Formicidae, Hymenoptera, Insecta, Arthropoda, Animalia
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Range
Southern Mexico to Panama. Costa Rica: widespread in Atlantic and Pacific slope wet forest, sea level to 1500m.
Identification
Mesosomal dorsum with erect hairs; opening of propodeal spiracle viewed perpendicularly slit-shaped, more than twice as long as wide; mandible with approximately 12 teeth; dorsal outline of mesosoma interrupted by a distinct, impressed propodeal groove, so that the mesonotum forms a convexity separate from the more or less convex propodeal dorsum; in full-face view, a line drawn through the centers of the eyes falls near head mid-head, crossing near posterior limits of frontal carinae; cheeks with a distinct carina reaching from clypeal wing to eye margin; anterior face of petiolar node perpendicular, forming an angular anterodorsal summit; center of vertex convex, covered with very coarse, diverging-longitudinal striation, free of pubescence, shining and contrasting strongly with the surrounding areas of fine sculpture and pubescence; center of posterior face of node usually coarsely vertically rugose.
Natural History
This species is a moderately abundant arboreal ant. It is an opportunistic cavity nester, and may be found in hollow dead branches, hollow live stems, under epiphyte mats, in stumps, in damaged Cecropia trees, and in the lower internodes of Cecropia saplings. Colonies are small, no more than a few dozen workers. Workers may construct carton walls to restrict entrance holes and to make partitions within cavities.
Type Data
Pachycondyla lineaticeps Mayr 1866:502. Syntype worker: Mexico.
Literature Cited
Mayr, G. 1866. Myrmecologische Beitrage. Sitzungsberichte der k. Akademie der Wissenschaften. Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Classe 53:484-517.
Page author:
John T. Longino, The Evergreen State College, Olympia WA 98505 USA.longinoj@evergreen.edu
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