- Pheidole
Taxobox
name = "Pheidole"
image_width = 250px
image_caption = "Pheidole dentata"
regnum =Animal ia
phylum =Arthropod a
classis =Insect a
ordo =Hymenoptera
familia = Formicidae
subfamilia =Myrmicinae
genus = "Pheidole"
genus_authority = Westwood, 1839
diversity_link = Pheidole
diversity = c. 1,000 speciescite book |author=E. O. Wilson |year=2003 |title="Pheidole" in the New World: A Hyperdiverse Ant Genus |publisher-Harvard University Press |id=ISBN 0-674-00293-8]
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = many, see text"Pheidole" is a
genus ofant that belongs to the ant subfamilyMyrmicinae .The genus "Pheidole" is a widespread and ecologically dominant genus containing as many as a thousand species . Most species of "Pheidole" are dimorphic, which means that a given colony contains two kinds of workers: (1) the "minor workers," and (3) the "major" workers, or "soldiers," which generally have enormous heads and mandibles in comparison to their usually fairly modest body size. Although there are different types of workers, this dimorphism is not to be confused with different worker castes. The dimorphism between the majors and the minors occurs due to allometry, the change of an organisms shape as the organism grows over time, in a similar way that humans change shape from the infant stage. The body structure size between the majors and minors is not proportional. In addition, a colony contains one or several queens, and (in mature colonies) virgin, winged females and males, as most ants do. The distinctive major workers have earned the genus "Pheidole" the nickname of "big headed ants." It is important to note that the majors of a "Pheidole" colony, while they may look fierce, are often quite shy and are often the first to flee on any hint of danger. In most cases, the major workers are utilized within the nest to break up large food items, or outside to carry large items, like seeds; many "Pheidole" species are ecologically important seed consumers ("harvesters").
External links
* [http://www.myrmecos.net/myrmicinae/pheidole.html Myrmecos.net images of live "Pheidole"]
* [http://www.antweb.org/description.do?rank=genus&name=pheidole gallery of Pheidole specimen images] , on Antweb.orgReferences
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