taxonID	type	description	language	source
B64F730497781BD2515FD82D0126A260.taxon	discussion	Trachymyrmex is the most species-rich and abundant attine genus in the United States, reaching its highest diversity in the arid Southwest, particularly in Arizona. Trachymyrmex is a primarily tropical genus; most species are found in Central and South America. Only a handful of species have radiated north into the temperate zone and these are biologically very interesting. Some North American species are notably cold-tolerant. For example, T septentrionalis reaches the northern limit of its geographic range on Long Island, NY, and at this latitude, has a short active season of only four to five months per year (Beshers & Traniello 1994). During winter, the ants and the fungus garden enter extended dormancy, a phenomenon unique among the Attini (Weber 1956).	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
5D15CF50B666910CF41CF11ECBDA93F9.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Worker: HL 0.88 - 1.20, HW 0.88 - 1.28, CI 96 - 107, SL 0.92 - 1.4, SI 103 - 113, ML 1.28 - 1.8. Large species (HL 0.88 - 1.20, HW 0.88 - 1.28) with relatively long legs and antennae (SI 103 - 113). Head as long as broad or slightly longer than broad (CI 96 - 107), gradually tapering anteriorly, widest at midpoint between eye and posterior margin. Frontal lobes well developed and strongly asymmetric, with a long, curving anterior margin that meets the much shorter posterior margin to form an acute angle. A broad notch is formed by the frontal lobe and the posterior continuation of the frontal carinae (Figure 1 B). Preocular carinae sharply curving mesially and nearly always distinctly separated from the frontal carinae. Anterolateral promesonotal teeth often sharp, spinelike, directed laterally, not upwards. Propodeal teeth thin, spinelike, strongly divergent in dorsal view, shorter than the distance between their bases. Head, mesosoma and petiole moderately tuberculate, postpetiole and first gastric tergite strongly tuberulate. Color brownish yellow to medium reddish brown. Queen: HL 1.19 - 1.38, HW 1.19 - 1.38, CI 100, SL 1.25 - 1.31, SI 96 - 105, ML 1.88 - 2.13. As in worker diagnosis, but mesosoma with caste-specific morphology related to wing-bearing and head with minute ocelli. Dorsolateral pronotal teeth large, robust, and tuberculate; ventrolateral pronotal teeth large, blunt, and lacking tuberculi. Male: HL 0.98, HW 0.88, CI 93, SL 1.06, SI 121, ML 2.0 - 2.06. Legs and antennal scapes relatively long. Dorsolateral and ventrolateral pronotal teeth well-developed. Mesoscutum longer than broad, sculpture variable but longitudinal rugulae always present. First gastric tergite with " bumpy " surface. 1 - 3 toothlike tubercles present on each posterior corner of head and frontal lobes bluntly triangular, more or less symmetrical.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
5D15CF50B666910CF41CF11ECBDA93F9.taxon	discussion	Discussion Trachymyrmex arizonensis is often sympatric in central and southern Arizona with the slightly smaller T. carinatus and rarely sympatric with the larger T. nogalensis. It is easily distinguished from all other North American Trachymyrmex by the unusual shape of the frontal lobes in both workers and queens (Figure 1 B).	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
5D15CF50B666910CF41CF11ECBDA93F9.taxon	etymology	Etymology Since Wheeler (1907, 1911) collected both the type series and subsequently the workers of T. arizonensis in southeast Arizona, the collection locality clearly motivated the species name.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
5D15CF50B666910CF41CF11ECBDA93F9.taxon	biology_ecology	Biology	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
5D15CF50B666910CF41CF11ECBDA93F9.taxon	distribution	Trachymyrmex arizonensis is typically found at mid elevations (1000 - 2000 m) in mountainous areas within the Chihuahuan and Sonoran Deserts in central and southern Arizona, western New Mexico, and the Mexican states of Chihuahua and Sonora (Figure 22 A). The species has also been reported from western Texas. Weber identified a single specimen of T. arizonensis from the Chisos Mountains (Van Pelt 1983). It is also reported from west Texas by O ' Keefe et al. (2000), but as we have not been able to verify these records, the presence of T. arizonensis in western Texas remains uncertain.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
5D15CF50B666910CF41CF11ECBDA93F9.taxon	biology_ecology	Trachymyrmex arizonensis occurs in a variety of habitats including arid Ocotillo- and Acacia-dominated scrub in mountain foothills, oak-juniperpine woodlands, and relatively mesic mid elevation creek valley forests. Nests are found under rocks or logs or in open soil, frequently in areas that are partly or lightly shaded. A sloppy crater of excavated soil and a diagnostic yellowish-gray external refuse midden is often present near the nest entrance. Trachymyrmex arizonensis and T. smithi are the only US species of Trachymyrmex that routinely have conspicuous external refuse middens near their nest entrances. Other species occasionally accumulate a small refuse pile close to the nest, but these are usually ephemeral. Colony-founding queens of T. arizonensis are frequently found under rocks. Older colonies often have 3 - 5 fungus garden chambers and may contain well over 1000 workers (R. A. Johnson pers. obs.; see also Wheeler 1911). Trachymyrmex arizonensis is associated with Pyramica arizonica (Ward), a tiny dacetine ant that has been found only within or adjacent to T. arizonensis nests (Ward 1988; see also Yeo et al. 2006). Most species in the genus Pyramica are specialist predators on Collembola and strongly prefer relatively mesic habitats. We suspect that P. arizonica benefits from the controlled, moist microenvironment the Trachymyrmex provide for their fungal symbiont and feeds on the numerous collembolans that live in the chambers and refuse piles of the Trachymyrmex colony (Johnson & Cover, unpublished data). In the mountains of southern Arizona, two army ant species, Neivamyrmex nigrescens and N. rugulosus, prey on T arizonensis (Miranda et al. 1980, LaPolla et al. 2002). In Tamaulipas, Mexico, N. texanus was observed raiding a colony of T saussurei (Rabeling & Sanchez-Pena, unpublished data). Based on these few observations, army ants seem to be important predators of at least some Trachymyrmex species, and their raids may result in a significant brood loss and partial destruction of the fungus garden (LaPolla et al. 2002).	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
5D15CF50B666910CF41CF11ECBDA93F9.taxon	materials_examined	Additional material examined: U. S. A.: Arizona, Cochise County: 1.6 km NW Portal (RA Johnson), 5.5 km W Portal (C Rabeling), 8.1 mi SE Sunnyside (RR Snelling), Chiricahua Mtns. Southwestern Research Station (G Alpert, WS Creighton, RA Johnson, J LaPolla, RA Mendez, UG Mueller, C Rabeling & SP Cover), Dragoon (WM Wheeler), Huachuca Mtns. Sunnyside Canyon (SP Cover), Huachuca Mtns. Miller Canyon (WM Wheeler), Huachuca Mtns. Hunters Canyon (WM Wheeler); Coconino County: Hualpais Mtns. (DJ & JN Knull); Gila County: 12.1 mi NE Globe (RA Johnson), Hwy 288 at 14.8 mi N Salt River (RA Johnson, SP Cover), Sierra Ancha Pocket Creek (RA Johnson, C Strehl); Graham County: Graham Mtns, Post Canyon (WM Wheeler); Pima County: Baboquivari Mtns. (WS Creighton), Santa Catalina Mtns. Old Mt. Lemmon Rd. (RA Johnson), Tucson Sabino Canyon (DJ & JN Knull); Pinal County: USFS Rd. 287 at Pinto Creek (RA Johnson); Santa Cruz County: 1.5 mi W Ruby on USFS Rd. 39 (RA Johnson), 1 mi E Atascosa Lookout (RA Johnson), 3.8 mi SE Jct FSR 139 on FSR 58 (SP Cover), Pajarito Mtns. 0.1 mi W Jct. FSR 4181 on FSR 39 (SP Cover), Pajarito Mtns. Sycamore Canyon (RA Johnson), Pajarito Mtns. Yanks Canyon (RA Johnson), Tumacacori Mtns. (DJ & KN Knull), 1.1 mi W San Raphael Valley (RA Johnson), Pena Blanca Canyon (RA Johnson), Willow spring canyon (RA Johnson); New Mexico, Grant County: 60 km E Silver City (W Mackay); Texas, Brewster County: Big Bend National Park (A van Pelt); MEXICO: Chihuahua: Hwy. 16 at 44 mi E Yecora (RA Johnson); Sonora: Sierra Mazatan (RA Johnson), without locality information (V Roth).	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
80E9FDCE821684343B305C86040BE144.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Worker: HL 0.8 - 1.0, HW 0.8 - 1.04, CI 96 - 108, SL 0.84 - 1.04, SI 100 - 105, ML 1.2 - 1.44. A relatively small species (HL 0.8 - 1, HW 0.8 - 1.04) with normally proportioned legs and antennal scapes (SI 100 - 105). Head more or less square (CI 96 - 108), sides subparallel posterior to the eyes, slightly tapering anteriorly between the eyes and mandibular insertions. Posterior margin weakly to moderately concave. Preocular carinae long, strongly curving mesially, and traversing nearly the entire distance between the eye and the frontal carinae, sometimes nearly touching the frontal carinae or appearing to do so. In full-face view, frontal lobes more or less symmetrical. Anterolateral promesonotal teeth moderate in size, pointed in dorsal view, projecting horizontally, not vertically. Anterior median pronotal tubercles small or reduced to denticles, or if toothlike short and broadly pyramidal. Propodeal teeth usually acute, about as long as the distance between their bases. Dorsal surface of body moderately tuberculate, tuberculi generally moderate in size, bearing recurved setae. First gastric tergite coarsely and conspicuously tuberculate. Color brownish to yellow to medium reddish-brown. Queen: HL 1.1 - 1.25, HW 1.15 - 1.4, CI 105 - 112, SL 1.1 - 1.15, SI 82 - 96, ML 1.9 - 2.1. As in worker diagnosis, except for typical caste-specific morphology of the mesosoma related to wing-bearing and head with minute ocelli. Dorsolateral pronotal teeth well-developed, tuberculate, sharply triangulate in dorsal view, often blunt-tipped in anterior view. Mesoscutum coarsely and irregularly rugulose, sometimes with faint longitudinal pattern, minutely tuberculate, and with abundant short, suberect, slightly recurved setae. Male: HL 0.72 - 0.81, HW 0.75 - 0.84, CI 104, SL 0.81 - 0.9, SI 104 - 111, ML 1.6 - 1.8. Somewhat variable in size, but presenting the following characters: Dorsolateral pronotal tooth absent in dorsal view, ventrolateral pronotal tooth small, broadly to narrowly triangular. Mesoscutum irregularly rugulose, interrugal spaces coarsely granulose. Preocular carina a prominent vertical ridge, remaining strongly developed at least until it reaches the midpoint of the posterior border of the antennal scrobe. In full-face view, posterior corners of head more or less rounded, their outlines obscured by the presence of several conspicuous toothlike tuberculi on each corner.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
