Pheidole tachirana

This species is only known from type specimens. A male was with the type colony at the time of collection 9 August. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Venezuela.

Nomenclature

 *  tachirana. Pheidole tachirana Wilson, 2003: 515, figs. (s.w.) VENEZUELA.

Description
DIAGNOSIS Similar in various traits to Pheidole cerina, Pheidole hizemops, Pheidole mackayi, Pheidole micon and Pheidole tenebra, differing as follows.

Major: reddish yellow; mesonotal convexity subangular; small subangulate process present on postpetiolar venter; anterior third of dorsum and posterior lower margin of pronotum carinulate; lower sides of pronotum foveolate; a small patch of rugoreticulum present posterior to each antennal fossa; carinulae just mesad to each eye extend only about 2 Eye Length beyond the eye.

Minor: head and mesosoma entirely foveolate; propodeal spines short and thin; occiput broad, its margin feebly concave, nuchal collar absent.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.72, HL 0.84, SL 0.40, EL 0.12, PW 0.34. Paratype minor: HW 0.40, HL 0.46, SL 0.42, EL 0.06, PW 0.24.

COLOR Major: body medium reddish yellow, appendages plain medium yellow. Minor: body dark yellow, appendages medium yellow.



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

Type Material
VENEZUELA: El Espinal, near Michelena, Táchira, 1260 m, col. John Lattke.

Etymology
Named after the state in which the type colony was found.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

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