Pheidole sabella

Collected from leaf litter on the sandy soil of the forest floor. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Ecuador, Peru.

Nomenclature

 *  sabella. Pheidole sabella Wilson, 2003: 500, figs. (s.w.) PERU.

Description
Known only from the major. A medium-sized reddish yellow member of the flavens group, most similar to Pheidole kuna of Panama, including the possession of shallow antennal scrobes, a well-developed mesonotal convexity, and parallel longitudinal carinulae that extend over the entire dorsum of the head to near the occiput. Departs from kuna in the different shape of the mesonotal convexity in side view, the larger propodeal spines, the presence of a rugoreticulum mesad to the eyes, and a contrasting brown spot near the center of the head capsule.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.86, HL 0.92, SL 0.44, EL 0.10, PW 0.42.

COLOR Major: body and mandibles reddish yellow, legs and antennae plain yellow; head with a medium brown spot just behind the center of the cephalic dorsum midline, as illustrated.



'''Figure. Holotype, major. Scale bars = 1 mm.'''

Type Material
PERU: near Lake Sandoval, Puerto Maldonado, Tambopata, 260 m (Charles Kugler and R. R. Lampert).

Etymology
L sabella, dim. of sabulum, sand, referring to the nest site.