Camponotus mina

Mackay and Mackay (2002) - An inhabitant of mesquite dominated desert. This species was present in the Chihuahuan Desert from at least 40,000 years ago until nearly recent time (Mackay and Elias, 1992). Specimens often nest in mesquite shrubs (Prosopis glandulosa).

Identification
The major of this species can be recognized as it has abundant erect hairs on most surfaces, nearly all with blunt tips, some are nearly spatulate, these hairs cover the head, several similar hairs are found on the scapes, longer erect hairs are present on the mesosoma, as well as on the gaster. The appressed pubescence is sparse. The anterior border of the clypeus is concave, the ant is black with reddish-brown or brown mandibles, antennae, and the tibiae. The minor is similar, except the hairs are finer. The region posterior to the eye and the pronotal shoulder are swollen. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Distribution
United States. Arizona, Texas and New Mexico. Mexico. Baja California, Chihuahua, Sonora.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Nearctic Region: United States. Neotropical Region: Mexico.



Biology
Wheeler (1910) described a subsequently synonymized variety, zuni, from specimens he collected "on the bark of old mesquite (Prosopis velutina) trees at Tucson, Arizona."

Nomenclature

 *  mina. Camponotus mina Forel, 1879a: 83 (s.) MEXICO. Creighton, 1965b: 6 (w.q.m.). Combination in C. (Myrmobrachys): Forel, 1914a: 270. Subspecies of senex: Emery, 1896d: 377. Revived status as species: Wheeler, W.M. 1910d: 346. Senior synonym of erythropus: Emery, 1895c: 336; of zuni: Creighton, 1965b: 3.
 * erythropus. Camponotus erythropus Pergande, 1893: 28 (s.w.) MEXICO. Junior synonym of mina: Emery, 1895c: 336.
 * zuni. Camponotus mina subsp. zuni Wheeler, W.M. 1910d: 346 (s.w.) U.S.A. Combination in C. (Myrmobrachys): Wheeler, W.M. 1917a: 562. Junior synonym of mina: Creighton, 1965b: 5.

Worker
Wheeler (1910), as for synonymized mina zuni – Major Length, 6.5-7 mm.

Head rather small, subrectangular, a little longer than broad and a little broader behind than in front, with slightly excised posterior, and feebly convex lateral borders. Eyes rather large, slightly convex. Mandibles 5-toothed, with convex external borders and upper surfaces. Clypeus distinctly carinate, very slightly produced anteriorly as a broadly rounded lobe, with a faint median sinus. Frontal area distinct, triangular, as long as broad. Frontal carinae strongly lyrate, approximated anteriorly, twice as far apart behind as in front. Frontal groove distinct. Antennae short; scapes slender and terete at the base, somewhat enlarged towards their tips, which do not extend beyond the posterior corners of the head. Thorax narrower than the head, broader in front than behind, scarcely compressed laterally, in profile feebly arcuate above, the pro- and mesonotum and base of the epinotum subequal, flattened, separated by pronounced sutures; the base of the epinotum somewhat longer than the sloping, straight declivity with which it forms an obtuse angle. Petiole rather high, in profile convex in front, flattened behind, with rather blunt border; seen from behind, narrow below, expanded above, with broadly rounded upper border, feebly notched in the middle. Gaster of the usual shape. Legs rather short, with stout femora; tibae without rows of bristles on their flexor surfaces.

Mandibles lustrous or somewhat shining, very finely striated, with scattered, coarse punctures towards their inner borders. Head, thorax and antennae opaque or subopaque, finely and densely punctate. Cheeks and clypeus also with scattered, somewhat elongated, piligerous foveolae. Petiole, gaster and legs more shining, rather coarsely and transversely shagreened, with scattered piligerous punctures.

Hairs on the body rather abundant, delicate, short, erect and sordid white; absent on the sides and posterior corners of the head, short and obtuse on the clypeus and cheeks; absent on the scapes, except at their tips. Legs with very short, sparse, oblique hairs; femora with a row of long, erect hairs on their flexor surfaces. Pubescence extremely short and sparse, visible only on the antennal scapes, posterior portion of the head and basal gastric segment. Color black; mandibles, clypeus, cheeks, antennre, tibiae, tarsi and tips of femora ferruginous or dark red.

Minor Length, 4-5 mm.

Head resembles that of the worker major, but is smaller, with straighter sides, more converging anteriorly. Eyes more convex. Antennal scapes reaching about one-third their length beyond the posterior corners of the head. Like the worker major in sculpture, pilosity and color, except that the red coloration of the head is confined to its anterior border. There are no foveolae on the cheeks and clypeus. The hairs on the body are also shorter and less abundant.