Pogonomyrmex hoelldobleri

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

Nomenclature

 *  hoelldobleri. Pogonomyrmex hoelldobleri Johnson, Overson & Moreau, 2013: 213, figs. 2, 6-8 (w.q.m.) U.S.A.

Worker
(mm)—holotype (n = 75 [15 paratypes, 43 non-types, 16 P. magnacanthus Paratypes]). HL 1.57 (1.24–1.76); HW 1.55 (1.17–1.84); MOD 0.36 (0.30–0.42); OMD 0.42 (0.35–0.72); SL 1.20 (0.94–1.34); PNW 0.91 (0.77–1.11); HF 1.67 (1.19–1.89); ML 1.84 (1.35–2.03); PW 0.34 (0.27–0.46): PPW 0.51 (0.38–0.59). Indices: SI 77.42 (66.25–87.18); CI 98.73 (93.98–115.79); OI 23.23 (21.12–29.01); HFI 107.74 (84.97–117.93).

Head subquadrate to quadrate (CI = 93.98–115.79), broadest just posterior to eye; posterior margin flat in full-face view. Longitudinal cephalic rugae prominent, in full-face view median rugae usually diverging toward posterior corners near posterior margin of head. In side view, rugae converging slightly near vertex, occasionally becoming faint between posterior margin of eye and vertex. Vertex faintly to strongly rugose, occasionally mostly smooth to weakly granulate, sub-shining to shining. Cephalic interrugal spaces moderately punctate, sub-shining to smooth and shining. Anterior margin of clypeus slightly concave. Mandible with seven teeth; mandibular dorsum coarsely striate. In profile, eyes not unusually large, MOD ranging from 0.22–0.29x HL, OI = 21.12–29.01, MR usually > 1.05; eye situated near middle of head. Antennal scapes moderately long (SI = 66.25–87.18), failing to reach vertex by less than length of basal funicular segment. Basal flange of antennal scape flattened and well developed, margin weakly carinate. Psammophore well developed.

Mesosomal profile convex. All mesosomal surfaces with prominent parallel/subparallel rugae. Dorsum of promesonotum with transverse rugae that curve obliquely to posterior on pronotal sides, rugae on pronotal sides often slightly less distinct than on other portions of mesosoma; rugae usually oblique to longitudinal on anterior portion of mesonotum. Mesopleura with subparallel rugae angling posterodorsally. Propodeum lacking spines or teeth; in side view, juncture of propodeum and propodeal declivity evenly convex to weakly angulate; rugae on propodeal dorsum transverse, declivitous face smooth and shining. Propodeal spiracles narrowly ovate. Interrugal spaces on mesosoma moderately granulate-punctate, sub-shining to smooth and shining; interrugal spaces on pronotal sides usually more densely granulate than other portions of mesosoma. Legs moderately to strongly shining.

Petiolar peduncle long, ventral margin straight. In side view, posterior face of petiole slightly convex; petiolar node asymmetrical with anterior surface slightly shorter than posterior surface. Apex of node weakly to strongly angulate, posterior surface sometimes curved upward near anterior margin. In dorsal view, petiolar node longer than broad, sides subparallel or diverging slightly toward the smoothly rounded to weakly angulate anterior margin. Sides and dorsum of petiolar node strongly granulate-punctate, dull to sub-shining to smooth and shining, occasionally with several longitudinal to oblique rugae that are restricted to posterior one-third of petiole. Dorsum of postpetiole convex in profile; in dorsal view, widest at or near posterior margin and tapering to anterior margin, maximal width about equal to length, weakly to moderately granulate, dull to sub-shining. Gaster smooth and strongly shining.

Erect to suberect white pilosity moderately abundant on head, short to medium in length, often with one to few longer hairs, none exceeding MOD. Moderately abundant semidecumbent to decumbent pilosity on scape, abundant semidecumbent to decumbent hairs on funicular segments. Legs with moderately abundant suberect to semidecumbent white setae. Mesosoma, petiole, and postpetiole with a lower density of mostly longer, flexuous hairs mostly concentrated on dorsal surface, longest distinctly shorter than MOD; gastric tergites with moderately abundant, medium length suberect hairs. Entire body concolorous light to dark ferruginous orange, posterior portion of gaster sometimes slightly darker.

