Pheidole paraensis

Nothing is known about the biology of paraensis.

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

 *  paraensis. Pheidole paraensis Wilson, 2003: 335, figs. (s.w.) BRAZIL.

Description
A member of the “jujuyensis complex” of the larger fallax group, comprising Pheidole araneoides, Pheidole cuevasi, Pheidole durionei, Pheidole jujuyensis, Pheidole kugleri, Pheidole leonina, Pheidole leptina, Pheidole lucretii, Pheidole lupus, Pheidole paraensis, Pheidole punctithorax, Pheidole tijucana, Pheidole wallacei and Pheidole wolfringi. P. paraensis differs as follows.

Major: proportionately small-headed; head subrectangular in full-face view; a very loose (large-celled) rugoreticulum stretches on each side of the head from eye to frontal carina and is succeeded posteriorly by widely spaced rugulae that almost attain the occiput; antennal scape reaches about halfway between level of the eye and level of occiput; propodeal spines in side view reduced to right angles.

Minor: propodeal spines absent; occiput narrowed, with thin nuchal collar.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.50, HL 1.50, SL 1.00, EL 0.22, PW 0.68. Paratype minor: HW 0.46, HL 0.64, SL 0.86, EL 0.14, PW 0.34.

COLOR Major: body and mandibles light reddish brown, gaster plain light brown, appendages brownish yellow.



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

Type Material
BRAZIL: Utinga Tract, near Belém, Pará, col. P. F. Darlington.

Etymology
Named after the Brazilian state of origin of the types.