Pheidole caribbaea Wheeler

Pheidole caribbaea Wheeler

Pheidole caribbaea Wheeler 191 la: 23. Syn.: P. caribbaea subsp. sloanei Wheeler 1917g: 459, n. syn.

Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.

Etymology Refers to region of origin.

Diagnosis A brown member of the fallax group whose major has the dorsal surface of the head completely covered with longitudinal parallel carinulae, except the extreme occipital strip (seen in full-face view), which is smooth and shiny; pronotum and anterior mesonotum completely covered with transverse carinulae; postpetiolar node trapezoidal; anterior half of the first gastral tergite shagreened; and head densely covered with mostly erect to suberect hairs.

Close to mantilla of Costa Rica and kukrana of Nicaragua but differing in details of head shape, sculpture, pilosity, and color (q.v.); see also cardinalis, obscurior, rubiceps.

Measurements (mm) Syntype major: HW 1.12, HL 1.20, SL 0.96, EL 0.20, PW 0.58. Syntype minor: HW 0.52, HL 0.66, SL 0.92, EL 0.14, PW 0.34.

Color Major: head medium brown, mesosoma dark brown, waist and gaster medium to dark brown, appendages light to medium brown.

Minor: body concolorous medium brown, appendages medium to yellowish brown.

Range Known only from Jamaica, an apparent endemic.

Biology Unknown.

Figure Upper: syntype, major. Lower: syntype, minor. JAMAICA: Balaclava: Scale bars = 1 mm.