Pheidole bambusarum

The types were collected from large hollow bamboos in a forest near São Paulo. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Known from southern Brazil (Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo) and north-central Argentina (Misiones). (Wilson 2003)

This taxon was described from Brazil.

Nomenclature

 *  bambusarum. Pheidole bambusarum Forel, 1908c: 376 (s.w.q.) BRAZIL. Senior synonym of ogloblini: Kempf, 1972b: 450. See also: Wilson, 2003: 662.
 * ogloblini. Pheidole ogloblini Kusnezov, 1952b: 85 (s.w.q.) ARGENTINA. Junior synonym of bambusarum: Kempf, 1972b: 450.

Description
From Wilson (2003): DIAGNOSIS A densely sculptured member of the tristis group notable for the almost complete covering of the head and pronotum with rugoreticula in both major and minor. Most similar to Pheidole brevicona (but also compare Pheidole aper, Pheidole dyctiota, Pheidole laeviventris, Pheidole lutzi, Pheidole risii, Pheidole rugatula, Pheidole senilis, Pheidole sigillata, Pheidole trachyderma and Pheidole traini), differing in the major in the rugoreticulate venter of the head and sides of pronotum; the oval (as opposed to cone-shaped) postpetiolar node; smaller size; and lighter color.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Syntype major (bambusarum): HW 1.14, HL 1.20, SL 0.66, EL 0.16, PW 0.56. Syntype minor (bambusarum): HW 0.70, HL 0.78, SL 0.74, EL 0.12, PW 0.44.

COLOR Major: body light brownish yellow except for the gaster and appendages which are pale yellow.

Minor: body medium yellow except for the gaster and appendages which are pale yellow.

Syntypes of synonymous ogloblini are yellow (major) or light reddish brown (minor).



Type Material
and - as reported in Wilson (2003)

Type Locality Information
São Paulo, Brazil, col. Adolphe Lutz (Wilson 2003)

Etymology
NL bambusarum, belonging to bamboo (Bambusa ). (Wilson 2003)

Additional References
Forel, A. 1908. Ameisen aus São Paulo (Brasilien), Paraguay etc. gesammelt von Prof. Herm. v. Ihering, Dr. Lutz, Dr. Fiebrig, etc. Verh. K-K. Zool.-Bot. Ges. Wien 58: 340–418.

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