Genus Myrmecocystus (Subfamily Formicinae) - Online Catalog of Ants of North America

Genus Myrmecocystus (Formicinae)

Myrmecocystus Wesmael, 1838: 770. Type species: Myrmecocystus mexicanus Wesmael, by monotypy.
Endiodioctes Snelling, 1976: 25 (as subgenus of Myrmecocystus) . Type species: Myrmecocystus melliger Forel, by original designation. Synonymy: Snelling, 1981: 403.
Eremnocystus Snelling, 1976: 92 (as subgenus of Myrmecocystus) . Type species: Myrmecocystus creightoni Snelling, by original designation. Synonymy: Snelling, 1981: 403.

OVERVIEW. This genus is native to Mexico and western United States and is especially typical of the arid plains and deserts. The ants nest in soil, the nest being surmounted by a small crater, usually in medium-sized colonies of 1,000 to 3,000 workers. Some forms are apparently entirely predaceous or carnivorous while others live on honeydew and nectar obtained from plants or the secretion of galls. They may be diurnal or nocturnal in their activity. Repletes are known to occur in many species. Ants of this genus are commonly called "honey ants" because of the honeylike substance stored in the gasters of the repletes. Fluid stored in repletes is largely for use by adults of the colony with little or none for the larvae. Larval food consists of dead insects brought in by foraging workers (Smith, D.R. 1979: 1445). Owing to the high degree of polymorphism in many forms, these ants are not easily determined to species without a series of workers, especially major ones.
ZOOGEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS. New World.

Photo of Myrmecocystus kennedyi Snelling from CA, Lassen Co.. Courtesy of Ant Web, U. of Calif. Davis

RECOGNITION. These ants are common in the deserts of southwestern USA, northern Mexico, and arid areas of the west. The species that forage during the day typically are dark brown to black whereas the nocturnal foragers have very large eyes and are usually pale yellow to reddish. They can be recognized by their extraordinarily long maxillary palps, a character state unique to this genus. Myrmecocystus can be distinguished from other Nearctic genera in subfamily Formicinae by the following characteristics. Total length 2.2-9 mm. Some species polymorphic. Maxillary palps longer than head length (excluding mandibles); the 3rd and 4th segments each as long or longer than the 2 terminal segments combined. Frontal carinae subparallel. Psammophore usually present (sometimes weakly developed). Ocelli sometimes present.

SIMILAR GENERA. Myrmecocystus most closely resembles the genus Lasius and some Myrmecocystus species have a propodeum with a "Lasius peak". However, Lasius is uncommon in deserts or arid areas, and the two genera are easily separated by their maxillary palps. Myrmecocystus belongs to a group of genera all having similar size and general appearance. The following table is a quick guide to separating them, but the beginning student is cautioned to carefully key out all specimens and then compare them to reliably identified material.

Acanthomyops	Maxillary palp short. Pale red subterranean ants.
Lasius	Propodeum with "Lasius peak." Mandibles with 7 or more teeth.
Myrmecocystus	Maxillary palp extremely long. Ants of the desert or arid areas.
Paratrechina	Dark, coarse, bristle-like hairs (absent in a few subterranean species). Scapes long.
Prenolepis	Mesosoma with distinct hourglass shape when viewed from above. Body smooth and very shiny.

SPECIES IDENTIFICATION. Use Snelling, 1976 and Snelling, 1982b to key to species.
TRIBE. Lasiini.
REVISIONS. Emery, 1893k: 666–667 .— Wheeler, W.M. 1908g: 345–397 .— Wheeler, W.M. 1912e: 172–181 .— Snelling, 1976: 1–163 (also natural history) .
TAXONOMY. Smith, M.R. 1943e: 318–319 (diagnosis of m.) .— Smith, M.R. 1947f: 616, pl. 21. fig. 81 (description w., figure (lateral view) of w.) .— Snelling, 1969b: 616, pl. 21. fig. 81 (description w., figure (lateral view) of w.) .— Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1970b: 651 (larvae) .— Bolton, 1994: figs. 122, 123 (SEM (full face and lateral view) of w.) .—Bolton, 2003: 276.
ALL REFERENCES

Myrmecocystus christineae Snelling.