80E9FDCE821684343B305C86040BE144.taxon	discussion	Discussion In southern Arizona, T. carinatus co-occurs with T. arizonensis in mid elevation habitats. Workers and queens of these two species are easily distinguished by the distinctive frontal lobes of T. arizonensis and the preocular carinae nearly touching the frontal carinae in T. carinatus (not closely approaching the frontal carinae in T. arizonensis). T. carinatus also sometimes co-occurs with T. pomonae from which it may be separated by its larger size and symmetrical frontal lobes (lobes notably asymmetric in T. pomonae). In addition, workers of T. carinatus are superficially very similar to those of the allopatric T. septentrionalis, from which they may be separated by the characters given in the key.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
80E9FDCE821684343B305C86040BE144.taxon	etymology	Etymology The species name " carinatus " refers to the well-developed carinae on the vertex of the workers ' and queens ' heads.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
80E9FDCE821684343B305C86040BE144.taxon	biology_ecology	Biology	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
80E9FDCE821684343B305C86040BE144.taxon	distribution	Trachymyrmex carinatus was described by Mackay & Mackay (1997), based on specimens collected in Chihuahua, Mexico, and the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona. T. carinatus occurs in central and southern Arizona, western New Mexico and the Mexican States of Sonora, Chihuahua and Coahuila, often in sympatry with T. arizonensis. A single collection from the Kofa Mountains in southwest Arizona marks its westernmost limit. So far, T. carinatus has been encountered most commonly in the mountains of southern and central Arizona in mid elevation habitats (800 - 1800 m).	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
80E9FDCE821684343B305C86040BE144.taxon	biology_ecology	Colonies may be found in open exposed areas with sparse ground cover, such as washes or road-sides, but are especially abundant in oak-juniper-pinyon woodlands. The Kofa Mountains specimens were collected from a nest next to a water seep shaded by palm trees on the wall of a canyon at ~ 800 m elevation (R. Snelling, personal communication). Nests are sometimes found under stones, but are more often encountered in open ground, where they can be recognized by the circular shape of the nest crater, which contrasts with the more amorphous nest excavations of T. arizonensis. Excavations by C. Rabeling reveal that nests in the Chiricahua Mountains of southern Arizona have one to three fungus garden chambers, with the shallowest chamber only 5 cm beneath the soil surface. Colonies have fewer than 100 workers. Mating flights occur near dawn on mornings following summer rains (Mackay & Mackay 1997).	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
80E9FDCE821684343B305C86040BE144.taxon	materials_examined	Additional material examined: U. S. A.: Arizona, Cochise County: 5.5 km W Portal (C Rabeling), Chiricahua Mtns. Southwestern Research Station (RA Johnson, UG Mueller, C Rabeling & SP Cover), Huachuca Mtns. Carr Canyon (SP Cover), Huachuca Mtns. Sunnyside Canyon (RR Snelling), Peloncillo Mtns. Cottonwood Canyon (WS Creighton); Gila County: Jct. USFS Rd. 287 & 287 A (RA Johnson), Sierra Ancha Mtns. Pocket Creek (RA Johnson), Sierra Ancha Mtns. 14.8 mi N Salt River on Rt. 288 (RA Johnson, SP Cover); Pinal Co: USFS Rd. 287 at 0.4 mi SE Pinto Creek (RA Johnson), Santa Cruz Co: 1 mi E Atascosa Lookout (RA Johnson), 1 mi S American Peak, Harshaw Creek Rd (RA Johnson), Pajarito Mtns 0.1 mi W Jct FSR 4181 on FSR 39 (SP Cover), Pajarito Mtns Yanks Canyon (RA Johnson), 8.8 mi W JctI- 19 Rt 92 on FSR 368 (SP Cover); Yuma Co: Kofa Game Refuge, 2 mi SE Jct 24 (P Mehlhop & RR Snelling); New Mexico, Sierra Co: Hillsboro (PS Ward); MEXICO: Coahuila: Puerto de Ventanillas (E & WP Mackay).	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
6EF864D002CDE7AE50EC90585843C436.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Worker: HL 0.8 - 1.12, HW 0.8 - 1.28, CI 100 - 114, SL 0.8 - 1.16, SI 91 - 100, ML 1.08 - 1.76. A mediumsized, relatively robust species (HL 0.8 - 1.12, HW 0.8 - 1.28) with relatively short antennal scapes (SI 91 - 100) that surpass the posterior corners of the head by at least their maximum diameter. Head broader than long in most workers, broad as long in some small workers (CI 100 - 114), gradually tapering anteriorly behind the eyes, more strongly tapering between the eyes and mandibular insertions. Posterior margin of head slightly to moderately concave. Preocular carinae short, traversing about half the distance between the eye and the frontal carinae. In full-face view, frontal lobes simple, rounded or subtriangular, more or less symmetrical in shape (anterior side sometimes slightly longer than posterior). Anterolateral promesonotal teeth short, thick, usually pointed, not blunt. Propodeal teeth sharply pointed, shorter than the distance between their bases. Dorsal surface of body moderately tuberculate, but tuberculi are generally small and their setae short and strongly recurved. Side of mesosoma sparsely tuberculate, tuberculi very small, scarcely visible. Color variable, ranging from brownish yellow to medium reddish-brown. Queen: HL 1.2 - 1.25, HW 1.35 - 1.4, CI 89 - 113, SL 1.15, SI 82 - 85, ML 2.0 - 2.05. Generally as in worker diagnosis, except with typical caste-specific structures related to wing-bearing, and head with minute ocelli. Dorsolateral pronotal teeth prominent, broadly triangular, sharply pointed. Ventrolateral pronotal teeth short, triangular, and more or less pointed. Mesoscutum longitudinally rugulose, minutely tuberculate, setae abundant, short, straight, and suberect. Male: HL 0.95, HW 1.0, CI 105, SL 0.9, SI 90, ML 2.05. In dorsal view, dorsolateral pronotal teeth short, sharp, and broadly triangular. Ventrolateral pronotal teeth small, more or less triangular. Irregular rugulae present on all surfaces of pronotum; mesoscutum covered with coarse, longitudinal, slightly reticulate rugulae. Antennal scrobe granulate, with at least several small transverse rugulae distributed over anterior 3 / 4. First gastric tergite minutely tuberculate, with abundant short, weakly recurved, decumbent seta.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
6EF864D002CDE7AE50EC90585843C436.taxon	discussion	Discussion Trachymyrmex desertorum is broadly sympatric throughout much of southern Arizona with the similar T carinatus and T pomonae (see distribution maps), but it generally occurs at lower elevations in true desert habitats, rather than in mid elevation woodlands or forests. Females can be distinguished from those of T. carinatus by head shape (square to longer than broad in T. carinatus), short preocular carinae that do not closely approach the frontal carinae (closely approaching the frontal carinae in T. carinatus), and shorter antennal scapes. It may be distinguished from T. pomonae by its slightly asymmetric frontal lobes (lobes strongly asymmetric in T. pomonae). In the field this ant is most likely to be confused with small workers of Acromyrmex versicolor Pergande, which is common in many of the same habitats. In Acromyrmex the head is cordate, the mesosoma is spinose, rather than tuberculate, and the frontal lobes have two short laterallydirected teeth. None of these characters is present in T. desertorum.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
6EF864D002CDE7AE50EC90585843C436.taxon	etymology	Etymology Wheeler collected the T. desertorum types a few hundred meters from the Carnegie Desert Botanical Laboratory in Tucson, Arizona, on the bank of a dry arroyo that skirts Tumamoc hill in the " … feeble shade of the Parkinsonia and Acacia trees in the very hard, pebbly, desert soil … " (Wheeler 1910, p. 100). This typical Sonoran Desert habitat no doubt inspired the species name.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
6EF864D002CDE7AE50EC90585843C436.taxon	biology_ecology	Biology	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
6EF864D002CDE7AE50EC90585843C436.taxon	distribution	Trachymyrmex desertorum is a Sonoran Desert species occurring at 530 - 840 m elevation in central and southern Arizona and the Mexican State of Sonora. A Trachymyrmex record from Willacy County, Texas (coll. Creighton 8 - XI- 1951) is erroneously cited as T. desertorum in the literature (Wheeler & Wheeler 1985; O ' Keefe et al. 2000). The specimen belongs to T. turrifex and is currently deposited in the Jeanette Wheeler Collection at the University of Arizona. Therefore, there is no evidence that T. desertorum occurs in west Texas.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
