Veromessor lobognathus

Wheeler and Wheeler (1986) - We have published 4 articles about this interesting species (Wheeler and Wheeler, 1956, 1959, 1965, 1967); here we give only a sketch of our findings: (1) lobognathus is a characteristic inhabitant of the Pinyon-Juniper Biome, a semiarid environment. (2) In the Dakotas the nests were found only on steep treeless south-facing slopes where much of the surface was bare. The slopes were always near junipers which were on north-facing slopes. Characteristic plants of the habitats were grasses in clumps, low shrubs, yucca, and prickly pear. (3) Nests in the Dakotas were of 2 types: in sandy loam, under large flat stones (average 8 x 46 x 91 cm) which were only slightly buried; where the soil contained numerous small stones there was a small mound of excavated earth around the entrance. (4) The seeds of grasses were harvested. (5) The workers were aggressive and bit tenaciously. (6) We regarded lobognathus as a mimic of Pogonomyrmex occidentalis.

Distribution
Southwestern North Dakota, western South Dakota, southeastern Montana, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, and Nevada. We still regard this species as a rare ant, in spite of Cole's flat assertion to the contrary (Cole, 1966:72; Allred and Cole, 1971:242). It can be very abundant locally, but as far as its range is known it is highly sporadic and severely restricted. We once (Wheeler and Wheeler, 1967) described its range as "a sigmoid curve 1300 miles long, extending from southern Nevada to southwestern North Dakota." This is still approximately correct, except that we must insert an Idaho locality (30 mi. W Idaho Falls); and furthermore our intensive collecting has revealed that the curve splays out in Nevada, where the species is widely scattered. (Wheeler and Wheeler 1986)

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

Biology
Nevada, Wheeler and Wheeler (1986) - Four localities are in the Cool Desert and 8 in the Pinyon-Juniper Biome. Seven nests were under flat stones, which were 1/2 to 3/4 buried; the average dimensions of the stones were 52 x 15 x 5 cm. Seven nests had the entrance surrounded by a crater 5-10 cm in diameter. We have 17 records from 14 localities; 4,700-7,500 ft.

Nomenclature

 *  lobognathus. Messor lobognathus Andrews, 1916: 82, fig. 1 (w.) U.S.A. Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1957c: 142 (l.); Cole, 1963: 680 (q.m.). Combination in Veromessor: Wheeler, W.M. & Creighton, 1934: 371; in Messor: Bolton, 1982: 341. See also: Gregg, 1955b: 45.