christineae. Myrmecocystus (Myrmecocystus) christineae Snelling, 1982b: 80, figs. 7–12, 14, 16, 20, 22, 24 (w.q.m.) . [USA, CA, San Bernardino Co.; LACM, AMNH, MCZ, USNM, G.C. Wheeler Collection]

Myrmecocystus colei Snelling.

colei. Myrmecocystus (Eremnocystus) colei Snelling, 1976: 94, figs. 203–211, 255–258, table 6 (w.q.m.) . [USA, CA, Los Angeles Co.; LACM, AMNH, MNHG, USNM]

DISTRIBUTION. Southern CA.
ALL REFERENCES
PHOTOS.

Myrmecocystus creightoni Snelling.

creightoni. Myrmecocystus creightoni Snelling, 1971a: 6, fig. 2 (w.q.m.) . [USA, CA, Los Angeles Co.; LACM, AMNH, MCZ, MNHG, USNM] Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1968a: 213 (larva, misidentified as M. lugubris) .

DISTRIBUTION. Southern CA.
TAXONOMY. Snelling, 1976: 98–101, figs. 212–220, 259–262, table 6 .
MISCELLANEOUS. Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1973e: 120.
ALL REFERENCES
PHOTOS.

Myrmecocystus depilis Forel. Diurnal. Confused with mimicus in the earlier literature (Smith, D.R. 1979: 1446).

depilis. Myrmecocystus melliger var. depilis Forel, 1901d: 135 (w.) . [Mexico, Zacatecas, (Pacheo); MNHG, AMNH] Snelling, 1976: 52 (q.m.) . Raised to species: Snelling, in Hunt & Snelling, 1975: 22.

DISTRIBUTION. Western TX, NM, AZ, southern NV; MEX.
TAXONOMY. Wheeler, W.M. 1908g: 354 .— Wheeler, W.M. 1912e: 173 .— Snelling, 1976: 50–54, figs. 73–82, 158, 170, 182, 190, table 2 .
MISCELLANEOUS. Hölldobler, B. 1981: 310–312 (foraging, territorial defense, tournaments, competition with M. mimicus) .— Cokendolpher & Francke, 1990: 38 (distribution in western TX) .— Rojas-Fernández & Fragoso, 1994: 70–71 (diagnosis of w., habitat) .— Chew, 1995: 75–83 (long term study of colony density) .
ALL REFERENCES
PHOTOS.

Myrmecocystus ewarti Snelling.

ewarti. Myrmecocystus ewarti Snelling, 1971a: 2, fig. 1 (w.q.m.) . [USA, CA, Riverside Co.; LACM, AMNH, MCZ, MNHG, USNM]

DISTRIBUTION. Southern CA.
TAXONOMY. Snelling, 1976: 129 .— Snelling, 1976: 129–132, figs. 290–298, 326, 327, 338, 339 .
MISCELLANEOUS. Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1973e: 120.
ALL REFERENCES
PHOTOS.

Myrmecocystus flaviceps Wheeler.

flaviceps. Myrmecocystus yuma var. flaviceps Wheeler, W.M. 1912e: 177 (w.) . [USA, AZ, Yuma Co.; AMNH, LACM, MCZ] Snelling, 1976: 84 (q.m.) . Raised to species: Creighton, 1950a: 443.

DISTRIBUTION. UT, AZ, southern NV, southern CA; Mexico.
TAXONOMY. Snelling, 1976: 82–92, figs. 146–154, 166, 178, 201, 202, table 5 .
MISCELLANEOUS. Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1973e: 121–122.
ALL REFERENCES
PHOTOS.

Myrmecocystus hammettensis Cole.

hammettensis. Myrmecocystus hammettensis Cole, A.C. 1938b: 678 (w.q.m.) . [USA, ID, Elmore Co.; LACM, AMNH, MCZ, USNM]

DISTRIBUTION. ID, NV, east central CA.
TAXONOMY. Snelling, 1976: 101–104, figs. 221–229, 263–266, table 6 .
ALL REFERENCES
PHOTOS.

