Pheidole angulifera

Occurs in wet montane forests; the type colony was found nesting in a hard dead branch (Longino 1997).

Identification
A medium-sized, bicolorous member of the flavens group whose major is distinguished by the prominent “sharkfin” shape of the pronotal humerus in dorsal-oblique view. In this respect it resembles the major of Pheidole schmalzi of South America but is distinct in the way the angles extend past the lower humeral margins in dorsal view, and in the wider, nearly perfectly semicircular shape of the occipital border. The minor has a much less prominent humeral profile in dorsal-oblique view than that of schmalzi, and the carinulae on the dorsal surface of the head do not extend beyond the eye. Compare also with Pheidole arhuaca, Pheidole boliviana, Pheidole caulicola, Pheidole chalca, Pheidole chalcoides, Pheidole crinita, Pheidole flavifrons, Pheidole mincana, Pheidole sagana, Pheidole tambopatae and Pheidole tysoni. (Wilson 2003)

Distribution
Southern Pacific highlands of Costa Rica (J. T. Longino 1997).

This taxon was described from Costa Rica.

Description
A medium-sized, bicolorous member of the flavens group whose major is distinguished by the prominent “sharkfin” shape of the pronotal humerus in dorsal-oblique view. In this respect it resembles the major of Pheidole schmalzi of South America but is distinct in the way the angles extend past the lower humeral margins in dorsal view, and in the wider, nearly perfectly semicircular shape of the occipital border. The minor has a much less prominent humeral profile in dorsal-oblique view than that of schmalzi, and the carinulae on the dorsal surface of the head do not extend beyond the eye. Compare also with Pheidole arhuaca, Pheidole boliviana, Pheidole caulicola, Pheidole chalca, Pheidole chalcoides, Pheidole crinita, Pheidole flavifrons, Pheidole mincana, Pheidole sagana, Pheidole tambopatae and Pheidole tysoni.

Major
Color: yellowish brown; head faintly bicolorous, with head capsule anterior to eye a slightly contrasting dark yellow.

Measurements (mm): Holotype major: HW 0.88, HL 0.92, SL 0.42, EL 0.10, PW 0.46.



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

Minor
Color: head light brown; gena a slightly contrasting dark yellow; anterior half of mesosoma dark yellow and posterior half yellowish brown.

Measurements (mm): Paratype minor: HW 0.48, HL 0.54, SL 0.40, EL 0.06, PW 0.34.

Type Locality Information
COSTA RICA: 4 km south of San Vito, Puntarenas, 8°47'N 82°58'W, 1200 m (J. T. Longino).

Etymology
L angulifera, angle-bearer, referring to the prominently angulate humerus.