Pheidole obtusospinosa

Pergande, 1896

Blunt-spined Big-headed Ant

Pheidole obtusospinosa is a of big-headed in the Pheidole, characterized by soldier ants with enlarged, squared used for nest defense. The species belongs to the hyperdiverse ant genus Pheidole, which contains over 1,000 species globally. Soldiers of this species have been observed using their modified heads to block nest entrances against intruders, particularly army ants such as Eciton burchelli. The species was described by Pergande in 1896.

Pheidole obtusospinosa by (c) Jake Nitta, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jake Nitta. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pheidole obtusospinosa by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pheidole obtusospinosa: /faɪˈdoʊli ˌɒbtuːsoʊspaɪˈnoʊsə/

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Identification

Soldier ants possess disproportionately large, squared with blunt spines (obtuse angles at the corners), from which the derives its name. The squared head shape distinguishes soldiers from other Pheidole species, which typically have more rounded head morphologies. Major (soldiers) use these heads to physically block nest entrances. Minor workers are smaller with proportionate heads. The species exhibits the characteristic dimorphic worker system of the Pheidole.

Images

Behavior

Soldier ants have been observed using their enlarged, squared to block nest entrances against intruders, particularly as a defense against army ants (Eciton burchelli). This phragmotic involves soldiers positioning themselves at nest openings to physically obstruct access by . The behavior represents a specialized defensive within the .

Similar Taxa

Pheidole megacephalaAlso a big-headed with enlarged soldier , but P. megacephala soldiers have rounded rather than squared heads and lack the blunt spines characteristic of P. obtusospinosa
Carebara phragmotica / C. lilithThese African also exhibit phragmotic with modified used to block nest entrances, but they belong to a different and have concave, saucer-shaped heads covered in debris rather than squared heads