Myrmecocystus kathjuli Snelling.

kathjuli. Myrmecocystus (Endiodioctes) kathjuli Snelling, 1976: 59, figs. 92–99, 160, 172, 185, 193 (w.q.m.) . [USA, CA, Los Angeles Co.; LACM, AMNH, MCZ, USNM]

DISTRIBUTION. Southern CA.
ALL REFERENCES
PHOTOS.

Myrmecocystus kennedyi Snelling.

kennedyi. Myrmecocystus kennedyi Snelling, 1969b: 6 (w.q.m.) . [USA, ID, Elmore Co.; LACM, AMNH, MCZ, USNM] First available use of the unavailable name Myrmecocystus melliger subsp. semirufus var. kennedyi Cole, 1936.
kennedyi. Myrmecocystus melliger subsp. semirufus var. kennedyi Cole, A.C. 1936b: 119 . Unavailable name. Synonymy: Bolton, 1995b: 275.

DISTRIBUTION. Southern ID, southwestern UT, AZ, southeastern OR, NV, CA; MEX.
NOMENCLATURE. This species was called M. semirufus in the literature prior to Snelling, 1969.
TAXONOMY. Wheeler, W.M. 1908g: 355, 368–369 (as semirufus, natural history) .— Wheeler, W.M. 1912e: 174, 176 (as semirufus, natural history) .— Cole, A.C. 1938c: 371, 372 .— Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1968a: 213 (larva, as semirufus) .— Snelling, 1969b: 6 .— Snelling, 1976: 62–67, figs. 100–108, 173, 184, 192, table 3 .
MISCELLANEOUS. Mallis, 1941: 20 (semirufus) .— Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1973e: 122.— Bernstein, R.A. 1979: table 2 (temperature range for foraging, misspelled kennedei) .
ALL REFERENCES
PHOTOS.

Myrmecocystus koso Snelling.

koso. Myrmecocystus (Endiodioctes) koso Snelling, 1976: 74, figs. 127–135, 164, 176, 199, 200 (w.q.m.) . [USA, CA, Inyo Co.; LACM, AMNH, MCZ, USNM]

DISTRIBUTION. Southern NV, southern CA.
ALL REFERENCES
PHOTOS.

Myrmecocystus lugubris Wheeler.

lugubris. Myrmecocystus lugubris Wheeler, W.M. 1909f: 98 (w.) . [USA, CA, San Bernardino Co.; AMNH, MCZ] Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1968a: 213, fig. 10 (l.) .

DISTRIBUTION. Southern NV, southern CA.
TAXONOMY. Wheeler, W.M. 1912e: 174, 176 .— Creighton, 1956: 1.— Snelling, 1976: 104–106, figs. 230–233 .
MISCELLANEOUS. Cole, A.C. 1966b: 21 .
PHOTOS.

Myrmecocystus melliger Forel. Used as food and medicine by Indians (Smith, D.R. 1979: 1446).

melliger. Myrmecocystus melliger Forel, 1886h: 201 (w.) . [Mexico, (Mexico City); MNHG, LACM, AMNH] Wheeler, W.M. 1912e: 174 (q.m.) .
comatus. Myrmecocystus melliger subsp. mendax var. comatus Wheeler, W.M. 1908g: 352 . Unavailable name. [USA, TX, (Ft. Davis)] Synonymy: Bolton, 1995b: 274.
comatus. Myrmecocystus comatus Creighton, 1950a: 442 (w.q.m.) . [USA, TX, (Ft. Davis)] First available use of the unavailable name Myrmecocystus melliger subsp. mendax var. comatus Wheeler, 1908. Synonymy: Snelling, 1969b: 4 .

DISTRIBUTION. Western TX; Mexico.
TAXONOMY. Wheeler, W.M. 1908g: 348–349, fig. 2 (description w., distribution) .— Wheeler, W.M. 1912e: 173, 175 .— Snelling, 1969b: 4 .— Snelling, 1976: 31–35, figs. 34–42, table 1 .
MISCELLANEOUS. Creighton & Crandall, 1954: 2–6.— Van Pelt, 1983: table 1 (habitat and frequency in the Chisos Mts. Texas) .— Cokendolpher & Francke, 1990: 38–39 (distribution in western TX) .
ALL REFERENCES
PHOTOS.

