Pheidole tachirana ^HNS new species

Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.

Etymology Named after the state in which the type colony was found.

diagnosis Similar in various traits to cerina ^HNS, hizemops ^HNS, mackayi ^HNS, micon ^HNS, and tenebra ^HNS, differing as follows.

Major: reddish yellow; mesonotal convexity subangular; small subangulate process present on postpetiolar venter; anterior third of dorsum and posterior lower margin of pronotum carinulate; lower sides of pronotum foveolate; a small patch of rugoreticulum present posterior to each antennal fossa; carinulae just mesad to each eye extend only about 2X Eye Length beyond the eye.

Minor: head and mesosoma entirely foveolate; propodeal spines short and thin; occiput broad, its margin feebly concave, nuchal collar absent.

Measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 0.72, HL 0.84, SL 0.40, EL 0.12, PW 0.34.

Paratype minor: HW 0.40, HL 0.46, SL 0.42, EL 0.06, PW 0.24.

Color Major: body medium reddish yellow, appendages plain medium yellow.

Minor: body dark yellow, appendages medium yellow.

Range Known only from the type locality.

Biology A male was with the type colony at the time of collection 9 August.

figure Upper: holotype, major. Lower: paratype, minor. VENEZUELA: El Espinal, near Michelena, Tachira, 1260 m (John Lattke). Scale bars = 1 mm.