Pheidole angustinigra

This species is known from one site in Guatemala. It was an area of dry scrub habitat. Minor and major workers recruited to multiple ground baits placed on a grassy slope and in a stream gully.

Identification
Minor: face foveolate; promesonotal groove distinct, impressed; entire mesosoma foveolate; propodeal spines about one half length of posterior face of propodeum; gaster shagreened on anterior half, rest smooth and shining; mesosomal dorsum and gaster with abundant, short, stiff setae; tibiae without erect setae; color dark brown to black.

Major: inner hypostomal teeth absent; scape base terete; space between eye and antennal fossa foveolate, overlain with rugulae; medial frons between frontal carinae foveolate, overlain with fine, longitudinal carinulae; rest of face smooth and shining; propodeal spines about one half length of posterior face of propodeum; gastral dorsum shagreened on anterior half, fading to smooth and shining posteriorly; sides of head lacking erect setae; other pilosity similar to minor worker; color dark brown.

Measurements, minor worker: HW 0.46, HL 0.55, SL 0.58, EL 0.13, WL 0.69, PSL 0.04, PTW 0.09, PPW 0.14, CI 85, SI 126, PSLI 10, PPI 154 (n=2).

Measurements, major worker: HW 0.91, HL 0.98, SL 0.62, EL 0.15, WL 0.84, PSL 0.07, PTW 0.15, PPW 0.23, CI 92, SI 68, PSLI 9, PPI 152 (n=3).

In Economo et al. (2019) this species (as JTL200) is very close to Pheidole angusticeps. The measurements and general habitus are similar, but the species differ strongly in color of the minors and majors (black vs. orange) and the sculpture of the major face (mostly smooth and shiny vs. entirely foveolate).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Guatemala.

Nomenclature

 *  angustinigra. Pheidole angustinigra Longino, 2019: 23, fig. 15 (w.) GUATEMALA.

Type Material

 * HOLOTYPE: 1 major worker, Guatemala, Zacapa: 7.5km NE Teculután, 15.04367 -89.67501 ±200 m, 475 m, 28-Jun-2009, grassy slope, at bait (J. Longino, JTL6776-s) [MCZC, unique specimen identifier CASENT0612769].
 * PARATYPES: major, minor workers: same data as holotype [CAS, MCZC, USNM, UVGC]; same data except JTL6787-s [DZUP]; same data except JTL6788-s [JTLC].

Etymology
Related to P. angusticeps, with black color.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

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