Pheidole atitlana

This species is known from one locality, in mature cloud forest on the slopes of Volcán Atitlán, Guatemala, between 1500-2100 m elevation. Workers occur at ground baits and in Winkler samples of sifted litter and rotten wood. A dealate queen was collected in a Winkler sample.

Identification
Minor: face foveolate, overlain with faint reticulate rugulae; promesonotum box-like, promesonotal groove weakly impressed; entire mesosoma foveolate, dorsal pronotum overlain with reticulate rugulae; propodeal spines about one half length of posterior face of propodeum; gaster smooth and shining; mesosomal dorsum and gaster with abundant, flexuous setae; tibiae with abundant, short, suberect setae (not differentiated into appressed pubescence and standing setae); color dark red brown.

Major: inner hypostomal teeth distinct, closely-spaced; scape base terete; face entirely foveolate, overlain throughout with weak reticulate rugulae; propodeal spines about one third length of posterior face of propodeum; gastral dorsum smooth and shining; sides of head with abundant erect setae, other pilosity similar to minor worker.

Measurements, minor worker: HW 0.55, HL 0.60, SL 0.55, EL 0.11, WL 0.73, PSL 0.08, PTW 0.10, PPW 0.18, CI 92, SI 99, PSLI 14, PPI 175 (n=5).

Measurements, major worker: HW 1.17, HL 1.24, SL 0.62, EL 0.15, WL 1.00, PSL 0.09, PTW 0.17, PPW 0.42, CI 95, SI 53, PSLI 8, PPI 251 (n=2).

Measurements, queen: HW 1.09, HL 0.93, SL 0.60, EL 0.29, WL 1.54, PSL 0.10, PTW 0.26, PPW 0.61, CI 118, SI 55, PSLI 9, PPI 237 (n=1).

Pheidole atitlana is part of a clade that contains P. rectitrudis, P. beloceps, and others (Economo et al. 2019, as JTL195).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Guatemala.

Nomenclature

 *  atitlana. Pheidole atitlana Longino, 2019: 23, fig. 32 (w.q.) GUATEMALA.

Type Material

 * HOLOTYPE: 1 major worker, Guatemala, Suchitepéquez: 3km S Vol. Atitlán, 14.55383 -91.1932 ±14 m, 1790 m, 16-Jun-2009, cloud forest, at bait on ground (J. Longino, JTL6720-s) [MCZC, unique specimen identifier CASENT0612671].
 * PARATYPES: major, minor workers: same data as holotype [JTLC, MCZC]; same data except 4km S Vol. Atitlán, 14.54826 -91.19294 ±56 m, 1575 m (LLAMA, Ba-B-09-2-04-01) [CAS]; Volcán Atitlán, 9.5km SE Santiago Atitlán, 14.55838 -91.19133 ±100 m, 2015 m, 10-Sep-2008, cloud forest, ex sifted leaf litter (M. G. Branstetter, MGB932) [UVGC]; Refugio El Quetzal, 14.55483 -91.19299 ±50 m, 1838 m, 15-Jun-2009, oak forest, ex sifted leaf litter (R. S. Anderson, RSA2009-102) [USNM].

Etymology
From the type locality.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Longino J. T. 2019. Pheidole (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of Middle American wet forest. Zootaxa 4599: 1-126