6EF864D002CDE7AE50EC90585843C436.taxon	biology_ecology	Typically, T. desertorum occurs in Sonoran Desert habitats with palo verde (Parkinsonia spp.), creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), Acacia, jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis), honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), and saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea). Nests are often in the shade under palo verde or mesquite trees, and are sometimes common in small washes. Foragers have been observed to collect green leaflets and fresh flower petals, but they have not been observed climbing plants and cutting live vegetation (C. Rabeling, personal observation). Nest craters are moderate in size (10 - 20 cm in diameter), conical in shape, and can be confused with the small craters of incipient A. versicolor nests. Trachymyrmex desertorum nests in very rocky soil, such that the limited excavatable space between the boulders often results in amorphously shaped fungus chambers. Nests contain 1 to 3 chambers that are placed up to 120 cm below the surface. Mating flights occur near dawn on mornings following summer rains. The single flight observed to date (J. Weser, pers. comm.) occurred on the same day as a mating flight of A. versicolor.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
6EF864D002CDE7AE50EC90585843C436.taxon	materials_examined	Additional material examined: U. S. A.: Arizona, Apache County: Santa Catalina Mtns. (WS Creighton), Cochise County: Chiricahua Mtns. Southwestern Research Station (HV Weems, Jr.), Dragoon (WS Creighton); Gila County: 6.3 mi NNW Jct. Salt River on Rt. 288 (RA Johnson, UG Mueller, C Rabeling, A Rodrigues, SP Cover); Maricopa County: McDowell Mountain Park (RA Johnson); Pima County: Avra Valley (JH Hunt), Baboquivari Mtns. (WS Creighton), Oro Valley near First Ave. and Tangerine (RA Johnson), Tucson Tumamoc Hill (RA Johnson), MEXICO: Sonora, 10 mi S Sonoyta (WS Creighton).	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
1BE8FC10CB07B714CBA0FAB008904CBE.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Worker: HL 1.2 - 1.35, HW 1.35 - 1.45, CI 107 - 113, SL 1.2 - 1.25, SI 86 - 89, ML 2 - 2.1. A large, relatively slender species with relatively long antennae and legs. Antennal scapes surpass posterior corners of head by 1 - 2 times their maximum diameter. Head shape slightly longer than broad (CI 107 - 113) in full-face view, sides subparallel behind the eyes, slightly tapering anteriorly between the eyes and mandibular insertions. Posterior margin moderately concave. Clypeus with row of coarse, long hairs on anterior margin, projecting forwards over the dorsal surface of the mandibles; in side view a few shorter erect hairs often present posterior to the anterior row. Preocular carinae relatively short, stopping at about 1 / 3 the distance between eye and posterior corner of head, always subparallel to frontal carinae, not traversing antennal scrobe. Frontal carinae long, reaching back to posterior corner of head. Antennal scrobe well developed but shallow, extending above the posterior margin of the head as a small tooth. In full-face view, frontal lobes broad, rounded, symmetrical in shape. Anterolateral promesonotal tooth long, thin, sharply pointed, projecting forward and upwards. Propodeal teeth sharply pointed, variable in size, approximately as long as the distance between their bases. Head and mesosoma sparsely tuberculate, with small tuberculi bearing short, fine, recurved setae. In full-face view, two ridges are present on the posterior third of head, between the frontal carinae. Gaster strongly tuberculate, in dorsal view tuberculi form four more or less distinct longitudinal ridges on first gastric tergite. Color dark reddish-black or gray-black, appendages and two petiolar segments usually a lighter reddish-brown. Queen: HL 1.25, HW 1.6 - 1.7, CI 128 - 136, SL 1.15 - 1.2, SI 68 - 75, ML 2 - 2.05. As in worker diagnosis but with typical caste-specific mesosomal morphology related to wing-bearing and head with small ocelli. In dorsal view, dorsolateral pronotal teeth large and conspicuous, sharp, narrowly triangular. Ventrolateral pronotal teeth large, lobelike (rarely triangular). Mesoscutum with coarse, longitudinal, finely tuberculate rugulae; tuberculi bearing short, stiff, slightly recurved suberect setae. Posterior portion of scutellum bearing two prominent lobelike teeth projecting posteriorly. Pronotal sides, mesopleura, and propodeum with only a few miniscule tuberculi, if any. Male: HL 0.72 - 0.75, HW 0.69 - 0.75, CI 96 - 100, SL 0.87 - 0.99, SI 121 - 139, ML 2.1 - 2.4. A comparatively large male with relatively long appendages and antennal scapes. Posterior corners of head much rounded in full-face view, ocelli very large, elevated above remainder of head, forming a short, vertical " turret " in side view. Dorsolateral pronotal teeth unique, taking the form of thin, needlelike spines. Ventrolateral teeth absent. Gaster finely tuberculate, each tubercle bearing a short erect to suberect more or less recurved seta.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
1BE8FC10CB07B714CBA0FAB008904CBE.taxon	discussion	Discussion Trachymyrmex jamaicensis is a unique species in the context of the US American fauna. No other Trachymyrmex shows the combination of large body size, dark coloration, almost quadrate head shape, antennal scrobes extending to posterior corners of head, long scapes, and four tuberculate longitudinal ridges on the first gastric tergite.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
1BE8FC10CB07B714CBA0FAB008904CBE.taxon	etymology	Etymology Andre (1893) described T. jamaicensis based on two worker specimens collected by M. Fox in Jamaica (no date given). The species name obviously refers to the Caribbean island on which the types were collected.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
1BE8FC10CB07B714CBA0FAB008904CBE.taxon	biology_ecology	Biology	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
1BE8FC10CB07B714CBA0FAB008904CBE.taxon	distribution	In the United States T. jamaicensis occurs only in southeast Florida and the Florida Keys, but it is also widely distributed through much of the Caribbean (see distribution map). Smith (1954) suggested that Trachymyrmex jamaicensis is a non-native species that was recently introduced from the Caribbean, whereas Deyrup (1994) argues for an early, natural introduction because of morphological differences between the Florida and Caribbean populations. A thorough study of population genetics and morphology would be required to test these hypotheses.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
1BE8FC10CB07B714CBA0FAB008904CBE.taxon	biology_ecology	In Florida, T. jamaicensis inhabits coastal tropical hardwood hammocks on shallow, sandy, coralline-rock-derived soils. Nests usually have several chambers; Weber (1967) found eight chambers in a colony excavated in the Bahamas. Based on partial nest excavations, Wheeler (1905, 1907) estimated that T. jamaicensis colonies contain 150 to several hundred workers. Due to the increasing urbanization of the coastline, Deyrup (1994) considers T. jamaicensis potentially endangered in Florida, which would give T. jamaicensis the distinction of being the first endangered fungus-growing ant species (IUCN 2006).	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
1BE8FC10CB07B714CBA0FAB008904CBE.taxon	materials_examined	Additional material examined: BAHAMAS: Andros Island (WM Wheeler, WM Mann); Bimini Island (NA Weber); Eleuthera, Rainbow Bay (DB & RW Wiley, JR Wiley); San Salvador (Deyrup); HAITI: Diquini (WM Mann), Manneville (WM Mann), Port du Prince (WM Mann); PUERTO RICO: Culebra Island (WM Wheeler), Guanica State Forest (JT Longino); U. S. A.: Florida, Broward County: Dania (WF Buren); Dade County: Elliot Key (M Deyrup); Martin County: Jonathan Dickinson State Park (M Deyrup, L Davis); Monroe County: Bahia Honda State Recreation Area (M Deyrup), Big Pine Key, Watson's Hammock (M Deyrup, EG Riley, PS Ward), Fat Deer Key (UG Mueller), Grassy Key (M Deyrup), Indian Key (M Deyrup), Key Largo (M Deyrup, UG Mueller), Long Key (M Deyrup, EO Wilson), John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (M Deyrup), Shark Key (N Carlin, M Deyrup).	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
5686751B6716E09F08934FA8F850B158.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Worker: HL 1.1 - 1.35, HW 1.05 - 1.5, CI 96 - 112, SL 1.4 - 1.8, SI 117 - 133, ML 1.7 - 2.2. Large species (HL 1.1 - 1.35; HW 1.05 - 1.5), with relatively long legs and antennae (SI 117 - 133). Head generally longer than broad (CI 96 - 112), tapering slightly anterior to the eye, posterior border weakly concave. Antennal scape narrowing abruptly toward the antennal insertion, with a conspicuous lobe just distal to the narrowing. Frontal lobes well developed, evenly rounded, equilateral. Frontal carinae short, joining with preocular carinae to form short, distinctive " scrobes " that end just posterior to the level of the eye. Anterior terminus of the preocular carina forming a small tooth in full-face view. Anterolateral promesonotal teeth spinelike, sharply pointed, directed upwards and forward in side view. Propodeal spines toothlike, shorter than the distance between their bases. Body moderately tuberculate. Color yellowish brown. Queen: HL 1.36 - 1.45, HW 1.4 - 1.45, CI 97 - 104, SL 1.64 - 1.8, SI 117 - 124, ML 2.25 - 2.4. Generally as in worker diagnosis, but mesosoma with caste-specific morphology relating to wing-bearing and the head bearing small ocelli. Dorsolateral pronotal teeth large, tuberculate and sharply pointed in dorsal view; ventrolateral pronotal teeth well-developed, resembling a blunt lobe. Mesoscutum lacking longitudinal rugulae but with numerous small tubercles, each bearing a short, sharply recurved seta. Male: unknown.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
