Key to US Trachymyrmex

Key to the workers & queens of US Trachymyrmex species.

Based on: Rabeling, C., S. P. Cover, R. A. Johnson, and U. G. Mueller. 2007. A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera : Formicidae). Zootaxa.1-53.

Each species name in the key is linked to a species page. Automontage images on the species pages can be used to help clarify characters detailed within the key couplets. Species page identification information, taxonomic descriptions and natural history information may also be useful in confirming species determinations.

1
a. In full-face view, preocular and frontal carinae subparallel, converging gradually towards the posterior corners of the head, forming a long, shallow antennal scrobe (click on the image below for a larger view of these characters) .......... => 2



b. In full-face view, preocular and frontal carinae NOT subparallel (click on the image below for a larger view of these characters), frontal carinae often extending towards the posterior corners of the head, but preocular carinae always curving mesially towards the frontal carinae, rarely actually touching them .......... => 3



2
a. In full-face view, antennal scapes reaching or just slightly surpassing the posterior corners of head. In side view, center of clypeus with several long, conspicuous, coarse, erect hairs, nearly as long as those in the row of long hairs along the anterior clypeal margin that project over the dorsal surface of the mandibles .......... => Trachymyrmex turrifex



b. In full-face view, antennal scape surpassing posterior corner of head by the maximum diameter of the scape or more. In side view, clypeus usually with only a few short, stiff erect hairs present, when present these are much shorter than the row of long hairs along the anterior clypeal margin .......... => Trachymyrmex jamaicensis



3
a. Frontal carinae relatively short, not extending towards the posterior corner of the head. Preocular carinae curving strongly to meet the frontal carinae, forming short, distinctive “scrobes”, that end slightly behind the level of the eye (Figure [10B]). Antennal scape long (SI 117–152), narrowing abruptly as it approaches the antennal insertion, a small but conspicuous lobe is present just distal to the narrowing (Figure [10C]) (Figures 10 & 11) .....=> Trachymyrmex nogalensis



b. Frontal carinae long, extending well past the eye towards the posterior corners of the head. In side view, preocular carinae not joining the frontal carinae (rarely touching the carinae in T. carinatus). Antennal scapes shorter (SI 113). Scape gradually narrowing as it approaches the antennal insertion, lobe as described above absent .......... => 4

4
a. In full-face view, frontal lobes prominent, shaped uniquely as in image just below, the posterior margin of the lobe forming a broad notch with the posterior portion of the frontal carinae. Antennal scapes long (worker SI 103–113; queen SI 96–105). First gastric tergite strongly tuberculate.......... => Trachymyrmex arizonensis



b. In full-face view, frontal lobes simple, rounded or triangular. Antennal scapes shorter (worker SI 105; queen SI 96). Gastric tubercles variously developed, sometimes small or nearly absent .......... => 5



5
a. Combining the following: in larger workers head clearly broader than long, slightly broader than long to square in smaller workers (CI 100–111); posterior border notably emarginate, in full-face view head appearing cordate in larger workers. Propodeal spines longer than the distance separating their bases. Color black to blackish red .......... => Trachymyrmex smithi



b. Head shape variable, usually more or less square, sometimes broader than long. Posterior border weakly to moderately emarginate, but head never appearing cordate in full-face view—even in larger workers (Figure [3B]). Propodeal spines or teeth variable in length, often as long as or shorter than the distance separating their bases. Color never black or blackish .......... => 6

6
a. Combining the following: median anterior pronotal tubercles well-developed, in anterior view nearly always upright and toothlike, the apices often with 2–3 small “peaks.” Preocular carina never closely approaching the frontal carina in full-face view. First gastric tergite tuberculate .......... => Trachymyrmex septentrionalis



b. Median anterior tubercles poorly developed or absent altogether, not upright or toothlike in anterior view, when present taking the form of small denticles or low, broadly pyramidal mounds. Preocular carinae variable, sometimes closely approaching the frontal carinae in full face view. Tuberculi on first gastric tergite sometimes absent or minute .......... => 7

7
a. Preocular carinae traversing nearly the entire antennal scrobe as it curves towards the frontal carina, closely approaching or sometimes even appearing to touch the frontal carinae in full-face view. Frontal lobes usually more or less symmetric (evenly rounded). First gastric tergite conspicuously tuberculate .......... => Trachymyrmex carinatus



b. Preocular carinae shorter, in full-face view never closely approaching or appearing to touch the frontal carinae in full-face view. Frontal lobes variable, sometimes asymmetric with the anterior margin longer than the posterior margin. Tubercules miniscule or absent on first gastric tergite .......... => 8

8
a. In full-face view, frontal lobes rounded (rarely subtriangular), more or less symmetrical, anterior and posterior sides equal in length or anterior side slightly longer than posterior .......... => Trachymyrmex desertorum



b. In full-face view, frontal lobes subtriangular (rarely rounded), strongly asymmetric, the anterior side of the lobe often 2x as long as the posterior side or more .......... => Trachymyrmex pomonae''