Neivamyrmex goyahkla, Snelling, G. C. & Snelling, R. R., 2007

Snelling, G. C. & Snelling, R. R., 2007, New synonymy, new species, new keys to Neivamyrmex army ants of the United States., Advances in ant systematics (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): Homage to E. O. Wilson - 50 years of contributions. (Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 80), pp. 459-550 : 470-471

Neivamyrmex goyahkla , new species

Figures 4, 34, 50, 64, 77, 90

DIAGNOSIS

Worker: Eye spot present; head distinctly longer than broad, sides weakly convex in frontal view and upper margin narrowly rounded onto vertex margin; front of head smooth and shiny between scattered minute punctures; antennal scape 3.5 x longer than broad; mesosomal dorsum smooth and shiny, with widely scattered small punctures; petiole longer than broad in dorsal view, sides approximately parallel; node evenly rounded in profile and dorsum smooth and shiny; subpetiolar tooth small but distinct; postpetiole broader than long, disc smooth and shiny. Queen and male unknown.

DESCRIPTION

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

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

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

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

Gaster smooth and shiny between scattered fine punctures.

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

TYPE DATA

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

ETYMOLOGY

This species is named for Goyahkla, the Bedonkohe Chiricahua Apache war leader more widely known by his Spanish name, Geronimo. It is most easily pronounced “ Goyak lay ”.

DISTRIBUTION (Map 6)

Presently known only from south-central Arizona.

DISCUSSION

In addition to the type series, we have examined a few specimens from Arizona, Cochise Co.: Chiricahua Mountains , 2 August 1954, collected by A. C. Cole, Jr. ( LACM).

This small shiny yellow species is similar to N. leonardi and N. nyensis , but is easily separated from those species by the presence of a small but distinct subpetiolar tooth. It is further distinguished from N. leonardi by the mandibular structure.

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