Pheidole harlequina

This species is only known from type specimens. The type colony was found in a pine-hardwood ravine. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Known only from the type locality. Evidently an endemic of the Dominican Republic, although it is to be looked for in Haiti as well. A second, similar species is known from a single minor collected in dry coastal scrub 3 km east of Tintero, San Pedros de Macoris, Dominican Republic (W. L. & D. E. Brown); it will not be described at this time. (Wilson 2003)

This taxon was described from Dominican Republic.

Description
Similar to Pheidole drepanon, another unusual Dominican endemic, differing from it and all other Pheidole as follows.

Major: propodeal spine thick, curved slightly, and as long as the propodeal basal face anterior to it; body multicolored as depicted and described under Color below; head much broader than long, expanding posteriorly to maximum width at occiput; a small patch of rugoreticulum present between eye and antennal fossa on each side, and most of rest of dorsal surface of head carinulate; postpetiole from above oval.

Minor: multicolored, as described below; propodeal spines thick, curved, and as long as the propodeal basal face anterior to them.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.94, HL 0.90, SL 0.66, EL 0.14, PW 0.50. Paratype minor: HW 0.50, HL 0.50, SL 0.62, EL 0.10, PW 0.34.

COLOR Major: multicolored; mesosoma and waist dark brown; posterior rear half of head, a large circular patch covering part of vertex, and all of frontal triangle and clypeus medium brown; and rest of body clear yellow.

Minor: head, mesosoma, and waist dark brown; gaster pale yellow; appendages light to brownish yellow.



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

Type Locality Information
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (GREATER ANTILLES): Hotel Nueva Sueza, Constanza, La Vega Prov., 1300 m (William L. and Doris E. Brown).

Etymology
NL harlequina for harlequin, clown in multicolored, brightly patterned costume.