Pheidole ulothrix

Inhabits wet forest (Longino 1997).

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Atlantic slope of Costa Rica (Longino 1997).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Costa Rica, Panama.

Worker
Minor

Nomenclature

 *  ulothrix. Pheidole ulothrix Wilson, 2003: 530, figs. (s.w.) COSTA RICA.

Description
DIAGNOSIS A medium-sized light brown (major) to yellow (minor) species distinguished in the major by curved, subrecumbent hairs (hence “woolly” hairs) all along the mesosomal dorsum; longitudinal carinulae covering all of the head except the occiput, mid-clypeus, and frontal triangle; lack of rugoreticulum anywhere; and broadly oval postpetiolar node.

Similar to Pheidole delicata, but delicata has longer pilosity, none of which is “woolly,” shorter propodeal spines, narrow petiolar node apex, and other details in body form, sculpturing, and pilosity as shown.

See also the less similar Pheidole alticola, Pheidole chalca and Pheidole hazenae.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Major: HW 0.98, HL 0.96, SL 0.58, EL 0.12, PW 0.46. Minor: HW 0.50, HL 0.54, SL 0.54, EL 0.10, PW 0.30.

COLOR Major: gaster light brown; rest of body, as well as appendages, medium to dark yellow.

Minor: gaster brownish yellow, rest of body medium yellow, appendages light yellow.



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

Type Material
COSTA RICA: Braulio Carillo National Park, Heredia, 500 m, col. J. T. Longino.

Etymology
Gr ulothrix, woolly haired, referring to the hairs on the mesosomal dorsum.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Donoso D. A. 2014. Assembly mechanisms shaping tropical litter ant communities. Ecography 37 doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0587.2013.00253.x
 * Fernández, F. and S. Sendoya. 2004. Lista de las hormigas neotropicales. Biota Colombiana Volume 5, Number 1.
 * Longino J. T. L., and M. G. Branstetter. 2018. The truncated bell: an enigmatic but pervasive elevational diversity pattern in Middle American ants. Ecography 41: 1-12.