Pheidole lovejoyi

In lowland rainforest. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

This taxon was described from Brazil.

Description
A member of the fallax group, most similar to Pheidole lanigera (but also scan Pheidole alienata, Pheidole cardinalis, Pheidole caribbaea, Pheidole fallax, Pheidole jelskii, Pheidole lattkei, Pheidole mantilla, Pheidole obscurior (=Pheidole susannae), Pheidole petrensis, Pheidole puttemansi, Pheidole rubiceps, Pheidole roushae, Pheidole susannae and Pheidole tobini), distinguished by the following combination of traits.

Major: in full-face view, profile of head posterior to eyes fringed by short, subrecumbent hairs of uniform length; in side view, center of pronotal dorsal profile raised as a low convexity; petiolar peduncle slender, its dorsal border concave in side view; pronotal dorsum partly carinulate; anterior strip of first gastral tergite foveolate and opaque.

Minor: nuchal collar present; propodeal spine reduced to obtuse angle.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.42, HL 1.50, SL 1.04, EL 0.20, PW 0.66. Paratype minor: HW 0.46, HL 0.64, SL 0.94, EL 0.12, PW 0.34.

COLOR Major: head reddish brown, mesosoma plain medium brown, gaster and appendages plain light brown.

Minor: head medium brownish yellow, appendages and rest of head medium brownish yellow.



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

Type Locality Information
BRAZIL: Fazenda Dimona, Smithsonian Institution Field Station, 90 km north of Manaus, Amazonas, col. E. O. Wilson.

Etymology
Named after Thomas E. Lovejoy, distinguished field biologist and my host at Fazenda Dimona.