Neivamyrmex rugulosus Borgmeier

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 : 489

Neivamyrmex rugulosus Borgmeier

Figures 14, 45, 60

Neivamyrmex rugulosus Borgmeier , 1953: 49 (w). MEXICO, Jalisco, Zapotlan ) ( AMNH) .

Eciton (Acamatus) schmitti Pergande , 1895: 874. Misidentification

Eciton (Acamatus) sumichrasti Wheeler , 1908: 410. Misidentification

DISTRIBUTION (Map 4)

UNITED STATES: Arizona; MEXICO: Jalisco, Nayarit, Sonora (Watkins, 1982).

SPECIMENS EXAMINED

UNITED STATES, ARIZONA, Cochise Co.: 0.3 mi W Southwest Research Station , 5500 ', Chiricahua Mts. ( LACM, MCZC) ; Cave Creek , Chiricahua Mts. ( LACM, SEMC, USNM, WPMC) ; Southwest Research Station , 5400 ’ ( WPMC) ; 3.5 mi. NW Portal , mesquite foothills, 5450 ', raiding Pheidole desertorum ( GCSC, LACM, RAJC) .

DISCUSSION

This is a poorly known species, which has been collected in the United States only a handful of times. All of our records are from the Chiricahua Mountains in southeastern Arizona where it has been collected above the 5000 - foot level. Although records are few in the United States it is probable that the species is more widespread than currently indicated, however this appears to be a primarily Mexican species that is at the extreme northern limit of its range in the United States. Little is known of the biology of this species, and the only prey records for it are other ant species: Trachymyrmex arizonensis (LaPolla et al., 2002) and Pheidole desertorum (R. A. Johnson, pers. comm.).

LaPolla et al. (2002) mention that a male of N. rugulosus had been collected near Portal , Arizona. That male is in the LACM collections. We are unable to distinguish between this male and those of N. harrisi . Since they note that it was attracted to a head lamp, the association of this male with N. rugulosus appears to be accidental.