Pheidole viriosa

This species is only known from type specimens. Sifted from litter on the floor of rainforest (P. S. Ward).

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

This taxon was described from Ecuador.

Description
Similar in various traits to Pheidole angulifera, Pheidole dimidiata, Pheidole erratilis, Pheidole gilva, Pheidole schmalzi and Pheidole tambopatae, differing as follows.

Major: head bicolored as illustrated; median ocellus present; humerus in dorsal-oblique view bearing a right-angular extension; occipital cleft very broad and moderately deep; propodeal spines directed strongly backward; postpetiole very narrow and oval from above; rear quarter of dorsal head surface smooth and shiny. Minor: occiput somewhat narrowed, its margin weakly convex, and lacking nuchal collar; propodeal spines directed strongly backward; head almost completely smooth and shiny, with only a few faint carinulae at the antennal fossae; pilosity long, some hairs longer than Eye Length.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.74, HL 0.80, SL 0.42, EL 0.10, PW 0.36. Paratype minor: HW 0.42, HL 0.46, SL 0.40, EL 0.12, PW 0.30.

COLOR Major: head bicolored, with vertex and frontal triangle medium brown and rest of head brownish yellow; tarsi brownish yellow; rest of body and appendages light brown.

Minor: head and gaster dark brown, tarsi brownish yellow, rest of body and appendages medium brown.



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

Type Locality Information
ECUADOR: Jatun Sacha, 7 km east-southeast of Puerto Misahualli, Napo, 1°04'S 37°37'W (Philip S. Ward).

Etymology
L viriosa, robust, strong.