A new species of ant, Pyramica JTL-012, a global singleton, was collected from the Volcan Barva TEAM Site.  John Longino, the Lead Scientist for the Ant Protocol, has identified the species from the Pyramica genus, with its closest relative most likely the P. minuscule from southern Brazil.  Both the new specimen and the Brazilian species are known from a single specimen.   For more information, including photos, on Pyramica JTL-012, please click here.

Another specimen has been initially identified as a worker from the Typhlomyrmex prolatus species.  This species is also only know from one specimen, a queen that was collected near San Jose, Costa Rica around 1940.  For more information, including photos, on Typhlomyrmex prolatus , please click here.

John Longino credits these discoveries to the hard work of Karol Mora, a technician for the Ant Protocol at this site.  “Not only can she sort a large number of specimens to species, she can recognize when one does not fit.  Good job!” says John.