Pogonomyrmex barbatus

Distribution
United States and Mexico.

This taxon was described from Mexico. It is also found in the United States.

Nomenclature

 *  barbatus. Myrmica barbata Smith, F. 1858b: 130 (q.) MEXICO. Mayr, 1870b: 971 (w.); Mayr, 1887: 610 (m.); Wheeler, W.M. 1900b: 20 (l.); Taber, Cokendolpher & Francke, 1988: 51 (k.). Combination in Pogonomyrmex: Mayr, 1868b: 170. Senior synonym of molefaciens: Mayr, 1886c: 365; Creighton, 1950a: 119; Cole, 1968: 56; of nigrescens: Cole, 1968: 56. See also: Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1953a: 107; Petralia & Vinson, 1980: 381; Smith, D.R. 1979: 1353.
 * molefaciens. Myrmica (Atta) molefaciens Buckley, 1860b: 445 (w.q.) U.S.A. Emery, 1895c: 308 (m.). Combination in Pogonomyrmex: Mayr, 1886c: 365. Subspecies of barbatus: Forel, 1886b: xlii; Emery, 1895c: 308; Forel, 1901c: 128. Junior synonym of barbatus: Mayr, 1886c: 365; Creighton, 1950a: 119; Cole, 1968: 56.
 * nigrescens. Pogonomyrmex barbatus var. nigrescens Wheeler, W.M. 1902c: 389 (w.) U.S.A. Junior synonym of fuscatus: Creighton, 1950a: 119; of barbatus: Cole, 1968: 56.

Worker
Cole (1968) - HL 1.98-2.43 mm, HW 2.05-2.70 mm, CI 103.6-111.1, SL 1.33-1.71 mm, SI 63.3-68.4, EL 0.42-0.53 mm, EW 0.23-0.34 mm, OI 21.2-21.8, WL 2.24-2.89 mm, PNL 0.46-0.65 mm, PNW 0.49-0.68 mm, PPL 0.42-0.65 mm, PPW 0.34-0.91 mm.

Mandible as shown in Pl. III, Fig. 17; teeth short, robust, blunt; apical and subapical teeth generally longer than others; ultimate basal tooth longer and broader than penultimate, slightly but distinctly offset from the moderately convex basal margin.

Base of antennal scape like that of rugosus (Pl. IV, Fig. 15), moderately strongly curved in proximal one-half its length, somewhat constricted but not flattened along the bend. Basal enlargement broad and strong; apex of superior lobe varies from blunt and subtruncate to subacute; gradient of superior declivity variable, but generally rather steep and forming a strong angle with the flange; lip strong and hook. shaped, its margin thin and directed distad and strongly inward forming a prominent concavity; point present or absent, when present varying from weak to strong; basal flange narrow, straight, extending from lip to apex of superior lobe; lateral surface of basal enlargement strongly, evenly, broadly, and longitudinally impressed, forming a prominent, moderately deep, elongate, saucerlike depression, the lower margin of which is bordered by the longitudinal peripheral carina (when present), the proximal extension of which forms the point.

Contour of thorax, petiole, and postpetiole as portrayed in Pl. V, Fig. 1. Epinotal spines always present, varying from short to long. Petiole and postpetiole in dorsal view as shown in Pl. VII, Fig. 17.

Cephalic rugae moderately to very fine, rather even, moderately to closely spaced; interrugal spaces shining to subopaque, without sculpture, or with fine punctures and/or foveae, often with granulations and sometimes with a few broken rugulae. Thoracic rugae fine, rather even, and closely set to moderately coarse and irregular; often strongest on pronotum, where they may be wavy but do not form strong reticulations with deep interrugal spaces. Interrugal spaces of thorax shining to subopaque, with or without punctures. Rugae on petiolar and postpetiolar nodes moderately fine to coarse, rather even, not forming coarse reticulations.

Body color varying from a concolorous light ferrugineous to very deep red.

Queen
Cole (1968) - HL 2.13-2.17 mm, HW 2.93-3.01 mm, CI 118.6-125.1, SL 1.63-1.67 mm, SI 54.9-55.6, EL 0.57-0.61 mm, EW 0.30-0.38 mm, OI 23.1-25.1, WL 3.80-3.81 mm, PNL 0.68-0.76 mm, PNW 0.68-0.84 mm, PPL 0.61-0.68 mm, PPW 0.95-0.99 mm.

Essentially similar to the worker, but with the usual female characters. Cephalic and scutal rugae rather fine, closely spaced. Scutellum smooth, very shining, longitudinal striae weak or absent. Epinotal spines short, prominent, robust, sharp. Dorsum of petiolar node rugose, the rugae not forming reticulations. Body color light to deep ferrugineous red.

Male
Cole (1968) - HL 1.60-2.09 mm, HW 2.09-2.36 mm, CI 112.9-130.6, SL 0.84-0.87 mm, SI 35.5-41.6, EL 0.61-0.61 mm, EW 0.42-0.46 mm, OI 29.2-29.2, WL 3.46-3.57 mm, PNL 0.49-0.53 mm, PNW 0.84-0.99 mm, PPL 0.57-0.65 mm, PPW 1.10-1.18 mm.

Mandible as shown in Pl. VIII, Fig. 11. Outer surface of base of antennal scape strongly flattened or broadly concave. Paramere as illustrated in Pl. X, Fig. 10 and Pl. XI, Fig. 11; inner dorsal bonier with a deep, rather broad emargination which strongly separates the terminal lobe from the base. Body gcnerally a concolorous clear yellow.

Type Material
Type locality: Mexico.