Stenamma smithi

A mature nest of Stenamma smithi has never been found. The types and most other samples are from traps, litter samples or consist of stray workers. A synonyomized speices (Stenamma knowltoni Gregg (1972)) was described from a queen and four workers collected from "mossy sage duff." Habitats where this ant has been found include shrub steppe, sierran meadow, and xeric areas containing sage.

Identification
The median lobe projects beyond the apical margin of the clypeus, and there is a distinct transverse carinula at the summit of the declivity so that in frontal view the median lobe appears to be truncate. In profile the declivitous face of the median lobe is concave.

Eye size is variable and appears to be correlated with overall size. The number of ommatidia in the greatest diameter of the eye varies from 8-12 and the distance from the lower eye margin to the mandibular insertion is from 1.3-1.5 times the eye length. This distance is proportionately greater in small specimens.

The metanotal impression seems always to be long, as noted by Cole, shallowest in small specimens, most pronounced in the largest. The transverse median welt within the impression, noted and figured by Cole, seems to be of rare occurrence. It is absent from many specimens (including the two paratypes studied) and barely discernible in most. Seldom is it distinct and I doubt that it can be of any importance as a diagnostic character.

Among the western species of Stenamma, the workers of Stenamma smithi may be separated from most by the combination of large eyes, short oculo-mandibular distance, form of the median clypeallobe, long basal face of the propodeum and polished first tergite and sternite. The relatively large eyes and structure of the median clypeal lobe and of the propodeum are shared with two other species: Stenamma punctatoventre and Stenamma chiricahua. The first of these, however, possesses distinctly sculptured first tergite and first sternite. Separation from Stenamma chiricahua is not such a simple matter and I have thus far not been successful in working out a reliable method.

As a rule, the eyes of Stenamma smithi are larger, with from 8-12 facets in greatest diameter and the oculo-mandibular distance is from 0.8-l.l times the eye length. There are, however, some unusually small specimens with five or six facets in the greatest eye diameter and the oculo mandibular distance is from 1.2-1.5 times the eye length. Of 40 specimens examined at random, 30% fall into this range, and thus lap into the range given for Stenamma chiricahua. These small specimens, while very similar to Stenamma chiricahua, usually lack definite longitudinal rugulae on the upper half of the side of the propodeum. In Stenamma smithi this area is more often moderately shiny and closely, finely punctulate.

The transverse metanotal groove of Stenamma smithi is most often deeply impressed, the sides straight; the groove, in profile view, is longer than deep, the bottom flat. In Stenamma chiricahua the groove is much narrower, notch-like in profile with oblique sides.

Snelling 1973

Distribution
This taxon was described from U.S.A.

Range
USA. Known from California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Utah.

Type Material
The holotype and one paratype will be deposited in the U. S. National Museum; other paratypes will be deposited in the Museum of Comparative Zoology and in the author's collection.

Type Locality Information
Atomic Energy Commission Nevada Test Site near Mercury, Nevada.

Etymology
Patronym. I am pleased to name this interesting new species for Dr. M. R. Smith, my good friend and colleague.

Additional References

 * Cole, A. C., Jr. 1966. Ants of the Nevada Test Site. Brigham Young University Science Bulletin Biological Series. 7(3):1-27.
 * Gregg, R. E. 1972. A new species of Stenamma (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Utah. Great Basin Naturalist. 32:35-39.
 * Snelling, R. R. 1973. Studies on California ants. 7. The genus Stenamma (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Contributions in Science (Los Angeles). 245:1-38.