5686751B6716E09F08934FA8F850B158.taxon	discussion	Discussion Trachymyrmex nogalensis is distinguished from other US Trachymyrmex species by the short, unique " scrobes " and the unusual basal lobe on the antennal scapes. In the field it can be confused only with the occasionally sympatric T. arizonensis, from which it is easily distinguished by the basal lobe on the antennal scape, (absent in T. arizonensis), and the distinctive frontal lobes of T. arizonensis (Figure 1 B), (absent in T. nogalensis).	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
5686751B6716E09F08934FA8F850B158.taxon	etymology	Etymology Trachymyrmex nogalensis was described from Nogales, Arizona, based on workers that Byars collected from a colony nesting under his house. The species name clearly refers to the type locality.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
5686751B6716E09F08934FA8F850B158.taxon	biology_ecology	Biology	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
5686751B6716E09F08934FA8F850B158.taxon	distribution	Trachymyrmex nogalensis is rarely collected and is also the only Trachymyrmex species in the US whose male remains undiscovered. So far, it is known from only two locations in Arizona: the type locality, Nogales (in Santa Cruz County) and the Chiricahua Mountains (Cochise County) in the southeast corner of the state. All collections have been made in mid elevation habitats at 1200 - 1550 m.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
5686751B6716E09F08934FA8F850B158.taxon	biology_ecology	Byars (1951) collected workers and dealate queens on the porch of his house. Unfortunately, he provided no further information on the surrounding habitat or on any other nests. In the Chiricahua Mountains, we found T nogalensis in creosote bush, mesquite-dominated desert habitats and on a rocky limestone outcrop dominated by Ocotillo, Acacia, Agave and Mimosa. Nests were cryptic and the entrances were located in cracks on rock-face. No information is available on nest architecture, fungus gardens, or number of workers in a colony because the extremely rocky ground makes excavation close to impossible. Trachymyrmex nogalensis is seldom encountered, probably because of it nocturnal foraging behavior and its cryptic nest sites. Studies of ecology, behavior and fungus cultivation would be fruitful areas for further research.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
5686751B6716E09F08934FA8F850B158.taxon	materials_examined	Additional material examined: U. S. A.: Arizona, Cochise County: Chiricahua Mtns. 0.8 mi WNW Jct. FSR 42 on FSR 42 D (SP Cover), Chiricahua Mtns. 2 km WNW Portal (G Alpert, RA Johnson, C Rabeling), Huachuca Mtns., Palmerlee (WM Wheeler); Santa Cruz County: Nogales (JN Kaiser, J Steward).	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
07B4B6C69FEDB9BAE83F9D4763EB5465.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Worker: HL 0.75 - 0.95, HW 0.78 - 0.95, CI 97 - 103, SL 0.73 - 0.88, SI 89 - 100, ML 1.0 - 1.28. The smallest species of Trachymyrmex in the US (HL 0.75 - 0.95; HW 0.78 - 0.95), with relatively short legs and antennal scapes (SI 89 - 100). Head quadrate (CI 97 - 103), sides subparallel behind the level of the eye, moderately tapering anteriorly between the eye and mandibular insertion. Posterior margin slightly to moderately concave. In full-face view, preocular carinae short, traversing only about half the distance between the eye and the frontal carinae. Frontal lobes subtriangular or rounded in full-face view, notably asymmetric with the anterior side of the lobe markedly longer than the posterior. Mesosomal teeth generally small in size, sometimes reduced to tubercles. Anterolateral promesonotal teeth short, usually pointed, projecting horizontally, not vertically. Propodeal teeth usually acute, shorter than the distance between the bases. Dorsal surface of the body moderately tuberculate, tuberculi small, tubercular setae short, recurved or straight and erect, tuberculi on sides of mesosoma minute, sometimes absent on sides of pronotum. Color medium reddish-brown. Queen: HL 0.95 - 1.05, HW 1.05 - 1.1, CI 105 - 111, SL 0.9, SI 82 - 86, ML 1.5 - 1.55. As in worker diagnosis, but with caste-specific morphology of the mesosoma related to wing bearing and the presence of small ocelli on the head. Dorsoventral pronotal teeth present only as right angles in dorsal view, rather than as a triangular tooth. Ventrolateral pronotal teeth small, broadly triangular. Mesoscutum with coarse longitudinal rugulae, tubercles absent, stiff, suberect setae moderately abundant, inclined posteriorly. First gastric tergite densely and minutely tuberculate, with abundant short, decumbent, slightly recurved setae. Male: HL 0.6 - 0.75. HW 0.6 - 0.75, CI 100 - 108, SL 0.6 - 0.8, SI 93 - 107, ML 1.3 - 1.65. Somewhat variable in size, but smaller than other North American Trachymyrmex males (ML 1.3 - 1.65). Dorsolateral pronotal teeth absent. Ventrolateral pronotal teeth small, triangular. Preocular carinae as described in the key. Posterior corners of head angulate in full-face view and bearing only small tuberculi.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
07B4B6C69FEDB9BAE83F9D4763EB5465.taxon	description	Description HOLOTYPE WORKER: HL 0.81, HW 0.87, CI 107, SL 0.78, SI 90, ML 1.17. As in the diagnosis and as illustrated in Figure 12. Integument of head coarse, sandpaperlike, with curved setae, posterior corners rounded. Dorsal and lateral margins of head tuberculate, largest tuberculi on posterior corners, smaller tuberculi on lateral margin. In full-face view, frontal carinae almost reach dorsal margin of head. In lateral view, preocular carinae form straight line traversing the antennal scrobe by 1 / 3 its width. Antennal scrobe shallow, not tuberculate, with some short setae in dorsal half of scrobe. Frontal lobes subtriangular with anterior side twice as long as posterior one. Mandibles shiny, striate with 7 teeth / denticles. Antennal scape with abundant appressed setae, surpassing dorsal margin of head by 1.5 x its maximum diameter. Mesosomal teeth short and rounded, median pronotal teeth reduced. Each tooth bears several erect, curved setae. Dorsal surface of propodeum with two tuberculate ridges, leading to propodeal teeth; each ridge bearing three tuberculi and several recurved setae. Anterior peduncle of petiole short, less than 1 / 3 the length of petiolar node. Petiole half as wide as postpetiole. Postpetiole oval in dorsal view, wider than long; posterior margin concave. First gasteric tergite tuberculate with recurved setae; tuberculi small. Color uniformly medium reddish-brown, with a faint, dark stripe on first gastric tergite. Paratype workers: HL 0.75 - 0.95, HW 0.78 - 0.95, CI 97 - 103, SL 0.73 - 0.88, SI 89 - 100, ML 1.0 - 1.28. PARATYPE QUEEN: HL 0.96, HW 0.99, CI 103, SL 0.84, SI 85, ML 1.47. As in worker and queen diagnosis, with caste specific structure of mesosomal morphology, and as illustrated in Figure 13. Integument of head sandpaperlike, slightly irregular, fine-textured, dull with scattered minute tubercles. Head, tuberculation, frontal and preocular carinae, antennal scrobes and frontal lobes shaped as in worker. Mandibles shiny, striate with 9 teeth / denticles. Antennal scapes with many appressed setae, surpassing posterior corner of head 1 x its maximum diameter. Mesosoma with typical morphology of the queen caste. In dorsal view, dorsolateral pronotal teeth short, broad, its peak almost forming a 90 ° angle, projecting horizontally not vertically. Posterior margin of scutellum slightly concave, edges do not form a distinct tooth. In lateral view, propodeal teeth very short and pointed, approximately 3 / 4 as long as broad at its base. Petiole, postpetiole, and gaster shaped as in workers. PARATYPE MALE: HL 0.65, HW 0.7, CI 108, SL 0.65, SI 93, ML 1.3. Head broader than long, mandibles short, apical and subapical tooth present, other teeth small to minute, sometimes indistinct or partly to entirely absent. Preocular carinae weakening posteriorly, becoming less conspicuous, broken, or sometimes incomplete as it forms the posterior border of the antennal scrobe. Dorsal surface of head coarsely granulate, finely rugulose, posterior margin with less than 15 small tuberculi, no tooth present on the corners. Posterolateral pronotal teeth short, broadly pyramidal, sometimes rounded. Anterolateral pronotal teeth absent. Sculpture on mesosoma, petiole, postpetiole and gaster coarsely granulate. Fine rugulae present on most of the mesosoma, primarily longitudinal on the mesoscutum, mostly reticulate on the scutellum and on the sides. Rugulae and tuberculi largely absent from the first gastric tergite, but numerous short, appressed, recurved setae present. Head dark blackish brown, scape lighter brown, mandibles and funiculus yellowish brown.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