Myrmecocystus mendax Wheeler.

mendax. Myrmecocystus melliger subsp. mendax Wheeler, W.M. 1908g: 351, fig. 4 (w.q.m.) . [USA, CO, (Mt. Washington nr Colorado Springs); AMNH, LACM, MCZ] Raised to species: Creighton, 1950a: 445.
orbiceps. Myrmecocystus melliger subsp. orbiceps Wheeler, W.M. 1908g: 349, fig. 3 (w.q.) . [USA] Junior synonym of placodops: Snelling, 1969b: 6. Note that the original material is "w.q." not "w.q.m." as in Bolton, 1995b: 275. Synonymy: Snelling, 1976: 35 .

DISTRIBUTION. TX, CO, NM, AZ, southern NV, southern CA; Mexico.
TAXONOMY. Wheeler, W.M. 1912e: 173 .— Cole, A.C. 1954g: 284.— Snelling, 1969b: 2 .— Snelling, 1976: 35–41, figs. 43–51, 155, 167, 179, 187, table 1 .
MISCELLANEOUS. Wheeler, W.M. 1910b: 376.— Cole, A.C. 1942: 386 .— Gregg, R.E. 1963: 643–645, 645–648 (misident. as comatus, p. 643-645) .— MacKay, Lowrie, et. al. 1988: 120 (occurrence in NM) .— Cokendolpher & Francke, 1990: 39 (distribution in western TX) .
ALL REFERENCES
PHOTOS.

Myrmecocystus mexicanus Wesmael. This species is a nocturnal forager (Bernstein, R.A. 1979. J. Anim. Ecol. 48: table 2). Nests are sometimes located close to nests of Pogonomyrmex occidentalis perhaps because M. mexicanus scavenges dead P. occidentalis workers as a primary source of protein in their diet (Cole, B.J., Haight & Wiernasz, 2001. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 94: 59-63 ).

mexicanus. Myrmecocystus mexicanus Wesmael, 1838: 770 (w.) . [Mexico, Chihuahua; LACM, AMNH, MCZ, USNM] Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1968a: 213 (l.) . Junior synonym of melliger: Forel, 1886h: 201; Mayr, 1886d: 424. Revived from synonymy: Wheeler, W.M. 1908g: 356.
hortusdeorum. Myrmecocystus melliger var. hortusdeorum McCook, 1881d: 69, pl. 7, figs. 37–39, 47, 48, 50; pl. 10, figs. 72, 73, 75–81 (w.q.m.) . [USA] Forel, 1886h: 202 (q.m.) . Raised to species: Forel, 1886h: 202. Variety / subspecies of mexicanus: Emery, 1893k: 666; Creighton, 1950a: 446. Synonymy: Snelling, 1976: 35 .

DISTRIBUTION. Southwestern USA; Mexico.
TAXONOMY. Forel, 1886h: 202.— Emery, 1893k: 666 .— Wheeler, W.M. 1908g: 356–360 (descriptino w., distribution) .— Wheeler, W.M. 1912e: 173, 178 .— Snelling, 1976: 119–124, figs. 272, 273, 278–281, 316, 317, 328, 329, table 7 .
MISCELLANEOUS. McCook, 1881b: 17–24.— McCook, 1881c: 25–56.— McCook, 1881d: 57–77.— McCook, 1882: 17–74.— Mallis, 1941: 81.— Gregg, R.E. 1963: 648–651 .— Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1973e: 122–124.— Bernstein, R.A. 1979: table 2 (temperature range for foraging) .—Conway, 1980: 81–93.— MacKay, Lowrie, et. al. 1988: 120 (occurrence in NM) .— Cokendolpher & Francke, 1990: 39 (distribution in western TX) .— Chew, 1995: 75–83 (long term study of colony density) .— Cole, B.J., Haight & Wiernasz, 2001: 59–63 (nests of M. mexicanus are located close to nests of Pogonomyrmex occidentalis, this could be because M. mexicanus scavenges dead P. occidentalis workers as a primary source of protein in their diet) .
ALL REFERENCES
PHOTOS.

