Pheidole drepanon

The type colony was collected in tropical evergreen forest. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
From Wilson (2003): Similar to the Dominican endemic Pheidole harlequina, differing from it and all other Pheidole as follows.

Major: propodeal spines very thick, curved, sickle-shaped, and much longer than the propodeal basal face anterior to them; head and body bicolored as depicted; all of dorsal surface of head except for occipital margin carinulate and weakly rugulose; head slightly broader than long; petiolar peduncle very long; postpetiole from above diamond-shaped.

Minor: propodeal spines very thick, curved, and sickle-shaped, much longer than the propodeal basal face anterior to them; body concolorous medium brown.

COLOR Major: body medium brown except for the front of the head (as depicted), as well as dorsum of promesonotum and anterior half of first gastral tergite, which are brownish yellow. Minor: body concolorous medium brown, appendages light to yellowish brown.

Distribution
Pheidole drepanon is evidently an endemic of the Dominican Republic; a second collection was made by P. S. Ward 22 km north of Pedernales, 18°09’N, 71°35’W, 1600 m. P. drepanon might also occur in Haiti, especially since the type locality is close to the border. (Wilson 2003)

This taxon was described from Dominican Republic.

Description
Similar to the Dominican endemic Pheidole harlequina, differing from it and all other Pheidole as follows.

Major: propodeal spines very thick, curved, sickle-shaped, and much longer than the propodeal basal face anterior to them; head and body bicolored as depicted; all of dorsal surface of head except for occipital margin carinulate and weakly rugulose; head slightly broader than long; petiolar peduncle very long; postpetiole from above diamond-shaped.

Minor: propodeal spines very thick, curved, and sickle-shaped, much longer than the propodeal basal face anterior to them; body concolorous medium brown.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.04, HL 1.02, SL 0.70, EL 0.14, PW 0.50. Paratype minor: HW 0.48, HL 0.52, SL 0.64, EL 0.08, PW 0.32.

COLOR Major: body medium brown except for the front of the head (as depicted), as well as dorsum of promesonotum and anterior half of first gastral tergite, which are brownish yellow. Minor: body concolorous medium brown, appendages light to yellowish brown.



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

Type Locality Information
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (GREATER ANTILLES): Sierra de Baoruco, N. Cabo Rojo, Km 23, near Pedernales, 500 m (William L. and Doris E. Brown).

Etymology
Gr drepanon, sickle, alluding to the propodeal spines.