Pheidole vomer

Winged queens were present in the type colony at the time of collection 9-13 January. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Known from the type locality, and from San Pedro de la Sierra, Pico Verbabuena, Magdalena, 1730 m (c. Kugler). (Wilson 2003)

This taxon was described from Colombia.

Description
Similar in various traits to Pheidole amata, Pheidole ambigua, Pheidole celaena, Pheidole fera, Pheidole germaini, Pheidole peruviana, Pheidole rutilana, Pheidole schwarzmaieri and Pheidole superba, differing as follows.

Major: median carina projects forward slightly as a single, blade like process; occipital cleft deep; carinae originating on frontal lobes fan outward and most reach the occipital border; occipital lobes mostly smooth and sprinkled with scattered foveae; in dorsal-oblique view, humerus raised high as a prominent lobe; propodeal spines thin and vertical on propodeal basal face; postpetiole from above diamond-shaped; promesonotal dorsum entirely carinulate.

Minor: head "tiger-striped" with curving carinulae along the sides and straight carinulae that run from the frontal lobes to the occiput; occiput somewhat narrowed, with nuchal collar; promesonotal dorsum entirely carinulate; propodeal spines short, thin, and vertical on the propodeal dorsal face.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.34, HL 1.48, SL 0.70, EL 0.16, PW 0.70. Paratype minor: HW 0.70, HL 0.78, SL 0.66, EL 0.08, PW 0.48.

COLOR Major: body and mandibles dark reddish brown, tarsi dark yellow, other appendages light reddish brown.

Minor: body medium brown, appendages dark yellow.



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

Type Locality Information
COLOMBIA: Finca Merenberg, 12 km west of Belen, Huila, 2300 m (col. C. Kugler and J. Hahn).

Etymology
L vomer, plowshare, referring to the raised median carina of the major clypeus.