Pheidole inermis

The species has been collected in montane forest, in one case (Mina El Mochito, Honduras) from rotting wood. (Wilson 2003)

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
I have verified series of inermis from Veracruz, Mexico (Cuichapa, 1600 m); Honduras (Mina El Mochito, Santa Barbara,1040 m; Lago Yojoa, Cortes, 700 m); and Nicaragua (Matagalpa, 1200+ m). (Wilson 2003)

This taxon was described from Mexico.

Nomenclature

 *  inermis. Pheidole inermis Mayr, 1870b: 984 (s.w.) MEXICO. See also: Wilson, 2003: 146.

Description
From Wilson (2003): Distinguished from all other members of the biconstricta group and most of Pheidole species by the absence of propodeal spines in the major and minor. In full-face view, occipital cleft of major relatively shallow, occipital lobes tending toward subangulate.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Lectotype major: HW 1.84, HL 1.72, SL 1.06, EL 0.24, PW 0.84. Paralectotype minor: HW 0.80, HL 0.94, SL 1.10, EL 0.14, PW 0.54.

COLOR Major: most of body light reddish brown, with mandibles, postpetiole, and gaster medium reddish brown.

Minor: gaster medium brown, rest of body light reddish brown.



'''Figure. Upper: lectotype, major. Lower: paralectotype, minor. Scale bars = 1 mm.'''

Type Material
- as reported in Wilson (2003)

Type Locality Information
From Wilson (2003): MEXICO (no further data; col. Edward Norton, 1860s).

Etymology
L inermis, unarmed, referring to the absence of propodeal spines. (Wilson 2003)

Additional References
Mayr, G. 1870b. Neue Formiciden. Verh. K-K. Zool.-Bot. Ges. Wien 20: 939–996.

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