Author: Alfred BUSCHINGER & Andreas SCHULZ Year: 2008 Title: Leptothorax athabasca sp.n. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Alberta, Canada, an ant with an apparently restricted range Journal: Myrmecological News Volume: 11 Pages: 243-248 Keywords: Formicoxenini, Leptothorax, new species, Nearctic Region, Canada, Alberta, restricted range, life habits Abstract: Gyne (holotype), worker and male of Leptothorax athabasca sp.n. are described from the Athabasca River valley, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. The most characteristic features of gyne and worker are a sharp dorsal crest of the petiolar node, a straight dorsal profile of the mesosoma, acute and straight horizontal propodeal spines, and a comparatively flat dorsal surface of the mesosoma. Leptothorax athabasca sp.n. has been found in only one very small plot of a few 100 square meters, upriver of Athabasca Falls south of Jasper. It appears to be a rare, local species with adaptations to dwelling rock crevices. Possible reasons for such a restricted range are discussed. The new species nests in rock crevices, an exception among its congeners which usually are found in dead wood. Publisher: Österreichische Gesellschaft für Entomofaunistik ISSN: 1994-4136