Pheidole angusticeps

This species occurs in second growth dry forest habitats in northwestern Costa Rica. It has been collected at tuna baits on the ground, in samples of leaf litter, and as prey of Neivamyrmex alfaroi. (Longino 2009)

Identification
The minor of Pheidole angusticeps has a narrow head, with CI 80–83. (Longino 2009)

Distribution
Known from northwestern Costa Rica.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras.

Worker
Minor

Nomenclature

 *  angusticeps. Pheidole angusticeps Wilson, 2003: 609, figs. (s.w.) COSTA RICA. Senior synonym of gradifer: Longino, 2009: 12.
 * gradifer. Pheidole gradifer Wilson, 2003: 613, figs. (s.w.) COSTA RICA. Junior synonymy of angusticeps: Longino, 2009: 12.

Description
DIAGNOSIS A member of the punctatissima group uniquely characterized by the elongate head of the minor; and by the bidentate hypostoma and dense, short, uniform, and subappressed gastral pilosity of the major. See also the sparse, paired mesosomal pilosity of the mesosoma in both major and minor.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.98, HL 1.08, SL 0.64, EL 0.18, PW 0.50. Paratype minor: HW 0.46, HL 0.60, SL 0.66, EL 0.14, PW 0.34.

COLOR Major: yellow with faint reddish tint ("light orange").

Minor: concolorous medium yellow.



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

Type Material
COSTA RICA: Isla San Jose, Islas Murciellagos, Santa Rosa National Park, Guanacaste, col. David Olson.

Longino (2009) - Pheidole gradifer Holotype major worker and associated minor paratype worker: Costa Rica, Guanacaste, Santa Rosa National Park, 1km E station, 280m, 19 Oct 1992, tropical dry forest, tuna bait (Olson) (examined). Bolton et al. 2006: emended to P. gradifera.

Etymology
L angusticeps, narrow-headed, with reference to the minor.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * INBio Collection (via Gbif)
 * Longino J. T. 2009. Additions to the taxonomy of New World Pheidole (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 2181: 1-90.
 * Smith M. A., W. Hallwachs, D. H. Janzen. 2014. Diversity and phylogenetic community structure of ants along a Costa Rican elevational gradient. Ecography 37(8): 720-731.
 * Wetterer J. K., M. J. Liles, J. M. Sermeno, L. Serrano Cervantes, E. E. Echeverria, R. M. Estrada Hernandez, A. Henriquez, D. Perez, D. A. Sanchez Garcia, C. E. Gomez Peralta, R. Lopez Sorto, and G. Melendez. 2016. Predaceous fie ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) at sea turtle (Testudines: Cheloniidae) nestig beaches and hatcheries in El Salvador. Florida Entomologist 99(1): 106-109.