07B4B6C69FEDB9BAE83F9D4763EB5465.taxon	discussion	Discussion Probably sympatric with T. carinatus and T. arizonensis in mid elevation woodland habitats throughout much of southern Arizona and northern Mexico, but workers and queens of T. pomonae are easily recognized by their smaller size, shorter antennal scapes, notably asymmetric frontal lobes, and short preocular carinae that do not approach the frontal carinae. T. pomonae is most similar to T. desertorum, but is separable by its strongly asymmetric frontal lobes (weakly asymmetric at most in T. desertorum), smaller size, and different habitat preferences.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
07B4B6C69FEDB9BAE83F9D4763EB5465.taxon	etymology	Etymology In traditional Roman religion, Pomona was the goddess of fruit trees, gardens and orchards. Trachymyrmex pomonae therefore is Pomona ' s Trachymyrmex, because the ant ' s cultivation of fungus gardens is a highly developed form of " pomology " that would surely please the goddess.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
07B4B6C69FEDB9BAE83F9D4763EB5465.taxon	materials_examined	Additional material: R. A. Johnson collected specimens from two colonies of T. pomonae in Sonora, Mexico (5 km east San Pedro de la Cueva; 27 - IV- 2004). The nests had been found in the shade in a mesic canyon and had no nest mound. Deciduous thorn scrub produced an abundant leaf litter layer on the bottom of the canyon.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
07B4B6C69FEDB9BAE83F9D4763EB5465.taxon	biology_ecology	Biology	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
07B4B6C69FEDB9BAE83F9D4763EB5465.taxon	distribution	Trachymyrmex pomonae is the smallest Trachymyrmex species occurring in the United States. So far, this species is known only from southern Arizona (Cochise and Santa Cruz Counties) and the state of Sonora, Mexico. In Arizona, T pomonae lives sympatrically with T carinatus and T arizonensis in the Chiricahua, Patagonia, and Pajarito Mountains at elevations of 1200 - 1700 m.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
07B4B6C69FEDB9BAE83F9D4763EB5465.taxon	biology_ecology	The open woodland habitat in these mountains is dominated by Emory and Gray Oaks (Quercus emoryi and Q. grisea), pinyon pine (Pinus edulis), juniper (Juniperus deppeana), and in some places Chihuahua Pine (Pinus leiophylla). Trachymyrmex pomonae nests in very rocky soil. Nest craters are small, approximately 5 cm in diameter, or absent. When craters are absent, the nests are difficult to find, because the entrance is minute and the ants inconspicuous. Excavated nests had 1 - 3 fungus chambers distributed from 5 - 40 cm below the surface; fungus gardens were suspended from the ceiling of the chambers. The largest colony contained 183 workers, 2 dealate queens, 45 pupae and 31 larvae. Although a nuptial flight was not observed directly, winged queens and males were found from 9 - 25 August in the years 1999, 2001 and 2005. Males were encountered at nest entrances, whereas winged queens were found walking on the ground. The collection dates suggest that T pomonae disperses in the monsoon season (July-September), after heavy rainfall has softened the clayey loam soil, a habit shared with the other Trachymyrmex in Arizona. Workers forage diurnally in the leaf litter to collect vegetable debris and caterpillar feces, which they use to nourish the fungus garden.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
7D15FB05E5EFEA52A1B2242B2B4D6D57.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Worker: HL 0.84 - 0.96, HW 0.88 - 1.0, CI 104 - 105, SL 0.84 - 0.96, SI 96, ML 1.12 - 1.32. A relatively small (HL 0.84 - 0.96, HW 0.88 - 1.0), conspicuously tuberculate species with normally proportioned legs and antennal scapes (SI 96). Head slightly broader than long (CI 104 - 105), sides subparallel behind the eyes, gradually tapering anteriorly between the eyes and the mandibular insertion. Posterior margin moderately concave. Preocular carinae long, traversing 2 / 3 to 3 / 4 of the distance between the eye and the frontal carina but not nearly touching the frontal carinae. In full-face view, frontal lobes rounded or subtriangular, usually somewhat asymmetric, with the anterior side longer than the posterior. Anterolateral promesonotal teeth welldeveloped, thin, sharply pointed in dorsal view, projecting somewhat upward as well as horizontally. Anterior median pronotal tubercles upright, toothlike in posterior view. Propodeal teeth usually longer than the distance separating their bases, often spinelike, pointed. Posterior margin of head, mesonotal dorsum, dorsal surfaces of petiole, postpetiole and gaster conspicuously tuberculate, tuberculi largest particularly on posterior corners of head and on the first gastric tergite. Color brownish yellow to medium reddish-brown. Queen: HL 1.05 - 1.2, HW 1.1 - 1.25, CI 104 - 107, SL 1.05 - 1.15, SI 96 - 100, ML 1.55 - 1.85. As in worker diagnosis, but with caste-specific morphology the mesosoma related to wing-bearing. Dorsolateral pronotal teeth variable in size, but sharply triangulate in dorsal view, often blunt in anterior view. Ventrolateral pronotal teeth variable, but generally lobelike. Mesoscutum coarsely, longitudinally rugulose, finely tuberculate, tuberculi with short, sharply recurved hairs. First gastric tergite with numerous small tubercles bearing short, recurved, decumbent, recurved setae. Male: HL 0.75, HW 0.8 - 0.9, CI 100 - 107, SL 0.9 - 1.1, SI 113 - 122, ML 1.5 - 1.85. In frontal view, posterior corners of the head angulate, angles formed by short, tuberculate ridges best seen in dorsal view; ocelli small and inconspicuous. Dorsoventral pronotal teeth, short, sharp, triangulate in dorsal view; ventrolateral teeth short, triangular or lobelike. Sculpture of mesoscutum coarse, irregular, rugulose, sometimes weakly longitudinal. Tuberculi generally absent (miniscule, if present) on first gastric tergite.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
7D15FB05E5EFEA52A1B2242B2B4D6D57.taxon	discussion	Discussion Trachymyrmex septentrionalis is disturbingly similar to the allopatric T. carinatus, but separable by the characters given in the key and by their non-overlapping distributions; carinatus occurs only in the desert southwest, septentrionalis occurs in Texas and the states north and east of there. Molecular evidence suggests the similarity is convergent (see Figure 21 & General Discussion). It is likely that collections identified in the literature as T. septentrionalis from Durango, Mexico may actually represent T. carinatus (Rojas Fernandez 1994). Solely considering the publication date, Oecodoma virginiana Buckley (1867) would have seniority over McCook ' s (1881) Atta septentrionalis. But since Buckley ' s species description is insufficiently detailed to either recognize T. septentrionalis or distinguish between septentrionalis and its congeners, Wheeler (1902) proposed Oocodoma virginiana Buckley to be a junior synonym of Atta septentrionalis McCook. We agree with Wheeler and continue using the species name septentrionalis. Unfortunately, the locality of both types is unknown and we could not examine them.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
7D15FB05E5EFEA52A1B2242B2B4D6D57.taxon	etymology	Etymology McCook (1881) described the worker of T. septentrionalis based on material collected from Island Heights in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. The species name septentrionalis refers to the seven plowing oxen, the brightest stars of the Great Bear constellation, which dominate the skies of the northern hemisphere. Thus, septentrionalis loosely translates to " northern " in the context of North American fungus-growing ants.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
7D15FB05E5EFEA52A1B2242B2B4D6D57.taxon	biology_ecology	Biology	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
7D15FB05E5EFEA52A1B2242B2B4D6D57.taxon	distribution	Trachymyrmex septentrionalis has the most extensive distribution of all attine ants in the US. It has been collected from Texas to Florida and as far north as central Illinois, southern Ohio and Long Island, New York. Like most fungus-growing ants, the distribution of T. septentrionalis is locally patchy. In part, this may be a consequence of the distribution of suitable soils.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
7D15FB05E5EFEA52A1B2242B2B4D6D57.taxon	biology_ecology	In the northern part of its range, T. septentrionalis occurs exclusively on pure sand soils in open habitats and open woodlands of the Pine Barrens. In the southern US, T. septentrionalis is abundant in a wide variety of similar oak and pine dominated habitat types, all characterized by very sandy soils and light (if any) shade. It has also occasionally been found nesting in sandy clay soils in well-developed forests with considerable shade, particularly in the southern part of its range. During periods of high nest excavation activity in spring and fall, the crescent shaped mounds of T. septentrionalis are distinctive and conspicuous (Tschinkel & Bhatkar 1974). Older colonies may have several chambers, connected by one to few tunnels and inhabit a few hundred individuals (Weber 1972). As the northernmost distributed species of Trachymyrmex, colonies of T septentrionalis hibernate during the winter and the fungus garden assumes a dormant condition. The length of hibernation varies considerably with respect to latitude. The northernmost populations in New York and New Jersey have short active periods from early May to September, whereas Florida populations remain active during the winter, as long as temperatures exceed 18 ºC (Weber 1972). The army ant Neivamyrmex nigrescens and the ectatommine ant Gnamptogenys hartmani are known to raid colonies of T septentrionalis (Cole 1939).	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
