Pyramica cascanteae, John T. LONGINO, 2006

John T. LONGINO, 2006, New species and nomenclatural changes for the Costa Rican ant fauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Myrmecologische Nachrichten 8, pp. 131-143 : 138-139

Pyramica cascanteae sp.n. ( Figs. 16, 20)

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, INB 0003623928 ( INBC).

Paratypes: 1 worker, same data as holotype but 10. II.2004, 03/B/BE/004, INB 0003623947 ( MCZC) ; 1 worker, 13.II.2004, 03/TN/17/010, INB 0003619741 ( LACM) ; 1 worker, Costa Rica: Alajuela Prov., Par. Nac. Arenal , Sendero Pilón (10° 27' N, 84° 43' W), 600 m elevation, 26. II.2003, leg. J.S. Noyes, JTLC000004301 ( JTLC).

Diagnosis of worker: 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 of holotype: ML 0.348, HL 0.634, HW 0.530, SL 0.265, MeL 0.616.

Etymology: Named for Flor Cascante, Project ALAS Parataxonomist from 2001 to 2005.

Range: Costa Rica.

Biology: This species is known from the 300 m 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.