Pheidole longinoi

P. longinoi inhabits wet forest, nesting in internodes of Cecropia insignis saplings (Longino 1997).

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Costa Rica. (Wilson 2003)

This taxon was described from Costa Rica.

Description
DIAGNOSIS A small, medium yellow member of the flavens group, most similar to Pheidole otisi and Pheidole prolixa but easily distinguished from them in the major by the more prominent mesonotal convexity; smaller, more posteriorly directed propodeal spines; postpetiolar shape; and many details of cephalic sculpturing, including absence of rugoreticulum in the center of the occiput. The minor also differs in having the pilosity on the mesosomal dorsum limited to evenly spaced pairs of hairs.

P. longinoi is also similar but less so to Pheidole ceibana, Pheidole ruida and Pheidole sospes.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.66, HL 0.82, SL 0.42, EL 0.08, PW 0.38. Paratype minor: HW 0.40, HL 0.44, SL 0.34, EL 0.08, PW 0.26.

COLOR Major and minor: concolorous medium yellow.



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

Type Locality Information
COSTA RICA: 6.5 km east of Monteverde, Alajuela, 950 m, col. John T. Longino.

Etymology
In honor of the collector John T. (Jack) Longino, pioneer explorer of the Costa Rican ant fauna.