Pheidole leptina

Nothing is known about the biology of leptina.

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

This taxon was described from Peru.

Nomenclature

 *  leptina. Pheidole leptina Wilson, 2003: 316, figs. (s.w.) PERU.

Description
A member of the “jujuyensis complex” of the larger fallax agroup, comprising Pheidole araneoides, Pheidole cuevasi, Pheidole durionei, Pheidole jujuyensis, Pheidole kugleri, Pheidole leonina, Pheidole leptina, Pheidole lucretii, Pheidole lupus, Pheidole paraensis, Pheidole punctithorax, Pheidole tijucana, Pheidole wallacei and Pheidole wolfringi, which complex is characterized in both major and minor by slender body form and exceptionally long antennal scapes and petiolar pedicel; also in the major by a proportionately small head; and in the minor by a strongly developed nuchal collar. P. leptina is distinguished as follows.

Major: antennal scape exceeding the occipital corner by more than 2! its own maximum width; head unusually small and occiput narrowed in frontal view; posterior half of head capsule and all of gaster smooth and shiny; propodeal spines reduced to denticles.

Minor: occipital neck only moderately developed; propodeal spines reduced to denticles. Both castes: body brown, appendages dark yellow.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.84, HL 0.94, SL 0.84, EL 0.22, PW 0.50. Paratype minor: HW 0.52, HL 0.72, SL 0.98, EL 0.18, PW 0.40.

COLOR Major: body uniformly medium brown, appendages brownish yellow.

Minor: gaster light brown, rest of body medium brown, appendages dark yellow.



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

Type Locality Information
PERU: Cocha Cashu Research Station, Madre de Dios, 400 m, col. Diane W. Davidson.

Etymology
Gr leptina, thin, slender.

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