Pheidole rufipilis

Nothing is known about the biology of rufipilis.

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
São Paulo and (“pubiventris st. impia”) Minas Gerais, Brazil. (Wilson 2003)

This taxon was described from Brazil.

Nomenclature

 * divexa. Pheidole rufipilis var. divexa Forel, 1908c: 372 (s.w.m.) BRAZIL. Junior synonym of rufipilis: Wilson, 2003: 226.
 *  rufipilis. Pheidole rufipilis Forel, 1908c: 371 (s.w.) BRAZIL. Senior synonym of divexa, impia: Wilson, 2003: 226.
 * impia. Pheidole pubiventris st. impia Santschi, 1923d: 46 (s.) BRAZIL. Junior synonym of rufipilis: Wilson, 2003: 226.

Description
From Wilson (2003): Similar to Pheidole coffeicola, Pheidole laevifrons, Pheidole pubiventris and Pheidole variegata (= Pheidole pubiventris), but especially to Pheidole laevinota, a partially sympatric species from which it differs as follows.

Major: patch of rugoreticulum located near middle of outer margin of antennal fossa; at most, sparse carinulae occur along anterior margin of pronotum; entire dorsal surface of promesonotum foveolate and opaque; upper half of propodeal side foveolate but not carinulate; postpetiole trapezoidal from above, with angulate sides; humerus in dorsal-oblique view rounded.

Minor: humerus in dorsal-oblique view rounded; entire promesonotum foveolate.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Lectotype major: HW 1.12, HL 1.14, SL 0.80, EL 0.22, PW 0.58. Paralectotype minor: HW 0.64, HL 0.70, SL 0.70, EL 0.18, PW 0.40.

COLOR Major: not recorded.

Minor: body concolorous brown, appendages a slightly contrasting yellowish brown; hair pale yellow.



'''Figure. Upper: lectotype, major. Lower: paralectotype, minor. Scale bars = 1 mm.'''

Type Material
- as reported in Wilson (2003)

Type Locality Information
BRAZIL: Ipiranga, São Paulo. (Wilson 2003)

Etymology
L Gr rufipilis, red hair. (Wilson 2003)

Additional References
Forel, A. 1908h. Ameisen aus São Paulo (Brasilien), Paraguay etc. gesammelt von Prof. Herm. v. Ihering, Dr. Lutz, Dr. Fiebrig, etc. Verh. K-K. Zool.-Bot. Ges. Wien 58: 340–418.

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