Pheidole harrisonfordi

The type series was collected on a steep, rocky forested slope (W. L. Brown); the Belize ants were taken from the ground in a Cecropia-palm forest. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
From Wilson (2003): Known from the type locality, and from Belmopan, Belize, col. Stewart B. and Jarmilla Kukalová-Peck.

This taxon was described from Honduras.

Nomenclature

 *  harrisonfordi. Pheidole harrisonfordi Wilson, 2003: 433, figs. (s.w.) HONDURAS. Senior synonym of prolixa, ruida, tenebra: Longino, 2009: 37.
 * prolixa. Pheidole prolixa Wilson, 2003: 488, figs. (s.w.) MEXICO. Junior synonym of harrisonfordi: Longino, 2009: 37.
 * ruida. Pheidole ruida Wilson, 2003: 499, figs. (s.w.) PANAMA. Junior synonym of harrisonfordi: Longino, 2009: 37.
 * tenebra. Pheidole tenebra Wilson, 2003: 519, figs. (s.) MEXICO. Junior synonym of harrisonfordi: Longino, 2009: 37.

Description
A small light-colored member of the flavens group similar to Pheidole ceibana, Pheidole lignicola, Pheidole metallescens and Pheidole ruida, distinguished in the major by the bulbous pronotum in dorsal-oblique view, set off from a small but distinct mesonotal convexity, and the cephalic rugoreticulum, which starts as a patch at each occiput corner and runs anteriorly in a thin band to a patch just mesad to the eye. The minor is distinctive in the steep, nearly vertical descent of the posterior mesonotal face to the metanotum.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.70, HL 0.80, SL 0.40, EL 0.08, PW 0.36. Paratype minor: HW 0.40, HL 0.44, SL 0.34, EL 0.06, PW 0.26.

COLOR Major: body light reddish brown, appendages dark yellow. Minor: concolorous light reddish yellow.



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

Type Locality Information
HONDURAS: El Sauce, Santa Bárbara, 700 m, col. William L. Brown.

Etymology
Named in honor of Harrison Ford, in recognition of his outstanding contribution in service and support to tropical conservation, hence the habitats in which the Pheidole ants will continue to exist.

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