Neivamyrmex ndeh

Snelling and Snelling (2007) reported about the synonymized N. goyahkla: The type series was discovered while overturning rocks in the late afternoon. A small number of workers were present under the rock, and a more detailed search of the area located a fairly strong column of ants trailing across the soil. Although they made use of cover as much as possible a good percentage of the column was exposed on the surface. The column was followed for approximately thirty feet before it was finally lost. It is unknown if this was a raiding or emigration column but since no brood was observed our assumption is that this was the beginning of a raid.

Identification
Key to the Neivamyrmex species of the United States

Snelling and Snelling (2007) - Worker (Neivamyrmex goyahkla): Eye spot present; head distinctly longer than broad, sides weakly convex in frontal view and upper margin narrowly rounded onto vertex margin; front of head smooth and shiny between scattered minute punctures; antennal scape 3.5 x longer than broad; mesosomal dorsum smooth and shiny, with widely scattered small punctures; petiole longer than broad in dorsal view, sides approximately parallel; node evenly rounded in profile and dorsum smooth and shiny; subpetiolar tooth small but distinct; postpetiole broader than long, disc smooth and shiny. Male: head and mesosoma blackish brown, gaster reddish brown; head 1.5× broader than long measured across eyes; smooth and shiny between scattered small punctures; mesosoma blackish brown, entire surface smooth and shining with numerous scattered small punctures, pilosity suberect and dense. Superficially similar to Neivamyrmex microps, but is significantly smaller and with distinctive genitalic features: the crotch of the apical fork of the volsella has only two barely perceptible teeth that are well removed from each other.

Distribution
United States: Arizona.

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



Biology
The type material, males, were collected from a Malaise trap and a black light.

Nomenclature

 * goyahkla. Neivamyrmex goyahkla Snelling, G.C. & Snelling, R.R., 2007: 470, figs. 4, 34, 50, 64, 77, 90 (w.) U.S.A. Junior synonym of ndeh: Snelling, G.C. & Cover, 2009: 282.
 *  ndeh. Neivamyrmex ndeh Snelling, G.C. & Snelling, R.R., 2007: 483, figs. 118, 132, 143 (m.) U.S.A. Senior synonym of goyahkla: Snelling, G.C. & Cover, 2009: 282.

Worker
(Neivamyrmex goyahkla) measurements (mm) (n = 12). HL 0.45-0.72 (0.64); HW 0.34-0.61 (0.54); SL ).25-0.36 (0.33); SW 0.08-0.13 (0.095); PW 0.12-0.20 (0.196); PL 0.14-0.25 (0.24); Ppl 0.10-0.20) (0.19); Ppw 0.15-0.28 (0.25); HFL (0.48); HFW (0.14). Indices. CI 72-85 (85); FI 26-33 (31); SI 45-57 (51.5).

Head: distinctly longer than broad; sides weakly convex in frontal view; upper margin narrowly rounded onto vertex margin; preoccipital carina sharply angulate laterad. Small yellow eye spot present. Front of head smooth and shiny and with scattered minute punctures. Subantennal lamina well-developed. Mandible triangular, junction of upper and masticatory margins rounded, small peg-like tooth present on basal margin; outer surface with fine longitudinal rugulae. Antennal scape 3.5 x longer than broad, evenly tapering toward base.

Mesosoma: dorsum smooth and shiny, with widely scattered small punctures. Promesonotal suture indistinct to absent; metanotal suture distinct across dorsum. Dorsal face of propodeum about as long as declivitous face, shiny between scattered fine punctures; declivitous face straight to slightly concave in profile.

Petiole longer than broad in dorsal view, sides approximately parallel; node evenly rounded in profile; subpetiolar tooth small but distinct; dorsum smooth and shiny. Postpetiole broader than long, disc smooth and shiny. Gaster smooth and shiny between scattered fine punctures.

Pilosity about as usual for the genus, consisting of sparse hairs of highly variable length, from short to long.

Male
measurements (mm) (n = 2): HW 0.86-0.91 (0.91); HL 0.55-0.58 (0.58); SL 0.39-0.41 (0.41); SW 0.15-0.16 (0.15); EL 0.305-0.306 (0.305); EW 0.23-0.26 (0.23); OD 0.09-0.10 (0.09); OOD 0.15-0.175 (0.175); OMD 0.07-0.12 (0.12); OVD 0.20; PW 0.70 (0.70); ML 0.40 (0.40); PL 0.62-0.70 (0.70). Indices: CI 156-158 (158); SI 49-57 (57). Head almost 1.6× as broad as long. Dorsal margin, in frontal view, concave and rounded at sides; preoccipital carina weak and not forming distinct collar. Free clypeal margin (ventral margin) slightly concave; frontal carina sharp between antennal fossae, but becoming rounded dorsad and curving laterad to form moderate swelling above antennal fossae. Mandible sickle-shaped and acute at apex, about 0.40 mm long. EL 1.3× EW. OOD about 1.75× OD. Scape extending to level of upper eye margin, about 3× longer than broad; subantennal lamella prominent. Mesosoma smooth and shiny, with numerous scattered small punctures. Petiole slightly longer than broad; posterolateral corners rounded; dorsal surface shiny, ventral surface less so. First three segments of gaster smooth and shiny, following segments duller, more distinctly, finely punctate. Subgenital plate longer than broad, somewhat spatulate; apicolateral teeth prominent, median tooth small. Dorsal margin of paramere broadly triangular, margins densely clothed with long flexuous hairs. Volsella with apical fork, dorsal process large and sharp, ventral process blunt and much shorter; inner margin each segment with a minute denticle near fork; numerous long erect hairs along ventral margin. Aedeagus in profile with apically rounded posterodorsal lobe and slightly longer, out-turned sharply pointed posteroventral lobe. Color: head and mesosoma blackish brown, first two gastral segments similar, following segments becoming reddish brown on posterior segments; wings clear brownish.

Type Material
Holotype: U. S. A., Arizona, Santa Cruz Co., Yanks Canyon (31.42°N 111.17°W), 12-15 Aug. 1993 (B.V. Brown and D. Feener). Paratype: U. S. A., Arizona, Cochise Co., Portal, 4800 ft., 4 Aug. 1959 (H. E. Evans). Both specimens in.

Neivamyrmex goyahkla - Holotype and numerous paratypes: U.S.A., Arizona, Santa Cruz Co., Ruby Road, 6.7 mi west of I-19, 6 April 1998 (R. A. Johnson & G. C. Snelling). Holotype and most paratypes in ; paratypes also in ARSU,, , , ,.

Etymology
This species is named for the Ndeh or Apache people of the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico; the name pronounced approximately “in déh”, accenting the second syllable.