Pheidole tristops

The type colony was found in rainforest. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
From Wilson (2003): Known from the type locality, and from Quebrado, Chirihara, Cundinamarca, Colombia, at 1400 m (col. William L. and Doris E. Brown).

This taxon was described from Colombia.

Description
Similar in various ways to Pheidole balzani, Pheidole brunnescens, Pheidole exarata, Pheidole excubitor, Pheidole fabricator, Pheidole germaini, Pheidole hispaniolae, Pheidole nigella, Pheidole prattorum, Pheidole sabina, Pheidole sarpedon, Pheidole unicornis, and especially Pheidole tristis, differing as follows.

Major: head in side view with strongly convex ventral profile and weakly convex dorsal profile, the whole tapering strongly to the occiput; occipital cleft deep; humeri lobate, seen from above extending over the rest of the pronotum and from the side raised to a prominent discrete lobe; anterior half of postpetiolar venter in side view bearing an acute-angular process; postpetiolar node from above cone-shaped; all of mesosoma and waist foveolate and opaque.

Minor: occiput broad, lacking nuchal collar; humerus in dorsal-oblique view raised and subangulate; postpetiolar venter in side view strongly convex; all of body except gaster foveolate and opaque.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.74, HL 1.86, SL 0.82, EL 0.14, PW 0.82. Paratype minor: HW 0.66, HL 0.74, SL 0.76, EL 0.10, PW 0.42.

COLOR Major: body and mandibles medium reddish brown; legs and antennae brownish yellow.

Minor: head, mesosoma, and petiole medium brown; antennae, mandibles, postpetiole and gaster light brown; legs dark yellow.



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

Type Locality Information
COLOMBIA: 2-3 km above Minca, Magdalena, 650-950 m (col. William L. Brown).

Etymology
Gr L tristops, like tristis.