Pheidole hyatti

Emery, 1895

Hyatt's Big-headed Ant

Pheidole hyatti is a of big-headed in the Formicidae. Native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Guatemala, it has become in Hawaii and possibly established in Panama, Bolivia, and Argentina. The species was described by Emery in 1895 and contains one accepted , Pheidole hyatti hyatti. As a member of the hyperdiverse Pheidole, it exhibits the characteristic with distinct major and minor worker .

Pheidole hyatti by (c) Jake Nitta, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jake Nitta. Used under a CC-BY license.Pheidole hyatti var. ecitonodora by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Pheidole hyatti var. ecitonodora by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pheidole hyatti: //faɪˈdoʊli ˈhaɪətaɪ//

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Identification

Distinguishable from other Pheidole by morphological characters of the major and minor , though specific diagnostic features require expert examination. The species name honors Hyatt.

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Habitat

Native range includes arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. in Hawaii occupy disturbed .

Distribution

Native: southwestern United States, Mexico, Guatemala. : Hawaii. Possibly present: Panama, Bolivia, Argentina.

Human Relevance

Recognized as an in Hawaii, where it has been introduced beyond its native range. Its spread by human activity follows the pattern of other tramp ant .

Similar Taxa

  • Pheidole megacephalaBoth are big-headed ants with similar , but P. megacephala is a global supertramp with much broader invasive distribution
  • Other Pheidole speciesOver 1,000 in share major/minor system; species-level identification requires examination of specific morphological characters

More Details

Taxonomic history

The was first described by Carlo Emery in 1895. A single , Pheidole hyatti hyatti, is currently recognized.

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