Pheidole tachigaliae

Found on the ant-plant Tachigalia. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
From Wilson (2003): Known from the type locality and from Kaw, French Guiana, col. Mark W. Moffett.

This taxon was described from Guyana.

Nomenclature

 *  tachigaliae. Pheidole tachigaliae Wheeler, W.M. 1921f: 148 (s.w.q.) GUYANA. Combination in P. (Hendecapheidole): Wheeler, W.M. 1922d: 3. See also: Smith, M.R. 1955c: 304; Wilson, 2003: 639.

Description
From Wilson (2003): DIAGNOSIS A member of the tachigaliae group, characterized by very small size and 11-segmented antennae, this species is easily recognized by the following traits.

Major: dorsal surface of head longitudinally carinulate (not transversely carinulate as in other tachigaliae-group species); pronotal dorsum lightly sprinkled with foveolae, feebly shiny; propodeal spines short, stout and directed strongly backward.

Minor: all of head and mesosoma foveolate and opaque.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Lectotype major: HW 0.64, HL 0.74, SL 0.32, EL 0.08, PW 0.40. Paralectotype minor: HW 0.34, HL 0.38, SL 0.28, EL 0.08, PW 0.22.

COLOR Major: concolorous medium yellow; vertex with a fuzzy, circular brown spot as illustrated.

Minor: concolorous pale yellow.



'''Figure. Upper: lectotype, major. Lower: paralectotype, minor. Scale bars = 1 mm.'''

Type Material
- as reported in Wilson (2003)

Type Locality Information
GUYANA: Kartabo, col. William M. Wheeler. (Wilson 2003)

Etymology
L tachigaliae, referring to the plant on which the type colony was found. (Wilson 2003)

Additional References
Wheeler, W. M. 1921. The Tachigalia ants. Zoologica (New York). 3: 137–168.

Text and images from this publication used by permission of the author.