Pheidole tristicula

At Cuzco Amazonico, near Puerto Maldonado, Peru, Stefan Cover and John E. Tobin found a colony in mature rainforest, nesting in humus on top of a rotten log. Similarly, Mark Moffett collected a colony from a rotten log at Saul, French Guiana. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
A very widespread but overall not abundant species. I have identified series from Veracruz, Mexico; Honduras; Colombia; French Guiana; Trinidad; and scattered localities in Amazonian Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. (Wilson 2003)

This taxon was described from Peru.

Description
DIAGNOSIS A small, bicolorous, mostly yellow species belonging to a group of ambiguous species composing the "carapuna complex" (Pheidole boltoni, Pheidole carapuna, Pheidole cornicula, Pheidole cuprina, Pheidole eriophora, Pheidole jivaro, Pheidole manuana and Pheidole tristicula). All are relatively small in size, with the major possessing a reduced mesonotal convexity and cephalic sculpturing that consists entirely of longitudinal carinulae that extend to or almost to the occipital border seen in full-face view. All also have a minor with a broad, concave occiput, which lacksa collar. Among these species, P. tristicula is distinguished in the major by combination of its elevated humerus in dorsal-oblique view, laterally angular postpetiolar node, transversely carinulate pronotal dorsum, partially shagreened first gastral tergite, and in color. It is closest to carapuna.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.08, HL 1.24, SL 0.64, EL 0.l8, PW 0.60. Paratype minor: HW 0.56, HL 0.60, SL 0.54, EL 0.l2, PW 0.38.

COLOR Major and minor: head and meso soma light reddish yellow ("orange"), rest of body and appendages clear medium yellow.



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

Type Locality Information
PERU: Cuzco Amaz6nico, 15 Ian northeast of Puerto Maldonado, Tambopata, col. Stefan Cover and John E. Tobin.

Etymology
L tristicula, dim. of tristis, sad.