Pheidole marmor

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.

Identification
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).

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

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Guatemala.

Minor
Images from AntWeb

Queen
Images from AntWeb

Nomenclature

 *  marmor. Pheidole marmor Longino, 2019: 46, fig. 18 (w.q.) GUATEMALA.

Type Material

 * 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].

Etymology
In reference to the marble mines that were near 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