Pheidole tuxtlasana ^HNS new species

Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.

Etymology Names after the type locality.

Diagnosis A yellow species, distinguished from other members of the punctatissima ^HNS group as follows. Major: rugoreticula cover rear quarter of the dorsal head surface except for a narrow band of carinulae at the midline, with some rugoreticula extending all the way along the side of the head to the eye; promesonotum trilobous in dorsal-oblique view; propodeal spines long and stout; postpetiolar node diamond-shaped, with angular lateral margins.

Minor: humerus angulate, anterior face of propodeum in side view topped by an obtuse angle and descends steeply to the metanotum; mesosomal pilosity sparse; head and dorsal surface of the mesosoma foveolate and opaque.

Measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.72, HL 0.72, SL 0.52, EL 0.12, PW 0.34.

Paratype minor: HW 0.38, HL 0.44, SL 0.52, EL 0.08, PW 0.26.

Color Major and minor: concolorous yellow.

Range Known only from the type locality.

Biology The type series was sifted from litter on the floor of lowland forest.

Figure Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. MEXICO: Estacion Biologica Los Tuxtlas, 10 km north-northwest of Sontecomepan, Veracruz, 18°35TSf 95°05 W, 200 m (Philip S. Ward). Scale bars = 1 mm.