Pheidole lanigera

The type colony was found in terra firme rainforest, in a root mass at the base of a palm tree. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
In addition to the type series, I have seen a larger, darker variant, and possibly distinct species, with more extensive cephalic reticulation on the major, from near San Cristóbal, Tachira, Venezuela, collected by J. Lattke. (Wilson 2003)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Peru, Venezuela.

Nomenclature

 *  lanigera. Pheidole laniger Wilson, 2003: 313, figs. (s.w.) PERU.

Description
A member of the fallax group, similar to Pheidole lovejoyi (but also scan Pheidole alienata, Pheidole cardinalis, Pheidole caribbaea, Pheidole fallax, Pheidole jelskii, Pheidole lattkei, Pheidole mantilla, Pheidole obscurior (=Pheidole susannae), Pheidole nubicola, Pheidole puttemansi, Pheidole rubiceps, Pheidole roushae, Pheidole susannae and Pheidole tobini), and distinguished as follows.

Major: posterior dorsal profile of head lined by uniform felt of short, subrecumbent hairs; propodeal spine reduced to denticle; occiput smooth; rugoreticulum limited to spaces around eye; dorsal face of petiolar peduncle in side view straight; pronotum bare of carinulae.

Minor: head narrowed posteriorly, nuchal collar present; propodeal spine reduced to denticle.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.26, HL 1.34, SL 0.90, EL 0.20, PW 0.60. Paratype minor: HW 0.50, HL 0.70, SL 0.98, EL 0.14, PW 0.38.

COLOR Major: concolorous brownish yellow.

Minor: body and appendages light brownish yellow, head a slightly contrasting medium brownish yellow.



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

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

Etymology
L laniger, wool-bearing.