Pheidole rubiceps

Nothing is known about the biology of rubiceps.

Identification
See the description in the nomenclature section.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Venezuela.

Nomenclature

 *  rubiceps. Pheidole rubiceps Wilson, 2003: 345, figs. (s.w.) VENEZUELA.

Description
A member of the fallax group, closest to Pheidole cardinalis, Pheidole caribbaea, Pheidole kukrana, Pheidole mantilla and Pheidole obscurior (=Pheidole susannae) (also scan Pheidole alienata, Pheidole fallax, Pheidole jelskii, Pheidole lanigera, Pheidole lattkei, Pheidole lovejoyi, Pheidole nubicola, Pheidole puttemansi, Pheidole roushae, Pheidole susannae and Pheidole tobini), and distinguished by the following combination of traits.

Major: tip of antennal scape approaches occipital corner to within scape maximum width; posterior dorsal profile of head very weakly concave; bicolorous, with reddish yellow head and brown body; propodeal spine long and thin; postpetiole diamondshaped; pronotum bare of carinulae.

Minor: propodeal spine moderately long and very thin (needle-like); mesonotal convexity angulate; nuchal collar present.

MEASUREMENTS (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.22, HL 1.36, SL 1.12, EL 0.20, PW 0.60. Paratype minor: HW 0.60, HL 0.82, SL 1.20, EL 0.16, PW 0.42.

COLOR Major: bicolorous, with head and mandibles reddish yellow and body a contrasting plain medium brown; legs light brown except for tarsi, which are yellow.



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

Type Material
VENEZUELA: Rancho Grande, 1100 m, col. R. W. Poole.

Etymology
L rubiceps, red-headed.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Franco W., N. Ladino, J. H. C. Delabie, A. Dejean, J. Orivel, M. Fichaux, S. Groc, M. Leponce, and R. M. Feitosa. 2019. First checklist of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of French Guiana. Zootaxa 4674(5): 509-543.
 * Groc S., J. H. C. Delabie, F. Fernandez, F. Petitclerc, B. Corbara, M. Leponce, R. Cereghino, and A. Dejean. 2017. Litter-dwelling ants as bioindicators to gauge the sustainability of small arboreal monocultures embedded in the Amazonian rainforest. Ecological Indicators 82: 43-49.
 * Groc S., J. H. C. Delabie, F. Fernandez, M. Leponce, J. Orivel, R. Silvestre, Heraldo L. Vasconcelos, and A. Dejean. 2013. Leaf-litter ant communities (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in a pristine Guianese rainforest: stable functional structure versus high species turnover. Myrmecological News 19: 43-51.