Acanthostichus arizonensis

Acanthostichus are predominately subterranean, predaceous ants that are infrequently collected. Little is know about the biology of most species in the genus. Acanthostichus arizonensis nests under stones from 1070 m to 1780 m, reaching up to the oak-juniper association. The type series was associated with termites.

Identification
WORKER - The densely punctate petiolar node will distinguish it from all other species in the genus except A. punctiscapus. It can be separated from this latter species in that the scape is mostly smooth and glossy (not heavily punctate as in A. punctiscapus).

Range
Known from SE Arizona.

- autogenerated - distribution map(s) - -

- autogenerated- KLM file, CSV file download link - -

Habitat
- autogenerated - Environments - block of specimen level collection (label) data - -

- autogenerated - Situations - block of specimen level label data - -

Biology
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Original Combination
Acanthostichus arizonensis MacKay 1996:141

The description and other taxonomic information that follows is provided from the same publication as given in the original combination, unless otherwise noted.

Worker
Mandible with tooth-like protuberance on medial masticatory border, which may be essentially worn away; lateral clypeal angles well formed; outer edge of scape convex: eye consisting of four or five poorly defined ommatidia; vertex concave; hind femora elongate, not incrassate; petiole slightly longer than broad, slightly wider posteriorly; subpetiolar process poorly defined. Sparse erect hairs (most less than 0.1 mm, some as long as 0.25 mm) scattered on all body surfaces. Mandibles, scape, head and mesosoma smooth and glossy, with scattered punctures. Dorsum of petiole and most terga of gaster with dense punctures.

Measurements:

CI 84-87; EI ; EL ; HL 0.94 - 0.95; HW 0.79 - 0.83; ML ; MTL ; SI 45 - 46; SL

SW 0.16; WL 1.28 - 1.32; PW 0.44 - 0.46; PL 0.46 - 0.48; FL 0.58 - 0.60; FW 0.25; PI 103 - 106; FI 2.30 - 2.40; SL/SW 2.62 - 2.69;

Queen
undescribed

Male
undescribed

Type Material
Holotype worker (MCZ) and 13 paratype workers (BMNH, CWEM, IMLA, INPA, LACM, MCZ, MNHC, MIZA, MZSP, UAIC, USNM).

Pima Co., 7 mi SE Sahuarita, Sept 3, 1982, T.C. Myles.

Etymology
Indicates that this species occurs in Arizona.