Pheidole mirabilis

All of the three series were collected in montane rainforest. A seed cache was found in the nest of the type colony. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Known from three localities in Valle, at 1570-1700 m. (Wilson 2003)

This taxon was described from Colombia.

Description
Similar to Pheidole binasifera, Pheidole diabolus, Pheidole gravida, Pheidole moseni, Pheidole mosenopsis, Pheidole nasifera, Pheidole rhinoceros, Pheidole unicornis but unique among Pheidole, and all ants, for the complex armament at the front of the major's head.

Major: a spike emerges from the middle carina of the clypeus; the clypeus divides into two layers, each of which projects a pair of angulate processes down and forward; carinulae originating on the frontal carinae tum outward and travel toward the sides of the head; rugoreticulum present mesad to eye; most of posterior third of dorsal head surface smooth; propodeal spines vertical to propodeal basal face.

Minor: dorsal mesosomal surface mostly covered by widely spaced transverse carinulae; propodeal spines vertical to propodeal basal face; postpetiolar node low in side view.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.24, HL 1.64, SL 0.64, EL 0.14, PW 0.70. Paratype minor: HW 0.64, HL 0.74, SL 0.62, EL 0.10, PW 0.42.

COLOR Major: body medium reddish brown, legs yellowish brown.

Minor: body plain medium brown except for gaster, which is plain light brown; appendages yellowish brown.



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

Type Locality Information
COLOMBIA: Pance, Mun. de Cali, Valle, 1700 m (col. W. L. Brown and S. Chaplin).

Etymology
L mirabilis, wonderful, strange, alluding to the armament of the major.