Pheidole chrysops

The Paraguay colony was in a nest in leaf litter in “high forests” (Alex Wild).

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Known from the type locality and from a single series, nearly identical to the types, from Reserva Mbaracayú, Jejuimi, Dept. Canindeyú, Paraguay. (Wilson 2003)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil, Paraguay.

Nomenclature

 *  chrysops. Pheidole chrysops Wilson, 2003: 180, figs. (s.w.) BRAZIL.

Description
A small, yellow species tentatively placed in the diligens group but with clear ties to some members of the fallax group, i.e., Pheidole aenescens, Pheidole bergi, Pheidole cordiceps and Pheidole midas, from which it is distinguished by the following set of traits.

Major: head heart-shaped, but with occipital angles in full-face view tending toward subangulate; propodeal spine short, equilaterally triangular; pronotal profile in dorsal-oblique view slightly bilobous; pilosity long and dense; head lacking rugoreticulum, and carinulae limited to anterior half of head with frontal lobes mostly bare.

Minor: occiput narrowed but lacking nuchal collar; in profile, mesonotum moderately convex.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.94, HL 0.96, SL 0.74, EL 0.18, PW 0.52. Paratype minor: HW 0.46, HL 0.54, SL 0.66, EL 0.12, PW 0.34.

COLOR Major: concolorous dark (“golden”) yellow.

Minor: clear medium yellow.



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

Type Material
BRAZIL: Taperinha, Santarem, Pará, col. Robert L. Jeanne.

Etymology
Gr chrysops, like gold, referring to the dark yellow color of the major.