.jpg){kind=logo}
Pheidole musacolor
| Pheidole musacolor | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Myrmicinae |
| Tribe: | Attini |
| Genus: | Pheidole |
| Species: | P. musacolor |
| Binomial name | |
| Pheidole musacolor Longino, 2019
| |
This species occurs in montane wet forest. It is known from two ground baits.
Identification
Minor: face smooth and shining; head evenly rounded posteriorly; occipital carina thin; promesonotal groove present, distinctly impressed; lateral pronotum smooth and shiny; katepisternum uniformly foveate; propodeal spines long, similar in length to posterior face of propodeum; gaster smooth and shining; abundant, flexuous, erect setae on mesosomal dorsum, tibiae, and gastral dorsum; color yellow.
Major: inner hypostomal teeth widely spaced, acicular; scape base subterete, narrower than apical portion; face with irregular, rugulose foveolate sculpture anteriorly, to about level of eyes, remainder of face smooth and shiny; promesonotal groove impressed; propodeal spines about half length of posterior face of propodeum; gastral dorsum smooth and shining; abundant, erect, flexuous setae on face, sides of head, mesosomal dorsum, tibiae, and gastral dorsum.
Measurements, minor worker: HW 0.73, HL 0.87, SL 1.20, EL 0.19, WL 1.12, PSL 0.18, PTW 0.14, PPW 0.20, CI 85, SI 164, PSLI 25, PPI 140 (n=1).
Measurements, major worker: HW 1.52, HL 1.56, SL 1.18, EL 0.25, WL 1.42, PSL 0.18, PTW 0.26, PPW 0.35, CI 97, SI 77, PSLI 12, PPI 132 (n=1).
This species appears to be part of a complex of large, yellow species that occur in the mountains of southern Costa Rica. It is similar to the species Pheidole familiaparra, Pheidole savegre, and Pheidole tinamu from the Pacific slope. It is most similar to P. savegre, differing in finer, lighter-colored pilosity, and the major worker has a smoother, less sculptured face. The minor worker of P. familiaparra has a more tapered posterior head and a more pronounced occipital carina. The minor worker of P. tinamu is not readily distinguishable, but the major worker of P. tinamu is distinctive, with strongly heart-shaped head and strongly produced promesonotum. See additional notes under P. tinamu.
Distribution
Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Costa Rica (type locality).
Distribution based on AntMaps
Distribution based on AntWeb specimens
Check data from AntWeb
Countries Occupied
| Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species. |
|
Estimated Abundance
| Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species. |
|
Biology
Castes
Worker
Minor
Images from AntWeb
   
| |
| Paratype Minor. Specimen code CASENT0636692. Photographer Skylar Oswald. | |
Nomenclature
The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.
- musacolor. Pheidole musacolor Longino, 2019: 48, fig. 55 (w.) COSTA RICA.
Type Material
- HOLOTYPE: 1 major worker, Costa Rica, Limón: Cerro Plátano, 9.86621 -83.24203 ±50m, 1110m, 19-Jun-2015, cloud forest, along steep ridge near peak, at bait (ADMAC, Ba-E-03-1-03-03) [MUCR, unique specimen identifier CASENT0636691].
- PARATYPES: major, minor workers: same data as holotype [CAS, DZUP, JTLC, MCZC, USNM].
Description
Etymology
The color of a banana.
References
References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics
- Longino J. T. 2019. Pheidole (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of Middle American wet forest. Zootaxa 4599: 1-126