convexity prominent, and in dorsal-oblique view seeming to “lean” posteriorly; carinulae on frontal lobes restricted to lateral halves, and rest of cephalic sculpturing confined to the level of the eyes and capsule anterior to them.

Minor: occiput very broad, lacking nuchal collar; humerus angulate; sculpturing on head limited to anterior fourth of dorsal surface.

Most similar to and possibly synonymous with Pheidole dione.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Lectotype major: HW 1.44, HL 1.46, SL not measured, EL 0.22, PW 0.72. Paralectotype minor: HW 0.70, HL 0.74, SL 0.86, EL 0.16, PW 0.42.

COLOR Major: medium yellow, gaster a slightly contrasting yellowish brown.

Minor: head and mesosoma reddish yellow, waist and gaster medium brown.



'''Figure. Upper: lectotype, major (antennal scape drawn from an undamaged paralectotype major). Lower: paralectotype, minor. Scale bars = 1 mm.'''

Type Material
- as reported in Wilson (2003)

Type Locality Information
From Wilson (2003): ARGENTINA: Buenos Aires, col. P. de Strobel.

Etymology
L cordiceps, heart-shaped head. (Wilson 2003)

Additional References
Kempf, W. W. 1972b. Catálogo abreviado das formigas da região Neotropical. Stud. Entomol. 15: 3–344.

Mayr, G. 1868b. Formicidae novae Americanae collectae a Prof. P. de Strobel. Ann. Soc. Nat. Mat. Modena 3: 161–178.

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