Pheidole spathicornis

Nothing is known about the biology of spathicornis.

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Mexico.

Nomenclature

 *  spathicornis. Pheidole spathicornis Wilson, 2003: 160, figs. (s.w.) MEXICO.

Description
A member of the crassicornis group, most resembling Pheidole guerrerana, and differing from that and other species of the group by the following combination of traits.

Major: rugoreticulum on head extends mesad to eye anteriorly half way to the anterior genal border and posteriorly nearly halfway to the occipital borders; a loosed, ladder-like rugoreticulum also extends along the midline of the dorsal surface of the head capsule from the occiput halfway to the frontal triangle; pilosity very long and dense; postpetiole from above oval, not laterally angulate.

Minor: humerus in dorsal-oblique view subangulate; propodeal spines reduced to denticles; petiolar node from side tapers to a point;occiput broad, and nuchal collar absent.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.26, HL 1.38, SL 0.82, EL 0.18, PW 0.64. Paratype minor: HW 0.60, HL 0.75, SL 0.80, EL 0.14, PW 0.40.

COLOR Major: concolorous reddish yellow.

Minor: head and gaster plain light brown; mesosoma, waist, and appendages yellowish brown.



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

Type Material
MEXICO: Villa Santiago, Cola de Caballo, Morelos, col. Francisco Perez D.

Etymology
L spathicornis, broad-bladed horn, referring to the scape.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Vásquez-Bolaños M. 2011. Lista de especies de hormigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) para México. Dugesiana 18: 95-133
 * Wilson, E.O. 2003. Pheidole in the New World: A Dominant, Hyperdiverse Genus. Harvard University Press