Pheidole leonina

In terra firme forest, recruiting to dead cockroach. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

This taxon was described from Peru.

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. leonina is distinguished as follows.

Major: occiput narrowed in full-face view; antennal scape exceeding occipital corner by more than its own maximum width; rugoreticulum on each side of dorsum of head in full-face view extends from anterior margin of head to edge of occiput, where it is replaced by rugulae; propodeal spines stout, short, equilaterally triangular; all of central strip of first gastral tergite shagreened.

Minor: propodeal spines reduced to denticles; occiput drawn into thin neck, with nuchal collar.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.52, HL 1.60, SL 1.44, EL 0.30, PW 0.82. Paratype minor: HW 0.62, HL 0.92, SL 1.44, EL 0.22, PW 0.46.

COLOR Major: mandibles light reddish brown, body and antennae light reddish to yellowish brown, legs medium to dark yellow.

Minor: concolorous medium yellow.



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

Type Locality Information
PERU: Cuzco Amazónico, 15 km northeast of Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios, col. Stefan Cover.

Etymology
L leonina, lion-like.