Pheidole cerina

The three known series come from litter samples taken in wet forest. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

This taxon was described from Costa Rica.

Description
A relatively large species for the flavens group, with yellow to brown major and minor. Similar to Pheidole amabilis of Costa Rica but differing in the major in the reduced propodeal spines, which point posteriorly (versus vertically in amabilis); in the well-developed mesonotal convexity, in the longer cephalic carinulae; in the more extensive carinulae of the pronotal dorsum; and in much longer antennal scapes of the minor (SL/HW 1.14, versus 1.0 in amabilis). Pheidole cerina, in the major mesonotal convexity and longer minor scapes, appears intermediate between the flavens and punctatissima groups.

See also the less similar Pheidole grex, Pheidole mixteca and Pheidole morelosana.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.14, HL 1.74, SL 0.64, EL 0.16, PW 0.56. Paratype minor: HW 0.44, HL 0.50, SL 0.50, EL 0.06, PW 0.30.

COLOR Major: body, mandibles, and antennae concolorous reddish yellow, legs medium yellow.

Minor: concolorous light-medium yellow. I have also seen two dark series from the type locality, with medium brown bodies and yellow appendages.



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

Type Locality Information
COSTA RICA: Rio Peñas Blancas, Alajuela, 10°19'N 84°43'W, 800 m (J. T. Longino).

Etymology
L cerina, wax-colored, yellowish, referring to the color.