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Ant ID (Myrmecocystus sp.) (Needles, California) (11-21-2016)

myrmecocystus honeypot ants needles california dspdrew ant id

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5 replies to this topic

#1 Offline dspdrew - Posted November 21 2016 - 11:53 PM

dspdrew
  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

1. Location of collection: Needles, California
2. Date of collection: 8-27-2016
3. Habitat of collection: High Desert
4. Length (from head to gaster): 12mm (queen), 5mm (worker)
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: All orange with slightly darker gaster (queen), orange with black gaster (worker)
6. Distinguishing characteristics: 
7. Distinguishing behavior:
8. Nest description:

 

Worker

 

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Queen

 

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#2 Offline dspdrew - Posted November 22 2016 - 12:08 AM

dspdrew
  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

I figured I would make a page for this species in case I figure it out some day. I tried keying these out, but got nowhere. I dug into their nest to see if any alates were present, and found two. I was really surprised to see female alates that almost looked like M. navajo, while their workers look nothing like that species. I thought the queen keyed out to Myrmecocystus kathjuli, but then keying the worker got me nowhere.



#3 Online gcsnelling - Posted November 22 2016 - 3:05 AM

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Wow, fuzzy little critters.



#4 Offline dspdrew - Posted November 25 2016 - 6:25 PM

dspdrew
  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

Question for the experts:
 
I suspect this species is in the Endiodioctes subgenus. The first couplet in the key for queens of this subgenus says:
 

Penultimate segment of maxillary palp more than twice wider in basal third as at apex, the remaining segments very broad; gaster ferruginous . . . . . 2

Penultimate segment of maxillary palp slender, more or less parallel-sided, never more than 1.5 x wider in basal third than at apex, remaining segments slender; gaster brownish or blackish . . . . . 3


 

Would this penultimate segment of the maxillary palp be considered "more than twice wider in basal third as at apex" or "more or less parallel-sided, never more than 1.5 x wider in basal third than at apex"

 

I'm thinking the former.
 
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#5 Online gcsnelling - Posted November 26 2016 - 4:11 AM

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Well no doubt in my mind you have correct subgenus, I would go with first couplet as well.



#6 Offline Nexus - Posted November 26 2016 - 12:34 PM

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Funny how the ocelli of the worker is apparent. It is usually a queen and male caracter.







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