Pheidole carinote Longino, 2009, new species

Pheidole carinote new species

Figure 3

Holotype major worker. Costa Rica, Puntarenas: 13km SSW Pto. Jimenez, 8.40667°N 83.32833°W, ±200m, 130m, 10 Mar 2008 (J. Longino#6209-51) [INBC, unique specimen identifier JTLC 000014045].

Paratypes: major and minor workers. Same data as holotype; same data as holotype but J. Longino#6209-40, 6209-53, 6209-59, 6209-60, 6207-s; Costa Rica, Puntarenas: 10km SW Pto. Jimenez, 8.46553°N 83.36928°W, ±30m, 240m, 12 Mar 2008 (J. Longino#6197-s) [BMNH, CAS, EAPZ, ECOSCE, FMNH, INBC, JTLC, LACM, MCZ, MHNG, MIZA, MZSP, MEL, UCD, UNAM, ICN, USNM, UVGC].

Geographic Range

Costa Rica.

Diagnosis

With the morphometric profile and habitus of P. harrisonfordi (with which it is sympatric) and many other small Pheidole. The frontal carinae of the minor worker are greatly enlarged, laminar, and projecting over the clypeus, a condition unique to this species. The major workers are very similar to major workers of P. harrisonfordi, but with frontal carinae larger, more elevated and slightly projecting (the frontal carina character is less well developed in major workers than minor workers, and makes majors of P. carinote more difficult to identify than minor workers).

Description of minor worker

Measurements (paratype): HL 0.50, HW 0.47, HLA 0.17, SL 0.40, EL 0.09, ML 0.55, PSL 0.07, PMG 0.00, SPL 0.03, PTW 0.09, PPW 0.14, CI 95, SI 84, PSLI 13, PMGI 0, SPLI 6, PPI 159.

Measurements (n=10): HL 0.43-0.50, HW 0.41-0.47, SL 0.35-0.42, CI 91-95, SI 84-89.

Mandible smooth and shining; anterior clypeus smooth and shining with 2-4 longitudinal rugulae, posterior clypeus between frontal carinae obscurely foveolate; frontal carinae expanded anteriorly as rounded laminar plates that project freely over clypeus; face uniformly foveolate; margin of vertex rounded with median impression; occipital carina narrow, not visible in full face view; scape foveolate, with abundant suberect to decumbent setae equal to or shorter than maximum width of scape; promesonotal groove absent; propodeal spines present; entire mesosoma foveolate; abundant setae on promesonotal dorsum; dorsal (outer) margin of hind tibia with short subdecumbent setae, shorter than maximum width of tibia; first gastral tergum smooth and shining; gastral dorsum with moderately abundant erect setae; color red brown.

Description of major worker

Measurements (holotype): HL 0.91, HW 0.85, HLA 0.25, SL 0.44, EL 0.13, ML 0.72, PSL 0.07, PMG 0.00, SPL 0.04, PTW 0.16, PPW 0.34, IHT 0.17, OHT 0.35, CI 94, SI 52, PSLI 7, PMGI 0, SPLI 5, PPI 214, HTI 47.

Measurements (n=9): HL 0.81-0.94, HW 0.77-0.87, SL 0.42-0.45, CI 93-97, SI 48-55.

Mandible smooth and shiny; clypeus smooth and shiny, flat to slightly concave anteriorly, anterior border emarginate; posterior portion with obsolete foveolation laterally; frontal carina expanded into bluntly triangular lamina, elevated and projecting a short distance over clypeus; face foveolate throughout, overlain with longitudinal rugulae between frontal carinae and between frontal carina and compound eye, grading to reticulate rugulae on scrobal area, fading completely on vertex lobes; head with abundant suberect setae projecting from sides of head in face view; scape foveolate, terete at base, with abundant erect setae subequal in length to maximum width of scape; hypostomal margin flat; median tooth a small, blunt gibbosity; inner hypostomal teeth pointed, stout, closer to midline than to outer hypostomal teeth; promesonotal groove absent; propodeal spines present; mesosoma largely foveolate; dorsal (outer) margin of hind tibia with suberect to decumbent setae, the longest of which subequal in length to maximum width of tibia; pilosity abundant on mesosomal dorsum; postpetiole in dorsal view transverse, with well-developed conules; first gastral tergite with obsolete foveolate sculpture anteriorly, grading to smooth and shining posteriorly, with abundant erect to suberect setae; color red brown.

Biology

This species occurs in lowland rainforest leaf litter. It is known from numerous Winkler samples of sifted leaf litter from the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica. Major workers and minor workers occur in Winkler samples. A minor worker was collected in the stomach contents of a dendrobatid frog ("Dendrobates granuliferus" on label).

Etymology

The name is in reference to the large frontal carinae of the minor worker.

Additional material examined

COSTA RICA: Puntarenas, Rincon, 8°40'N, 83°28'W, 50m (USC-CRE); Sirena, Corcovado National Park, 8°29'N, 83°36'W, 50m (J. Longino); Rancho Quemado, Osa Peninsula, 8°42'N, 83°33'W, 200m (J. Longino).