Pheidole nesiota

Rosumek (2017) assessed trophic resource use and period of activity within the ant community in a southern Brazil Atlantic forest. He found, relative to other Pheidole sampled in this study, Pheidole lucretii, Pheidole nesiota, and Pheidole sigillata had similar patterns and broadly used the most attractive resources. Pheidole nesiota also showed a slight preference for foraging during the day.

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil.

Nomenclature

 *  nesiota. Pheidole nesiota Wilson, 2003: 327, figs. (s.w.) BRAZIL.

Description
A member of the fallax group, similar to Pheidole aenescens, Pheidole bergi, Pheidole chrysops, Pheidole cordiceps and Pheidole midas, distinguished as follows.

Major: antennal scape slightly exceeds occipital corner; all of promesonotum foveolate and opaque; anterior third of pronotum carinulate; rugoreticulum on head confined to area mesad to eye; mesonotal convexity in side view followed posteriorly by second, feeble convexity, which is also anterior to the metanotal depression; propodeal spines small; carinulae on frontal lobes limited to margins; postpetiole diamond-shaped.

Minor: humerus obtuse-angulate in dorsal-oblique view; propodeal spine equilaterally triangular; promesonotum entirely foveolate and opaque; occiput narrowed, with nuchal collar.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.16, HL 1.16, SL 1.00, EL 0.20, PW 0.60. Paratype minor: HW 0.50, HL 0.62, SL 0.86, EL 0.14, PW 0.34.

COLOR Major: body medium brown, appendages yellowish brown.

Minor: yellowish brown except for tarsi, which are clear yellow.



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

Type Material
BRAZIL: Cananeia, Ilha do Cordoso-Mata, col. L. C. Duarte.

Etymology
Gr nesiota, islander, referring to the type locality.