Rogeria terescandens

Specimens of Rogeria terescandens have been taken from trees in lowland forest on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. The holotype was collected in a two week old treefall by general collecting on trunks. The paratype was on or beneath a thick epiphyte mat on the base of a fallen branch (J. Longino unpublished field notes). Longino also reports (Ants of Costa Rica 1998) "The ALAS project at La Selva Biological Station produced two more workers, from a canopy fogging sample. The species is apparently a rare canopy dweller."

Identification
Kugler (1994) - scandens species group. Like that of Rogeria scandens, except: 1) Propodeal spines shorter, 2) petiolar node lower, more slender (PetW/PetL0.40-0.41), 3) postpetiole narrower (PpetW/PpetL 1.08-1.16), and 4) macrosculp ture very weak, especially on mesosoma and waist, and 5) eye slightly smaller.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Costa Rica.

Castes
Only known from workers.

Nomenclature

 *  terescandens. Rogeria terescandens Kugler, C. 1994: 39, fig. 21 (w.) COSTA RICA.

Worker
Holotype and Paratype. TL 3.6, HL (0.88)-0.89, HW (0.68)-0.70, 5L (0.70)-0.71, EL 0.16 (49-54 facets), PW (0.50)-0.52, WL 1.00, 5pL (0.18)-0.21, PetL (0.45)-0.47, PpetL 0.25mm, CI (0.77)-0.79, OI 0.23-(0.24), SI 1 .01-(1 .03), PSI (0.18)-0.21. N=2.

Also differing from Rogeria scandens in the following ways. Mandible with 6 teeth. Profile of mesosoma dorsum almost evenly convex; no metanotal groove or ridge at front of propodeum. Median carinulae on clypeus weak; no lateral carinulae. Head dorsum densely microareolate; overlain on mid dorsum by wisps of of longitudinal rugulae, on laterodorsa by faint reticulations, and on posterior of head by fragmented, transversely arching rugulae. Microsculpture on sides and posterior head effaced. Mesosoma dorsum, including dorsal face of propodeum, densely microareolate, with superimposed patches of fine rugulose-areolate macrosculpture. Pronotal sides shiny and coriarious with some effaced longitudinal rugulae. Mesopleura and metapleura also shiny near coxae, but more opaque dorsad with microareolate and confused rugulose sculpture. Sides of petiolarnode shiny, with effaced microareolate background and vestigial longitudinal rugulae. Postpetiole smooth and shiny.

Type Material
Holotype locality. COSTA RICA: Osa Peninsula, Sirena, 8.28N 83.3SW, 50m, 3-III-1982, #0950 (J. Longino). Paratype locality. 1 worker, holotype locality, 28-V-1981, #1 100 (J. Longino).

Etymology
The name of this species refers to sculpture like that of Rogeria scandens, but smoother, as if rubbed (teres L., rubbed off).