7D15FB05E5EFEA52A1B2242B2B4D6D57.taxon	materials_examined	Additional material examined: U. S. A.: Alabama, Autauga County: Prattville (AS Mikheyev); Mobile County: Dauphin Island (WS Creighton), Theodore (EO Wilson); Arkansas, Miller County: State Line Rd. (UG Mueller); Washington County: Devil ' s Den State Park (AS Mikheyev); District of Columbia, Washington (T Pergande, HS Barber); Florida, Alachua County: Archer (M Deyrup), Gainesville (M Deyrup, KW Copper); Baker County: Osceola National Forest, East Tower, 250 (M Deyrup); Bay County: St. Andrews State Recreation Area (M Deyrup); Bradford County: Hampton (M Deyrup); Brevard County: Micco 6 mi W Micco Rd (M Deyrup), Melbourne Beach 2 mi S Ecological Preserve (M Deyrup), Eau Gallie (M Deyrup), Indian River City, Dicerandra Preserve (M Deyrup), Titusville (M Deyrup); Broward County: Hollywood, Topeekeegee Yugnee Park (M Deyrup), Ft. Lauderdale (DE Read); Citrus County: 12 mi NW Brooksville, Withlacoochee State Forest (M Deyrup), Pine Oak Estates, 488, 3 mi NE 495 (M Deyrup); Clay County: Camp Blanding (M Deyrup); Collier County: Rookery Bay Preserve (M Deyrup); Columbia County: O'Leno State Park (M Deyrup), Ichetucknee Springs State Park (M Deyrup), I- 75 & I- 10, 0.5 mi W (M Deyrup); Dade County: Coral Gables, Matheson Hammock (M Deyrup), Matheson State Park (EO Wilson); Desoto County: Arcadia, 13 mi E, 2 mi S of Headquarters (M Deyrup), Arcadia, W bank of Peace River (M Deyrup), Pine Level (M Deyrup); Dixie County: Jena (M Deyrup); Duval County: Jacksonville (M Deyrup), Fort George, Bis Talbot Is. State Park (Z Prusak); Escambia County: Pensacola (M Deyrup, EO Wilson); Franklin County: Carabelle Beach, 5 mi W (M Deyrup); Gilchrist County: Trenton (M Deyrup); Glades County: Muse 2 mi S (M Deyrup); Hardee County: Zolfo Springs (M Deyrup), Paynes Creek Historical Site (M Deyrup); Hendry County: 832 & 833, 3 mi NE (M Deyrup); Hernando County: Bayport (M Deyrup); Highlands County: Archbold Biological Station (SP Cover, M Deyrup, UG Mueller, C Rabeling, TC Schneirla, NA Weber), Sebring (M Deyrup), Highlands Hammock State Park (M Deyrup), Lakemont (M Deyrup); Hillsborough County: Tampa (M Deyrup); Holmes County: Ponce de Leon Springs State Park (M Deyrup); Jackson County: Three Rivers State Recreation Area (M Deyrup), Florida Caverns State Park (M Deyrup); Lake County: Lake Louisa State Park (M Deyrup); Ocala National Forest (M Deyrup); Lee County: Koreshan State Historic Site (M Deyrup); Leon County: Apalachicola National Forest (M Deyrup), Tallahassee (AS Mikheyev); Levy County: Bronson (M Deyrup); Liberty County: Torreya State Park (M Deyrup); Madison County: I- 10 & SR 53 (M. Deyrup); Manatee County: Lake Manatee Recreation Area (M Deyrup), Bradenton (M Deyrup, GD Reynolds); Marion County: Ocala National Forest (M Deyrup), Wiersdale (H Spencer); Martin County: Jonathan Dickinson State Park (WF Buren, M Deyrup, UG Mueller), Port Sewall (AL Melander); Miami-Dade County: Miami (WM Wheeler); Monroe County: Bahia Honda State Recreation Area (M Deyrup); Nassau County: Fort Clinch State Park (M Deyrup); Okaloosa County: Eglin Air Force Base (M Deyrup), Crestview (M Deyrup); Orange County: Orlando (M Deyrup), Wekiwa Springs State Park (M Deyrup, Z Prusak); Osceola County: Kenansville (M Deyrup), Kissimmee (M Deyrup); Pasco County: St. Leo (M Deyrup); Pinellas County: Fort Desoto Park (M Deyup), Belleair (AT Slosson); Polk County: Haines City (M Deyrup, DE Read), Winter Haven (C Dykes); Putnam County: Crescent (WM Mann); Santa Rosa County: Milton 10 mi E (M Deyrup); Sarasota County: Venice (M Deyrup); Seminole County: Oviedo 1 mi N (M Deyrup); St. Lucie County: Ft. Pierce (M Deyrup); Sumter County: Bay Hill (M Deyrup); Taylor County: Perry (M Deyrup); Volusia County: Blue Springs State Park (M Deyrup); Wakulla County: Wakulla Springs (M Deyrup); Walton County: DeFuniak Springs (M Deyrup); Washington County: Falling Water State Recreation Area (M Deyrup); GEORGIA, Lowndes County: Valdosta (AC Cole); Macon County: Marshallville (FJ Bartel); Richmond County: Ft. Gordon (RR Snelling); Ware County: Waycross (AS Mikheyev); Illinois, Peoria County: Sand Ridge State Park (AS Mikheyev); Pope County: Dixon Springs State Park (AS Mikheyev); Kentucky, Marshall County: Kentucky Dam (WL Brown); Louisiana, Allen Parish, Reevers (AM Himler); Beauregard Parish: De Ridder (WF Buren); Rapides Parish: Alexandria (WF Buren); Hineston (UG Mueller); Red River Parish: Rt. 371, NE Hall Summit (UG Mueller); St. Tammany Parish: Sildell (J Mathew); Vernon Parish: LA 10, mi 7 (UG Mueller); Walker County: Sam Houston National Forest (WL Brown); Webster Parish: Lake Bistineau St. Park (EG Riley), Sibley 3 mi W (UG Mueller); Mississippi, Clarke County: Clarkco State Park (WP Mackay), Clay County: Cedar Bluff (AC Cole, LC Murphree); Forrest County: Hattisburg (AH Sturtevant); Hardin County: Mantee (UG Mueller); Harrison County: Gulfport (AC Cole); Lee County: Tupelo (MR Smith); Lowndes County: Columbus (MR Smith); Monroe County: Quincy (MR Smith); Oktibbeha County: Agricultural College (MR Smith), Starkville (AS Mikheyev); Stone County: Wiggins (AH Sturtevant); Wayne County: Waynesboro (AH Sturtevant); North Carolina, Bladen County: White Oak (LR Sasser); Dare County: Roanoke Island (NA Weber); Richmond County: Hoffman (AS Mikheyev); New Jersey, Burlington County: Lebanon State Forest (AS Mikheyev), Moorestown (NJR White); Cumberland County: Bridgeton (FM Schott), Vineland (M Treat); Middlesex County: Bonhamtown (LB Woodruff); Ocean County: Howardsville (WL Brown), Lakehurst (WM Wheeler, WM Mann, R Crozier), Lakewood (FM Schott), Pine Barrens (NA Weber); New York, Suffolk County: Centereach, Long Island (AS Mikheyev); Oklahoma, Beckham County: Sayre (AC Cole); South Carolina, Dillon County: Lake View (DL Stephan); Florence County: Florence (MR Smith); Jasper County: Tillman (RA Mendez); Oconee County: Oconee State Park (MR Smith); Pickens County: Clemson College (MR Smith); Tennessee, Davidson County: Nashville (WS Creighton); Dickens County: Montgomery Bell Park (Pfitzer & Scott); Sevier County: Chilhowee Mtns. (AC Cole); Webster County: Shiloh National Military Park (UG Mueller); Texas, Anderson County: Palestine (FC Bishopp); Angelina County: Angelina National Forest (AS Mikheyev, C Rabeling); Bastrop County: Stengl Biological Station (UG Mueller, C Rabeling); Baylor County: at Brazos River, River Road (UG Mueller), 10 km N Kurten (WP Mackay), College Station (EG Riley, NA Weber); Brown County: Brownwood (WD Pierce); Caldwell County: Powell Road (UG Mueller); Cass County: Atlanta State Park (JD Moody); Denton County: Denton (WH Long, WM Wheeler); Fannin County: Ivanhoe (E & G Wheeler); Fort Bend County: Sugarland, Cullinan Park (UG Mueller); Franklin County: Montichello Missionary Baptist Church (UG Mueller); Grimes County: Rt. 30, 3.7 mi E Carlos (UG Mueller), Shiro (WF Buren); Hardin County: Rt 327, crossing of Village Creek (UG Mueller); Lamar County: Paris (A Rucker, CJ Brues); Liberty County: Liberty (UG Mueller); Medina County: Benton, near Devine (WH Long); Milam County: Milano (WM Wheeler); Montague County: Bonita, rest area E Rt. 82 & Rt. 1815 (UG Mueller); Montgomery County: Willis (JC Bridwell); Sabine County: 9 mi E Hemphill (Anderson, Riley & Moody); San Jacinto County: Rt. 2025, Lone Star Trail Head (UG Mueller); Smith County: Tyler State Park, Blackjack Nature Trail trailhead (UG Mueller); Travis County: Austin (UG Mueller, C Rabeling, WM Wheeler), Montopolis (WM Wheeler); Walker County: Huntsville (Hartman); Washington County: Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park (UG Mueller); Wise County: 7.5 mi SW Bridgeport (JV Moody); Wood County: 9 mi E Minneola on US 80 (JV Moody), Goodwin Woods, 3.5 mi SW Hainsville (EG Riley); Virginia, Appomattox County: Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest (S Rehner); Prince George County: Ft. Lee (RR Snelling); West Virginia, Putnam County: Barcroft (JC Bridwell).	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
E7D0BC69D206C42FCF7851235084F57F.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Worker: HL 0.94 - 1.25, HW 1.0 - 1.375, CI 100 - 111, SL 0.86 - 1.19, SI 84 - 89, ML 1.25 - 1.69. A large, dark colored species. Head trapezoidal, almost cordate; always broader than long (HW> HL) even in the smallest workers, widest at midpoint between the eye and the posterior corner, and strongly tapering anteriorly. Posterior margin of head moderately concave, more so in larger workers. Antennal scapes short, surpassing the posterior corner of the head by its maximum diameter or less. In full-face view, frontal carinae extending almost to the posterior corners, but weakening before they reach the vertex. Preocular carinae variably developed, traversing approximately half the distance between eye and frontal carina, never touching the frontal carinae. Antennal scrobes weakly developed. In full-face view, frontal lobes small, broadly triangular, usually asymmetrical, with anterior side longer than the posterior. In dorsal view, anterolateral promesonotal tooth thick, sharply pointed, projecting horizontally, not vertically. Anterior median promesonotal tubercles short, vertical, toothlike in frontal or posterior view. Propodeal teeth strongly divergent, spinelike and longer than the distance separating their bases. Vertex of head and gaster strongly tuberculate, remainder of body moderately tuberculate, tuberculi small, tubercular setae weakly to strongly recurved; tuberculi on sides of mesosoma miniscule and sparse. Texture of entire body surface coarse, sandpaperlike. Trachymyrmex smithi displays considerable color variation, ranging from grayish black or blackish brown to rarely dark red or reddish-brown. Queen: HL 1.2, HW 1.35 - 1.4, CI 113 - 114, SL 1.05 - 1.1, SI 78 - 79, ML 1.9 - 2.0. As in worker diagnosis but with typical caste-specific mesosomal morphology related to wing-bearing and head with small ocelli. Dorsolateral pronotal teeth well developed, tuberculate and sharply triangulate in dorsal view. Ventrolateral pronotal teeth short, triangular, not tuberculate and pointed. Mesoscutum longitudinally rugulose, not tuberculate. Pronotal sides, mesopleura and propodeum with only a few minute tuberculi, if any. Setae abundant, short, straight and suberect. Dorsum of mesosoma, petiole, postpetiole and gaster distinctly bicolored. Male: HL 0.81 - 0.84, HW 0.84 - 0.87, CI 100 - 107, SL 0.93 - 0.99, SI 107 - 118, ML 1.9 - 2.05. A large male with relatively long appendages and antennal scapes. Preocular carina a distinctive vertical ridge as it passes the eye and curves towards the midline, remaining strongly developed until the posteriormost portion of the " scrobe. " Ocelli moderately large, slightly elevated above the remainder of the head in side view. Dorsolateral pronotal teeth very short, indistinct, or absent. Ventrolateral pronotal teeth short, triangular. Mesoscutum with weakly reticulate longitudunal rugluae, interrugal spaces granulate. First gastric tergite minutely tuberculate, with numerous, short, decumbent or suberect recurved setae.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
