Pheidole marmor, Longino, 2019

Longino, John T., 2019, Pheidole (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of Middle American Wet Forest, Zootaxa 4599 (1), pp. 1-126 : 46

Pheidole marmor new species

( Plate 18 )

Pheidole JTL-149: morphospecies code previously used on AntWeb.

HOLOTYPE: 1 major worker, Guatemala, Zacapa: 8.5km NE Tuculután , 15.05872 -89.67638 ± 50 m, 1100 m, 6-Jul-2007, pine oak forest, ex sifted leaf litter (J. Longino, JTL6016-s) [ MCZC, unique specimen identifier JTLC000009834 ] . PARATYPES: major, minor worker, queen: same data as holotype [ CAS, DZUP, JTLC, MCZC, USNM, UVGC] .

Geographic range. Guatemala.

Diagnosis. Minor: face and entire mesosoma uniformly foveolate; promesonotal groove present, distinctly impressed; propodeal spines short, one quarter to one third length of posterior face of propodeum; gaster shagreened on anterior half, smooth and shining posteriorly; mesosomal dorsum with sparse stiff setae, tibia lacking erect setae or with one or two erect setae, gastral dorsum lacking appressed pubescence, and with no to sparse erect setae; color dark red brown. Major: inner hypostomal teeth widely spaced, acicular; scape base terete; face uniformly foveolate, overlain with variably developed irregular rugulae laterally, rugulae strongest between eye and antennal fossa, fading posteriorly; promesonotal groove impressed; propodeal spines about one third length of posterior face of propodeum; gastral dorsum shagreened on anterior half, smooth and shining posteriorly; pilosity pattern similar to minor worker, except with additional sparse, short, fully appressed setae on gastral dorsum; color dark red brown.

Measurements, minor worker: HW 0.47, HL 0.58, SL 0.69, EL 0.12, WL 0.73, PSL 0.04, PTW 0.13, PPW 0.15, CI 81, SI 148, PSLI 9, PPI 118 (n=1).

Measurements, major worker: HW 0.78, HL 0.86, SL 0.69, EL 0.15, WL 0.86, PSL 0.07, PTW 0.16, PPW 0.22, CI 91, SI 89, PSLI 9, PPI 133 (n=1).

Measurements, queen: HW 0.95, HL 0.88, SL 0.82, EL 0.30, WL 1.52, PSL 0.10, PTW 0.33, PPW 0.46, CI 108, SI 86, PSLI 11, PPI 139 (n=1).

Biology. This species is known from one Winkler sample of sifted litter and rotten wood, in a mid-elevation mesic pine-oak forest. Numerous minor workers, major workers, and two dealate queens occurred in the sample.

Comments. This species is relatively distinctive with respect to measurements. In appearance it is like a small version of P. pugnax .

Etymology: In reference to the marble mines that were near the type locality.

Figures

PLATE 18.