Pheidole tschinkeli ^HNS new species

Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.

Etymology Named after the collector and distinguished myrmecologist Walter R. Tschinkel.

diagnosis A member of the diligens ^HNS group similar to anima ^HNS, indistincta ^HNS, perdiligens ^HNS, and piceonigra ^HNS, differing markedly as follows. Major: propodeal spines stout, half as long as the basal propodeal face, and curved posteriorly; antennal scapes just reach the occipital border; mesopleuron and sides of propodeum longitudinally rugulose; postpetiolar node laterally angular; pilosity sparse and long, with some hairs 2X the Eye Length; head bicolorous.

Minor: propodeal spines stout, half as long as the basal propodeal face; mesopleuron longitudinally rugulose; occiput narrowed but lacking nuchal collar.

Measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.04, HL 1.00, SL 0.82, EL 0.20, PW 0.54. Paratype minor: HW 0.56, HL 0.66, SL 0.80, EL 0.04, PW 0.42.

Color Major: head and body dark, almost blackish brown except for genae, which are dark yellow; appendages brownish to medium yellow.

Minor: head and body dark, almost blackish brown; appendages brownish to medium brown.

Range Known only from the type locality.

Biology The nest of the type colony was found in a piece of rotten wood near the Tikal ruins.

Figure Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. GUATEMALA: El Peten Tikal National Park, near ruins (Walter R. Tschinkel). Scale bars = 1 mm.