E7D0BC69D206C42FCF7851235084F57F.taxon	discussion	Discussion Trachymyrmex smithi might be confused with T. jamaicensis due to its large size and dark coloration, but the species are allopatric; T. jamaicensis is only known from southwest Florida, the Florida Keys, and the Caribbean, whereas T. smithi occurs in the deserts of western Texas, New Mexico, and the State of Coahuila in northern Mexico (see distribution maps). In addition, the frontal and preocular carina of T. smithi do not form a well developed antennal scrobe that extends back to the preoccipital margin as in T. jamaicensis, and the frontal lobes are triangular in T. smithi, not rounded, as in T. jamacensis. Buren (1944) described T. smithi from Mexico (La Rosa, Coahuila) and Cole (1952) later based the subspecies T. smithi neomexicanus on workers from the United States (Las Cruces, New Mexico). Cole separated neomexicanus from smithi because it possessed larger and less tuberculate spines, a more concave posterior margin of the postpetiole, larger body size, darker color, and more abundant gray " granulation " on the integument. For a Trachymyrmex, T. smithi workers show considerable size variation and all characters, except color and the presence of granulation, vary proportionally to size. The morphological differences cited by Cole for neomexicanus fall well within the range of variation shown by this widely distributed species. Likewise, black, reddish-brown and intermediate color morphs are distributed over the species entire range, including the type locality (C. Rabeling personal observation). Molecular evidence also supports our contention that in T. smithi we are dealing with a single variable species. The short branch lengths in the molecular phylogenetic analysis (see below) show that the sequence diversity is minimal and similar for both smithi and neomexicanus (Figure 21). The more abundant gray granulation of neomexicanus mentioned by Cole (1952) is most likely caused by actinomycete bacteria of the genus Pseudonocardia (Cafaro & Currie 2005), which grow on the ant ' s exoskeleton. Actinomycete load on the worker ' s body surface varies among individuals of the same nest and is affected by worker age, characteristic activity (foraging versus garden-tending), or the health of the fungus garden. This coating is therefore of no taxonomic importance. To remove the sometimes confusing actinomycete coating, specimens can be washed with acidic acid (vinegar).	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
E7D0BC69D206C42FCF7851235084F57F.taxon	etymology	Etymology Buren (1944) named this species after Marion R. Smith, myrmecologist and curator of Hymenoptera at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC for many years during the mid twentieth century.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
E7D0BC69D206C42FCF7851235084F57F.taxon	biology_ecology	Biology	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
E7D0BC69D206C42FCF7851235084F57F.taxon	distribution	Trachymyrmex smithi is a Chihuahuan Desert species that occurs in southwest Texas, south-central New Mexico, and the Mexican states of Chihuahua and Coahuila.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
E7D0BC69D206C42FCF7851235084F57F.taxon	biology_ecology	It inhabits creosote bush bajadas (alluvial fans), mesquite / Yucca grassland playas (dry lakebeds) and mesquite coppice dune habitats at elevations of 1100 - 1500 m. Nests are often in the shade of creosote bush or Mormon tea (Ephedra trifurca). Older nests may have large nest mounds (~ 30 cm diameter) with conspicuous middens consisting of dried leaves and exhausted fungus substrate. The subterranean nests of T. smithi are the largest of all Trachymyrmex species occurring in the US. Older nests consist of more than 20 - 30 chambers (Johnson et al. 2006; Rabeling & Mueller, unpublished data) of which 50 - 60 % contain fungus gardens in the summer. Near El Paso, Texas, the fungus gardens are nourished with entire mesquite leaflets (Johnson et al. 2006; Rabeling, unpublished data), and resemble the fragile fungus gardens of grass-cutting Acromyrmex species in South America. Colonies can be very populous; Johnson et al. (2006) report up to 786 workers and 6 dealate queens in one nest, and Schuhmacher and Whitford (1974) estimate 1250 workers for one colony based on mark-recapture experiments. Colony activity and the number of fungus gardens decrease from November through May (Schuhmacher & Whitford 1976). Two nests, which we partially excavated during winter, had 26 chambers per colony, reaching down to 180 and 130 cm depth, respectively. None of the chambers contained a fungus garden in December, suggesting that T. smithi moves its gardens to deeper layers in winter. During springtime the excavation of two adjacent colonies showed, that in April the ants already moved the fungus garden to shallower nest chambers. Numerous fungus gardens were encountered hanging from the chambers ' ceilings in 25 - 130 cm depth. From the partially excavated winter colonies, 212 and 362 workers were collected (Rabeling & Mueller, unpublished data). Trachymyrmex smithi forages mostly at night during the summer months, to avoid soil temperatures exceeding 50 ° C during the day (Whitford 1978).	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
E7D0BC69D206C42FCF7851235084F57F.taxon	materials_examined	Additional material examined: U. S. A.: New Mexico, Dona Ana County: 3 mi NNE Las Cruces (C Rabeling), 10 mi NNW Las Cruces on Hwy 185 (UG Mueller, C Rabeling, A Rodrigues), 25 km NE Las Cruces, LTER site (WP Mackay), 45 km NW Las Cruces (E & WP Mackay), Dona Ana Range (P Lenhart), Las Cruces (AC Cole), Mesilla Park (J Bequaert, AC Cole, WM Wheeler); Otero County: Tularosa (AC Cole); Texas, Brewster County: 6 mi SE Panther Junction (JV Moody), Rio Grande Village (UG Mueller); El Paso County: 4.3 mi NE Farbens (OF Francke, JV Moody & TB Hall), Anthony (OF Francke, JV Moody & TB Hall), Horizon City (P Lenhart), SW Hueco Mtns. (P Lenhart), UTEP campus (P Lenhart); Pecos County: Fort Stockton (AC Cole); Presidio County: 22 mi N Candelaria (OF Francke, JV Moody & TB Hall), Presidio County: 26.2 mi N Candelaria (OF Francke, JV Moody & TB Hall), Presidio Co: 34 mi SE Presidio (OF Francke, JV Moody & TB Hall); MEXICO: Chihuahua, Chihuahua (E & WP Mackay); Coahuila, La Rosa (C Rabeling).	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
1DC94E957608D014A3764553992F8457.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Worker: HL 0.88 - 1.0, HW 0.8 - 0.96, CI 91 - 96, SL 0.72 - 0.8, SI 83 - 91, ML 1.2 - 1.4. A medium sized, species (HL 0.88 - 1.0, HW 0.8 - 0.96) with the shortest antennal scapes (SI 83 - 91) relative to head width of all US Trachymyrmex species. The scapes reach or pass the posterior corner of the head by half its maximum diameter at most. Head slightly longer than broad (CI 91 - 96) with its maximum width close to the posterior border of head, tapering gradually from point of broadest width to mandibular insertion. Posterior margin moderately concave. Both preocular and frontal carinae long and subparallel, reaching back towards the posterior margin of head, forming well-developed antennal scrobes. In full face view, frontal lobes broad, rounded, describing a half circle. Anterolateral promesonotal teeth short, thin, in dorsal view sharply pointed, directed anterolaterally and upwards. Bases of median pronotal teeth fused, but the peaks of each tooth still distinguishable. Propodeal teeth pointed, almost twice as long as the distance between their bases. Dorsal body surface strongly tuberculate, tuberculi well developed, on first gastric tergite, sometimes connected through ridges. Tuberculi bearing long, dark, strongly recurved setae. Side of mesosoma less tuberculate, tuberculi smaller. Color is variable from yellowish brown to medium reddish brown. Queen: HL 1.1 - 1.2, HW 1.1 - 1.2, CI 100, SL 0.85 - 1.0, SI 71 - 87, ML 1.7 - 1.8. As in the worker diagnosis, except for case-specific structures of the mesosoma related to wing-bearing. Dorsoventral pronotal teeth pointed, broadly triangular in dorsal view; ventrolateral pronotal teeth small, lobelike. Mesoscutum with moderately abundant, short, coarse, longitudinal rugulae and abundant small tuberculi, each bearing a stiff, more or less recurved suberect or decumbent seta. Rear border of scutellum projecting posteriorly as two lobelike teeth. First gastric tergite covered with small tubercles interconnected by a network of fine rugulae forming an almost geometric pattern; each tubercle bearing a stiff, recurved, decumbent setae. Male: HL 0.7 - 0.75, HW 0.6, CI 80 - 86, SL 0.7 - 0.75, SI 117 - 125, ML 1.5 - 1.6. A distinctive Trachymyrmex male easily recognized by the general lack of tuberculi on all body surfaces. In addition, the rear border of the antennal scrobe is poorly defined or absent. Dorsoventral pronotal teeth small, triangular, usually sharply pointed; ventrolateral pronotal teeth absent. Mesoscutum sparsely to moderately longitudinally rugulose, interrugal spaces finely granulate. In dorsal view, rear border of scutellum forming two triangular teeth that project posteriorly. First gastric tergite finely granulate with scattered punctures bearing fine, appressed recurved setae.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
