Formicidae, Hymenoptera, Insecta, Arthropoda, Animalia
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Additional images: worker, third abdominal tergite, dorsal view (large).
Range
Costa Rica: Atlantic slope, 1100-1500m, Cordillera Volcanica Central.
Identification
Mesosomal dorsum setose; no carina between mandible and eye; orifice of propodeal spiracle circular, not slit-shaped (note that other species may have a circular boss around the spiracular orifice, but orifice itself is slit-shaped); clypeus truncate anteriorly; color red brown; ventral margin of petiole with flat, horizontal flange projecting posteriorly to near posterior margin of petiole; petiole in lateral view somewhat tapering apically; mandibles smooth and shining, not striate or only very faintly striate, basal sulcus faint to absent; pubescence of third abdominal tergite short, dilute; hind tibia lacking erect setae; head width 1.28-1.41mm.
Similar species: panamensis, JTL-015, JTL-016, JTL-017, JTL-018.
Natural History
This species occurs in montane wet forest. It is known from five workers in four collections: one collection from the 1100m site and three from the 1500m site on the Barva transect in Braulio Carrillo National Park and vicinity. All of them were from under epiphyte mats. In one case a lone worker was in a chamber with brood, and in the field it looked like a foundress queen. Thus it is possible that workers can reproduce in this species.
Morphologically, this species is only slightly differentiated from Pachycondyla JTL-015. However, the correlated microhabitat difference (under epiphytes versus in leaf litter on the forest floor) supports the hypothesis that they are separate species.
Comments
See additional observations on ferruginea complex under panamensis.
Page author:
John T. Longino, The Evergreen State College, Olympia WA 98505 USA.longinoj@evergreen.edu
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