Pogonomyrmex salinus

Generally constructs conical pebble mounds with basal entrances and peripherally cleared areas. Larger nest cones are indistinguishable from those of Pogonomyrmex occidentalis, and they occur in similar ecologic areas and at similar elevations. Nests can also be found that have a less pronounced gravel mound or a flat gravel disk. Workers of the this species seem to be equally antagonistic to intruders as P. occidentalis and sting with the same vigor.

Identification
Key to North American Pogonomyrmex

Distribution
United States – Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, extreme southern Utah, northwestern Wyoming and eastern California.

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



Nomenclature

 *  salinus. Pogonomyrmex salinus Olsen, 1934: 510, pl. 5, fig. 3 (w.) U.S.A. Cole, 1968: 108 (q.m.); Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1972b: 237 (l.). Junior synonym of occidentalis: Smith, M.R. 1953g: 132. Revived from synonymy: Cole, 1968: 106. Senior synonym of owyheei: Shattuck, 1987: 173.
 * owyheei. Pogonomyrmex occidentalis subsp. owyheei Cole, 1938a: 240 (w.q.) U.S.A. Cole, 1968: 102 (m.). Raised to species: Creighton, 1950a: 130. Junior synonym of salinus: Shattuck, 1987: 173.

Worker
Cole (1968) - HL 1.41-1.52 mm, HW 1.41-1.63 mm, CI 100.0-107.2, SL 1.18-1.37 mm, SI 83.5-84.0, EL 0.34-0.42 mm, EW 0.19-0.27 mm, OI 24.1-27.6, WL 1.60-1.90 mm, PNL 0.38-0.46 mm, PNW 0.34-0.46 mm, PPL 0.38-0.49 mm, PPW 0.49-0.57 mm.

Mandible as illustrated in Pl. III, Fig. 5; basal most tooth not offset from the straight basal mandibular margin. Base of antennal scape as shown in PI. IV, Fig. 3; superior lobe broadly and evenly convex, not bearing a peripheral carina. Cephalic interrugal punctures strong and dense, as in occidentalis and owyheei.

Contours of thorax, petiole, and post petiole, in lateral view, as in Pl. VI, Fig. 3; the thoracic dorsum broadly but distinctly convex between base of epinotal spine and the pronotum; epinotal spines short to long, directed strongly upward and somewhat backward; venter of petiolar peduncle generally without a process; apex of petiolar node strongly acute, nipple prominent; postpetiolar ventral process broad, strongly developed. Contours of petiole and postpetiole, in dorsal view, as shown in Pl. VIII, Fig. 3. Pronotal humeri densely and strongly punctate, the punctures often largely obscuring or replacing the rugae. Dorsum of petiolar and postpetiolar nodes generally with a prominent rugae which are usually transverse, wavy, subparallel, and closely spaced; the interspaces densely punctate. Base of dorsum of first gastric segment frequently densely and coarsely punctate and opaque, sometimes only very finely punctate or densely shagreened and subopaque or shining. Body color generally a very deep ferrugineous red.

Queen
Cole (1968) - HL 1.63-1.75 mm, HW 1.79-1.86 mm, CI 106.3-109.8, SL 1.33-1.41 mm, SI 74.3-75.8, EL 0.42-0.47 mm, EW 0.23-0.27 mm, OI 25.8-26.8, WL 2.32-2.67 mm, PNL 0.47-0.49 mm, PNW 0.49-0.53 mm, PPL 0.53-0.57 mm, PPW 0.80-0.87 mm.

Conformation of mandible and base of antennal scape as in the worker. Cephalic interrugal spaces sparsely, unevenly, and finely punctate; subopaque. Epinotum with a pair of prominent angles or short to medium spines. Sculpture of petiole, postpetiole, and gaster similar to that of worker; body color a little paler.

Male
Cole (1968) - HL 1.14-1.44 mm, HW 1.18-1.56 mm, CI 103.5-108.3, SL 0.19-0.76 mm, SI 41.5-48.7, EL 0.46-0.57 mm, EW 0.27-0.34 mm, OI 32.6-38.9, WL 2.05-2.43 mm. PNL 0.42-0.46 mm, PNW 0.42-0.49 mill, PPL 0.46-0.57 mm, PPW 0.72-0.80 mm.

Similar to the male of owyheei. Mandible (Pl. VIII, Fig. I) with 4 or 5 teeth, the basalmost tooth not offset from the straight basal mandibular margin. Cephalic interrugal punctures sparse, the interspaces shining. Epinotal armature tuberculate to angulate. Ventral process of postpetiole weakly developed. Paramere as shown in Pl. X, Fig. 3 and Pl. XI, Fig. 3; apex convex. Body color generally a rather uniform, deep brownish black.

Type Material
Type locality: Near Soda Springs, Bridgeport, California.