Pheidole tenuis

Collected from a slope covered by spiny bamboo (Guadua). (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Known only from the type locality. (Wilson 2003)

This taxon was described from Colombia.

Description
A member of the diligens group similar to Pheidole calimana, Pheidole cataractae, Pheidole demeter, Pheidole machetula, Pheidole scimitara and Pheidole sicaria, distinguished as follows.

Major: scape just reaches occipital border; propodeal spines stout, one-fourth as long as basal propodeal face; postpetiolar node laterally angulate; lower mesopleuron and middle of propodeal side with short, broken rugulae; cephalic carinulae do not extend posteriorly beyond eye.

Minor: occiput narrowed but lacking nuchal collar; mesonotal convexity in side view very small and subangulate; genae lacking carinulae.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.80, HL 0.80, SL 0.84, EL 0.12, PW 0.44. Paratype minor: HW 0.44, HL 0.52, SL 0.62, EL 0.10, PW 0.28.

COLOR Major: head bicolorous, with narrow strip on clypeus and genae yellowish brown, and remainder dark brown; body concolorous dark brown.

Minor: body blackish brown, appendages medium brown.



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

Type Locality Information
COLOMBIA: Finca Los Guadales, 10 km south of San José del Palmar, Rio Torito, Chocó, 760 m (Charles Kugler).

Etymology
L tenuis, thin, referring to the body shape.