Queen
(mm)—(n = 8). HL 1.36–1.66; HW 1.44–1.79; MOD 0.40–0.45; OMD 0.40–0.50; SL 0.97–1.23; PNW 1.24–1.54; HFL 1.38–1.67; ML 2.18–2.62; PW 0.45–0.57; PPW 0.61–0.73. Indices: SI 65.52–72.12; CI 100.00–114.10; OI 22.47–28.47; HFI 83.64–109.03.

As in worker diagnosis, but with caste-specific structures related to wing-bearing, presence of small ocelli on head. Small, only slightly larger than conspecific workers. In full-face view, head quadrate to broader than long, posterior margin flat. Dorsum and sides of head conspicuously rugose, in side view rugae forming circumocular whorls posterior to eyes or rugae converging near vertex, interrugal spaces smooth and strongly shining. Mandible with seven teeth, dorsal surface coarsely rugose, strongly shining. Eyes not large (OI = 22.47–28.47), MR usually > 1.05, MOD ranging from 0.25–0.30x HL. Base of scape not flattened; superior and inferior lobes poorly developed, no wider than width of base of scape.

Mesosoma as described above, propodeum unarmed; in side view, juncture of propodeum and propodeal declivity rounded to subangulate, sides and dorsal surface rugose or rugae absent near mid-line, shining, posterior surface smooth and strongly shining. Petiolar peduncle long, ventral margin straight. In side view, petiolar node asymmetrical with anterior surface shorter than posterior surface. Apex of node moderately to strongly angulate, anterior edge of posterior face sometimes curved upward forming a crest. Postpetiole broader than long. Posterior face of petiole and dorsum of postpetiole weakly to moderately granulate or with weak transverse rugae, sub-shining to shining. Gastric tergites smooth and shining. Most body surfaces with moderately abundant coarse suberect to erect setae. Entire body concolorous light to dark ferruginous orange, except for incomplete to complete darker transverse bands on one or more gastric tergites.

Male
(mm)—(n = 2). HL 1.15–1.25; HW 1.27–1.30; MOD 0.49–0.50; OMD 0.19–0.20; SL 0.54–0.56; HFL 1.43–1.56; ML 2.08–2.26; PW 0.54–0.58; PPW 0.65–0.73. Indices: SI 42.52–43.08; CI 104.00–110.43; OI 37.69–39.37; HFI 112.60–120.00.

Mandible with four teeth on suboblique cutting margin; tip of sub-apical tooth sometimes weakly bifid; basal tooth not offset; mandibular dorsum as described above. Anterior margin of clypeus broadly and shallowly concave, mostly smooth and shining except for scattered punctures, lateral lobes indistinct. Antennal scapes reaching to or near posterior margin of eye, mostly smooth and shining. Cephalic rugae fine and close, slightly wavy to irregular, interrugae weakly punctate, moderately shining.

In profile, anterior face of mesonotum forming a mostly straight line with pronotum, slightly less than one-half as long as dorsal surface. In side view, juncture between propodeum and propodeal declivity subangulate, without spines or denticles. Sides of pronotal collar superficially rugoreticulate to punctate-granulate; katepisternum partially to largely covered by very fine wavy to irregular longitudinal striae, sub-shining to shining. Mesonotum shiny with piligerous punctures, notauli weakly impressed. Propodeum mostly smooth and shining to microrugoreticulate, granulate, sub-shining. Ventral margin of petiolar peduncle straight. In side view, petiolar node broadly rounded, anterior surface longer than posterior surface, forming a mostly straight continuous to slightly curved profile with dorsal surface of petiolar peduncle. Dorsal surface of petiole smooth and shining with scattered punctures to microrugoreticulate, sub-shining. Postpetiole broader than long, dorsal surface mostly smooth, sub-shining to shining. Head, mesosoma, petiole, and postpetiole with moderately abundant flexuous white hairs, often similar in length to MOD. Gastric tergites smooth and shining, hairs shorter and less dense than on rest of body. Head and mesosoma brownish-orange, gaster a lighter ferruginous orange.