Myrmecocystus mimicus Wheeler. This species is a diurnal forager., and termites are a major food source. Both incipient and mature colonies compete by brood raiding in which the workers and brood of losing colonies are incorporated into winning colonies. Incipient colonies are almost always started by multiple queens (pleometrosis) which apparently confers an advantage in defending against brood raids and in conducting raids on other incipient nests. As the colony grows and mature, the supernumeray queens are eliminated by the workers leaving a monogynous mature colony (Bartz & Hölldobler, 1982).

mimicus. Myrmecocystus melliger subsp. mimicus Wheeler, W.M. 1908g: 353 (w.q.m.) . [USA, NM, Bernalillo Co.; AMNH, LACM, MCZ, USNM] Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1968a: 213 (l.) . Raised to species: Creighton, 1950a: 446.
jesuita. Myrmecocystus melliger subsp. mimicus var. jesuita Wheeler, W.M. 1908g: 354 (w.) . Unavailable name. [USA, TX, Jeff Davis Co.] Synonymy: Creighton, 1950a: 446 ; Snelling, 1976: 54 .
lomaensis. Myrmecocystus melliger subsp. lomaensis Wheeler, W.M. 1912e: 175 (w.q. ) . Synonymy: Creighton, 1950a: 446 ; Snelling, 1976: 54 .

DISTRIBUTION. Southwestern KS, western OK, western TX, NM, AZ, CA; Mexico.
TAXONOMY. Creighton, 1950a: 446 .— Snelling, 1976: 54–59, figs. 83–91, 159, 179, 183, 191, table 3 .
MISCELLANEOUS. Cole, A.C. 1934b: 401–402.— Mallis, 1941: 80 (distribution in CA) .— Cole, A.C. 1966b: 22 (Nev. Test Site) .— Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1973e: 124–125.—Hölldobler, B., 1976b: 192–194.— Hölldobler, B. & Lumsden, 1980: 733, 738–739 (quantitative modelling of spatio-temporal territory) .— Hölldobler, B. 1981: 301–314 (termiate as a food source, group recruitment, tournaments, spatio-temporal terrritory) .— Bartz & Hölldobler, 1982: 137–147 (colony founding) .— Cokendolpher & Francke, 1990: 39–40 (distribution in western TX) .— Hölldobler, B. & Wilson, 1990: 217–220 (colony founding by multiple queens) .— Schooley & Bestelmeyer, 2000: 439–444 (movement patterns of recently mated queens looking for nest sites) .
ALL REFERENCES
PHOTOS.

Myrmecocystus navajo Wheeler. Nocturnal.

navajo. Myrmecocystus mexicanus subsp. navajo Wheeler, W.M. 1908g: 360, fig. 11 (w.q.) . [USA, NM, Bernalillo Co.; AMNH, LACM, MCZ] Snelling, 1976: 126 (m.) . Raised to species: Creighton, 1950a: 449.

DISTRIBUTION. CO, western TX, NM, UT, AZ, southern NV, southern CA.
TAXONOMY. Wheeler, W.M. 1908g: 360, fig 11 (description w.q.) .— Wheeler, W.M. 1912e: 173, 179 .— Snelling, 1976: 124–129, figs. 282–289, 322, 323, 334, 335, table 8 .
MISCELLANEOUS. Cole, A.C. 1942: 386 .— Gregg, R.E. 1963: 651–653 .— Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1973e: 125.— MacKay, Lowrie, et. al. 1988: 120 (occurrence in NM) .— Cokendolpher & Francke, 1990: 40 (distribution in western TX) .
ALL REFERENCES
PHOTOS.

Myrmecocystus placodops Forel.

placodops. Myrmecocystus melliger var. placodops Forel, 1908c: 70 (w.) . [Mexico; MNHG] Snelling, 1976: 42 (q.m.) . Raised to species: Snelling, 1969b: 6.

TAXONOMY. Wheeler, W.M. 1912e: 173 .— Snelling, 1969b: 6 .— Snelling, 1976: 41–46, figs. 52–60, 156, 168, 180, 188, table 2 .— Rojas-Fernández & Fragoso, 1994: 71 (diagnosis of w., habitat) .
MISCELLANEOUS. MacKay, Lowrie, et. al. 1988: 120 (occurrence in NM) .— Cokendolpher & Francke, 1990: 40 (distribution in western TX) .
ALL REFERENCES
PHOTOS.

