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Pheidole alpestrisHNS new species

Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.

etymology L alpestrisHNS, of high mountains.

diagnosis A small, brown member of the diligensHNS group distinguished in both major and minor by the low mesonotal convexity, shallow metanotal depression in side view, and hence a more cylindrical form of the mesosoma overall in side view than is usual for PheidoleHNS; a small convexity atop the metanotal depression in side view; large, robust propodeal spines; and dense erect to suberect pilosity over the entire body; pubescence absent.

Major: a secondary convexity on the pronotum and a small, angular subpostpetiolar process evident in side view. Minor: ventral profile of head capsule flat in side view.

Very close to, and possibly synonymous with, cameroniHNS, but distinguished by, among other traits, much denser pilosity and the absence of carinulae mesad to the eye in the major.

Measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.02, HL 1.02, SL 0.78, EL 0.20, PW 0.54.

Paratype minor: HW 0.54, HL 0.62, SL 0.44, EL 0.12, PW 0.34.

Color Major: concolorous medium brown.

Minor: concolorous light brown.

range Known only from the type locality.

biology Two colonies of the types were taken by Ward under a stone in Baccharis scrub, at roadside.

Figure Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. ECUADOR: 6 km southeast of Pifo, Pichincha, 0°15'S 78°18'W, 2900 m (Philip S. Ward). Scale bars = 1 mm.