Pheidole mackayi

The type colony was collected at a bait in a cut and burned-over forest area. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

This taxon was described from Mexico.

Description
DIAGNOSIS Similar in various traits to Pheidole cerina, Pheidole hizemops, Pheidole micon, Pheidole tachirana and Pheidole tenebra, differing as follows.

Major: dark brown; in side view, promesonotal profile almost straight until it drops off posteriorly in a nearly vertical face to the metanotum; pronotum in dorsal-oblique view bilobous, and mesonotal convexity subangulate; eyes relatively large; propodeal spines curve backward; postpetiole from above diamond-shaped; posterior half of dorsal head surface smooth with widely scattered foveae. Minor: eye very large, almost circular, set well forward on head; propodeal spines reduced to denticles; occiput narrowed, its margin concave, lacking nuchal collar.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.84, HL 0.86, SL 0.52, EL 0.12, PW 0.44. Paratype minor: HW 0.40, HL 0.44, SL 0.36, EL 0.08, PW 0.24. COLOR Major: body dark, almost blackish brown; appendages light brown.

Minor: body and antennae medium brown, legs yellow.



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

Type Locality Information
MEXICO: 24 km south of Cintalapa, Chiapas, col. William P. MacKay.

Etymology
Named after the collector and myrmecologist William P. MacKay.