Formicidae, Hymenoptera, Insecta, Arthropoda, Animalia
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Identification
Minor worker: size and shape similar to scalaris. Head flattened and shallowly excavate behind; mesonotal suture absent; promesonotum evenly arched; propodeal spines short, spiniform; face and mesosoma uniformly foveolate except for shiny patch on side of pronotum; first gastral tergum smooth and shining; dorsal pilosity sparse, short, stiff; color orange.
Major worker: head similar to scalaris in size and shape; medial rugae on face longitudinal (transverse on scalaris); antennal scrobes shallow and not defined with a well marked border (scrobe sharply defined in scalaris).
Similar species: Pheidole scalaris.
Range
Mexico (type locality), Nicaragua, Costa Rica. Costa Rica: Atlantic lowlands.
Natural History
Wilson (2003) describes the range as "Known from the type series; from near Cuichapa, Veracruz, 1600 m; and from Tuli Creek, near San Miguel, Nicaragua." Wilson states "In Veracruz, protensa has been found in both lowland rainforest and in montane cafetals, i.e., forest with coffee." The first Costa Rica record is from La Selva Biological Station. Steve Yanoviak collected minor workers and soldiers at a bait near STR400, while participating in the 2004 ant course.
Page author:
John T. Longino, The Evergreen State College, Olympia WA 98505 USA. longinoj@evergreen.edu
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