1DC94E957608D014A3764553992F8457.taxon	discussion	Discussion Trachymyrmex turrifex is distinguished from other North American species by its well-developed antennal scrobes. Only the allopatric T. jamaicensis has comparably developed antennal scrobes, but it may be easily distinguished from T. turrifex by its larger size, reddish-black coloration and shorter clypeal pilosity (as described in the key). Trachymyrmex turrifex is distributed throughout Texas, northeastern Mexico, western Louisiana, and barely reaches southern Oklahoma. Individuals are somewhat variable in size, and color varies from light yellowish brown to dark reddish-brown. Wheeler (1903) described turrifex from several localities in Central Texas, and T. turrifex caroli as a subspecies of T. turrifex from Huntsville, Texas (1911). Wheeler ' s reasoning was that caroli " represents a depauperate, arenicolous race ranging considerably eastwards of the typical turrifex " (Wheeler 1911, p. 248). Wheeler distinguished between these two " subspecies " based on the smaller body size, brownish yellow coloration, smaller tubercles, and lack of longitudinal impression on first gastric tergite in T. turrifex caroli. In our experience, all of these character states fall well within the variation observed within and among colonies of typical turrifex, as seen throughout its known geographic range, which now extends to western Louisiana and places Huntsville towards the center of T. turrifex ' s distribution (Figure 24 C). Since we were not able to locate Wheeler ' s type specimens of T. turrifex caroli, we collected fresh material at the type locality in Huntsville, Texas. These specimens were morphologically not different from other examined turrifex. Lastly, our DNA sequence information indicates that caroli is also genetically not distinct from turrifex (Figure 21). We therefore synonymize T. turrifex caroli with T. turrifex.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
1DC94E957608D014A3764553992F8457.taxon	etymology	Etymology The epithet for T. turrifex is derived from its characteristic turretlike nest entrances, which are built from soil particles and leaf litter debris.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
1DC94E957608D014A3764553992F8457.taxon	biology_ecology	Biology	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
1DC94E957608D014A3764553992F8457.taxon	distribution	The geographic range of T. turrifex is centered in Texas and extends into southern Oklahoma, western Louisiana, and south into the Mexican States of Chihuahua and Tamaulipas (Figure 24 C).	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
1DC94E957608D014A3764553992F8457.taxon	biology_ecology	T. turrifex is abundant in open desert habitats of west Texas, the black clay soils of central Texas and is somewhat less abundant in the sandy soils of eastern Texas and western Louisiana. Dense populations occur in southern Texas, particularly in the Rio Grande Valley. When occurring sympatrically in sandy soils with T. septentrionalis, T. turrifex is less abundant, but the reverse pattern occurs in black clay soils where turrifex is usually more common than septentrionalis. The characteristic turretlike nest entrances, which are built from soil particles and plant litter debris during the wetter parts of the year, are a diagnostic character for turrifex in the field. Turrets are absent during winter dormancy and are reduced or absent in summer, particularly after a period of drought. Nests consist of 1 - 5 chambers, which are connected by vertical tunnels. Colonies are monogynous and contain up to 300 workers.	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
1DC94E957608D014A3764553992F8457.taxon	materials_examined	Additional material examined: U. S. A.: Louisiana, Beauregard Parish: De Ridder (WF Buren); Rapides Parish: Alexandria (WF Buren); Vernon Parish: 7 mi E Pickering (UG Mueller); Webster Parish: 3 mi W Sibley (UG Mueller); Oklahoma, Love County: I 35 & Red River, 200 m N (UG Mueller); Texas, Austin County: Rt. 3013 crossing San Bernard River (UG Mueller); Bastrop County: Stengl Biological Station (UG Mueller, C Rabeling); Baylor County: Round Timber (UG Mueller); Blanco County: Rt. 3232, 3 mi N Rt. 290 (UG Mueller), Pedernales State Park (UG Mueller, C Rabeling); Brewster County: 18 mi NE Marathon (OF Francke, JV Moody & TB Hall), 6 mi E Alpine (OF Francke, JV Moody & TB Hall), 6 mi SE Panther Junction (OF Francke, JV Moody & TB Hall); Brooks County: Falfurrias (TFM McGehee); Burnet County: Inks Lake State Park (NA Weber), Cameron County: Brownsville (UG Mueller), Harlingen (WF Buren, BC Stephenson), La Feria (WS Creighton, PT Riherd, RR Snelling), Resaca de Palma State Park (UG Mueller), Santa Rosa (UG Mueller), South Padre Island, Isla Blanca State Park (UG Mueller); Crass County: Atlanta State Park (JV Moody); Colorado County: Columbus (WF Buren); Crockett County: 15 mi S Rankin (OF Francke, JV Moody & TB Hall), Ozona (AC Cole); Crosby County: 10 mi S Crosbytown (OF Francke, JV Moody & TB Hall); Culberson County: Guadalupe Mountains Nat. Park (OF Francke, JV Moody & TB Hall); Denton County: 8 mi W Lewisville (JV Moody), Ray Roberts Lake State Park (UG Mueller); Dickens County: 13.5 mi N Dickens (OF Francke, JV Moody & TB Hall); Dimmit County: 15 mi NW Carrizo Springs (OF Francke, JV Moody & TB Hall); Donley County: 4 mi N Clarendon (OF Francke, JV Moody & TB Hall); Fisher County: 5.2 mi N Rotan (OF Francke, JV Moody & TB Hall); Floyd County: 4.5 mi S Floydada (OF Francke, JV Moody & TB Hall); Franklin County: I- 30 to Mt. Pleasant (UG Mueller); Garza County: 2 mi SW Post (OF Francke, JV Moody & TB Hall); Gillespie County: 10.1 mi N Fredericksburg (Bartell & Beckham); Grayson County: Eisenhower State Park (JV Moody); Hall County: 6 mi SE Turkey (CW O ' Brian); Hardeman County: Copper Breaks State Park (UG Mueller); Haskell County: 13.3 mi NE Haskell (Bartell, Beckham, Cooper, Henderson & Neece); Henderson County: Walnut Creek (WM Wheeler); Hidalgo County: Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park (UG Mueller, C Rabeling), Edinburgh (WL Sterling), Weslaco (WM Buren), Monte Cristo Tract (UG Mueller); Hood County: Granbury (UG Mueller); Howard County: 11 mi NW Big Springs (OF Francke, JV Moody & TB Hall); Irion County: 22 mi N Barnhart (OF Francke, JV Moody & TB Hall); Jeff Davis County: 4 mi S Fort Davis (OF Francke, JV Moody & TB Hall), Davis Mtns. (AC Cole); Kendall County: 3.9 mi SW Boerne (Bartell & Beckham); Kenedy County: 2 mi N Sarita (UG Mueller); Kent County: 5 mi SW Clairemont (JV Moody); Knox County: Rt. 266 & Brazos River (UG Mueller); Lee County: Lake Somerville State Park (UG Mueller); Llano County: Kingsland (UG Mueller); Lubbock County: Lubbock (JV Moody); Maverick County: 11.5 mi SE Eagle Pass (OF Francke, JV Moody & TB Hall); Medina County: Natalia, I- 35 Rest Area (UG Mueller); Midland County: 17 mi S Midland (OF Francke, JV Moody & TB Hall); Montague County: Lake Nacona (UG Mueller); Motley County: 4 mi NW Matador (OF Francke, JV Moody & TB Hall); Nolan County: 18.6 mi S Sweetwater (OF Francke, JV Moody & TB Hall); Palo Pinto County: Oaks Crossing (UG Mueller); Pecos County: Fort Stockton (AC Cole); Refugio County: Refugio, Mission River Park (UG Mueller); Robertson County: 3.1 mi NE Jct. OSR & FM 1940 (SJ Merritt); Salle County: Millet (UG Mueller); Scurry County: 7. mi W Ira (WD Wisdom); Smith County: Tyler State Park (UG Mueller); Starr County: Falcon State Park (UG Mueller); Tom Green County: 15 mi NW San Angelo (OF Francke, JV Moody & TB Hall); Travis County: Austin (MH Long, UG Mueller, C Rabeling, JJ Scott), Bull Creek Park (UG Mueller, C Rabeling), Hamilton Pool Reserve (UG Mueller, C Rabeling); Upshur County: Rhonesboro (UG Mueller); Uvalde County: Uvalde (ACF Hung, UG Mueller), Val Verde County: Del Rio (UG Mueller); Walker County: Huntsville (C Rabeling & UG Mueller); Washington County: Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park (UG Mueller); Webb County: 52.5 mi N Laredo (OF Francke, JV Moody & TB Hall); Willacy County: 0.7 mi S Kenedy County border (UG Mueller); Wise County: 7.5 mi SW Bridgeport (JV Moody); Wood County: 9 mi E Minneola on US 80 (JV Moody); Young County: Fort Belknap (UG Mueller); Zapata County: Falcon State Park (UG Mueller); Zava County: Pryor (UG Mueller); MEXICO: Nuevo Leon, Vallecillo (E Buren); Tamaulipas, near Cuidad Victoria (Flores-Maldonado).	en	Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A., Mueller, U. G. (2007): A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1664: 1-53, URL: http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21361/21361.pdf
