Temnothorax neomexicanus

Introductory text here.



Identification
Mackay (2000) "Workers of this species have a 12-segmented antenna. the medial clypeal carina is well developed; the lateral carinae may be somewhat weakly developed. The anterior edge of the medial clypeal lobe is usually somewhat delineated by 1 or more transverse carinae. The head is covered with fine striolae, except for a central strip, which is partially smooth and shining. The node of the petiole is rounded or weakly truncate. The postpetiole is broad as seen from above (more than 1.5times the width of the postpetiole), but much less than 1/2 the width of the gaster. The propodeal spines are short and dentiform. The side of the mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole are more or less uniformly covered with a granulate or punctulate sculpture, which is so delicate that much of these areas, especially the mesosoma, are shining under various lighting conditions. The top of the mesosoma is covered with fine rugulae, which nearly form foveolate punctures. The subpeduncular process is poorly developed. consisting of a tiny bump.

The lateral carinae of the clypeus of both L. neomexicanus and L. nevadensis are very similar, in that they curve medially at the anterior part of the medial lobe of the clypeus, and connect. They can be easily separated as the head of L. neomexicanus is at least partly smooth and shining, whereas the dorsum of the head of L. nevadensis is nearly completely sculptured. It can be separated from L. carinatus in being much darker in color (L. carinatus is pale brown or brown-orange). The propodeal spines are well developed, but short (l/3 to 1/2 length of distance between bases), whereas the propodeal armature of L. carinatus consists of poorly developed angles."

Range
USA: Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, MEXICO: Chihuahua.

Biology
Mackay (2000) Nests in open, dry grassy areas, in ponderosa pine forests (Cole, 1954; Mackay et al., 1987), or even in desert areas (Smith, 1952, Mackay, pers. obs.), under rocks or in soil (Wheeler, 1906; Cole, 1954; Van Pelt, 1983; Wheeler andWheeler, 1986; Mackay, pers. obs.), Nests are monogynous (Frumhoffand Ward, 1992) and are marked by a hole in the ground and occasionally with a light, asymmetrical scattering of fine soil (Cole 1954). Colonies are "rather small" (Cole. 1954).

Original Combination
Leptothorax neomexicanus Wheeler, W.M. 1903c: 248, pl. 12, fig. 18 (w.) U.S.A. Combination in Temnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 271. Subspecies of tricarinatus: Creighton, 1950a: 273; Smith, M.R. 1952b: 100. Revived status as species: MacKay, 2000: 374.

Type Material
As stated in Mackay (2000) - "AMNH. MCZC [seen]."

Type Locality
USA: New Mexico, Manzanares

Etymology
Geographic. Referring to the New Mexico origin of the type collection.