Dacetini, Formicidae, Hymenoptera, Insecta, Arthropoda, Animalia
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Above images of holotype. Additional images: holotype worker, dorsal view (small, large); mandible (large); scape (large); label (small, large); paratype worker JTLC000004301, face view (small, large); lateral view (small, large); mandible (small, large).
Range
Costa Rica: Cordillera Volcanica Central (Braulio Carrillo National Park, 300m) and Cordillera de Tilar‡n (Arenal).
Identification
Mandibles in full-face view linear, elongate and narrow; ventral surface of petiole without spongiform tissue; leading edge of scape with freely projecting hairs; inner margin of mandible without a tooth or distinctly enlarged denticle at or near the midlength; labral lobes short, trigger hairs at apices of lobes long; outer margins of mandibles relatively straight; mandibles short and thick, with inner margin convex; mandible with 3 small preapical teeth and no denticles; ground pilosity of head abundant and conspicuous; erect setae on gaster remiform; only a portion of katepisternum smooth and shining, side of propodeum punctate.
Differing from P. paniaguae as follows: (1) preapical mandibular dentition consisting of three distinct teeth or two apical teeth followed by a pair of denticles, two apical teeth nearly equal in size or second (more basad) tooth larger; (2) side of mesosoma mostly punctate, only katepisternum smooth and shining; (3) size smaller (see measurements).
Measurements (holotype): ML 0.348, HL 0.634, HW 0.530, SL 0.265, MeL 0.616.
Similar species: subedentata, oconitrilloae, paniaguae, gundlachi, eggersi, trieces.
Natural History
Members of the genus are all predaceous, with a static pressure mode of attack (Bolton 1999, 2000).
This species is known from the 300m site on the Barva transect in Braulio Carrillo National Park and from Arenal National Park. Workers have been collected in Berlese samples of epiphytic material, in a flight intercept trap, and in a sweep sample.
Types
Holotype worker: Costa Rica: Heredia Prov., 11 km ESE La Virgen (10¡21'N 84¡03'W), 300 m elevation, 9.III.2004, leg. Project ALAS 03/B/BE/037, INB0003623928 (INBC).
3 Paratype workers: same data as holotype but 10.II.2004, 03/B/BE/004, INB0003623947 (MCZC); 13.II.2004, 03/TN/17/010, INB0003619741 (LACM); Costa Rica: Alajuela Prov., Par. Nac. Arenal, Sendero Pil—n (10¡27'N 84¡43'W), 600 m elevation, 26.II.2003, leg. J. S. Noyes, JTLC000004301 (JTLC).
Etymology
Named for Flor Cascante, Project ALAS Parataxonomist from 2001 to 2005.
Literature Cited
Bolton, B. 1999. Ant genera of the tribe Dacetonini (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). J. Nat. Hist. 33:1639-1689.
Bolton, B. 2000. The ant tribe Dacetini, with a revision of the Strumigenys species of the Malagasy Region by Brian L. Fisher, and a revision of the Austral epopostrumiform genera by Steven O. Shattuck. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 65:1-1028.
Longino, J. T. 2006. New species and nomenclatural changes for the Costa Rican ant fauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Myrmecologische Nachrichten 8:131-143.
Page author:
John T. Longino, The Evergreen State College, Olympia WA 98505 USA.longinoj@evergreen.edu
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