Pheidole stigma

The type colony was found beneath a rock in a pasture. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Ecuador.

Nomenclature

 *  stigma. Pheidole stigma Wilson, 2003: 234, figs. (s.w.) ECUADOR.

Description
Distinguished within the diligens group by the following combination of traits.

Major: pilosity very sparse, generally, and entirely absent on the mesosoma and waist; head light reddish brown with medium brown spot on vertex and medium brown trim on margins of frontal lobes, as illustrated; carinulae limited to anterior half of head, including margins of frontal lobe, and posterior half of dorsal surface of head and all of gaster smooth and shiny; all of mesosoma and waist foveolate and opaque.

Minor: mesosoma devoid of hair; carinulae limited to circular carinulae around antennal fossae; all of mesosoma and petiole, as well as anterior half of head and side of postpetiole, foveolate and opaque, and the rest of the body smooth and shiny; body medium reddish brown, appendages light reddish brown, tarsi yellow.

Compare with Pheidole anima, Pheidole bruesi, Pheidole diligens, Pheidole gagates, Pheidole geraesensis, Pheidole nubila, Pheidole piceonigra, Pheidole radoszkowskii and Pheidole triconstricta.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.60, HL 0.64, SL 0.76, EL 0.14, PW 0.40. Paratype minor: HW 1.00, HL 1.00, SL 0.80, EL 0.18, PW 0.52.

COLOR See in Diagnosis above.



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

Type Material
ECUADOR: Baños, near Riobamba, 1800 m, col. Gary J. Umphrey.

Etymology
Gr stigma, mark, spot, with reference to the dark spot on the head of the major.