Myrmecocystus pyramicus Smith.

pyramicus. Myrmecocystus pyramicus Smith, M.R. 1951d: 91, figs. 1–3 (w.) . [USA, NV, Washoe Co.; USNM, AMNH, LACM, MCZ] Cole, A.C. 1958b: 129 (q.m.) .

DISTRIBUTION. ID, southeastern OR, NV.
TAXONOMY. Snelling, 1976: 132–135, figs. 299–307, 324, 325, 336, 337, table 8 .
ALL REFERENCES
PHOTOS.

Myrmecocystus romainei Snelling.

romainei. Myrmecocystus romainei Snelling, in Hunt & Snelling, 1975: 22 (w.) . [USA, AZ, Coconino Co.; LACM, AMNH, MCZ, USNM] First available use of the unavailable name Myrmecocystus melliger subsp. semirufus var. romainei Cole, 1936.
romainei. Myrmecocystus melliger subsp. semirufus var. romainei Cole, A.C. 1936b: 120 (w.) . Unavailable name. [USA, AZ, Coconino Co.; LACM, AMNH, MCZ, USNM] Synonymy: Bolton, 1995b: 275.

DISTRIBUTION. Western KS, western OK, western TX, CO, NM, UT, AZ, NV; Mexico.
TAXONOMY. Snelling, 1976: 78–82, figs. 136–145, 165, 177,, 197, 198, talbe 4 .
MISCELLANEOUS. Cole, A.C. 1954g: 285 (as semirufa, in part) .— Gregg, R.E. 1963: 653–655 (as semirufus, in part) .— Cokendolpher & Francke, 1990: 3408 (distribution in western TX) .
ALL REFERENCES
PHOTOS.

Myrmecocystus semirufus Emery.

semirufus. Myrmecocystus melliger var. semirufus Emery, 1893k: 667 (w.m.) . [USA, CO, Douglas Co.; Museo Civico, Genoa, Italy, AMNH, USNM] Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1968a: 213 (l.) . Subspecies of melliger : Wheeler, W.M. 1908g: 335. Raised to species: Creighton, 1950a: 449.
semirufa. Myrmecocystus semirufa Creighton, 1950a: 499 . Incorrect subsequent spelling of Myrmecocystus semirufus Emery.

DISTRIBUTION. Southern CA; Mexico.
TAXONOMY. Wheeler, W.M. 1908g: 355 (description w., distribution) .— Snelling, 1969b: 4–6 (The species previously considered to be M. semirufus by Wheeler and subsequent authors must now be known as M. kennedyi Cole.) .— Snelling, 1976: 46–50, figs. 61–69, 157, 169, 181, 189, table 2 .
MISCELLANEOUS. Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1973e: 125–126 (misident. as placodops Forel) .
ALL REFERENCES
PHOTOS.

Myrmecocystus snellingi Bolton.

snellingi. Myrmecocystus snellingi Bolton, 1995b: 275. [USA, NV, Churchill Co.; LACM, AMNH, MCZ, USNM, G.C. Wheeler Collection] Replacement name for junior primary homonym Myrmecocystus arenarius Snelling, 1982.
arenarius. Myrmecocystus (Eremnocystus) arenarius Snelling, 1982b: 71, figs. 1–6, 13, 15, 19, 21, 23 (w.q.m.) . [USA, NV, Churchill Co.; LACM, AMNH, MCZ, USNM, G.C. Wheeler Collection] Junior primary homonym of Myrmecocystus arenarius Finzi, 1940.

Myrmecocystus tenuinodis Snelling.

tenuinodis. Myrmecocystus (Eremnocystus) tenuinodis Snelling, 1976: 107, figs. 241–247, table 6 (w.q.) . [USA, CA, Riverside Co.; LACM, AMNH, MCZ, USNM]

DISTRIBUTION. Southern NV, southwestern AZ, southern CA; Mexico.
ALL REFERENCES
PHOTOS.

Myrmecocystus testaceus Emery.

testaceus. Myrmecocystus melliger var. testaceus Emery, 1893k: 667 (w.) . [USA, CA, Riverside Co.; USNM, AMNH] Snelling, 1976: 136 (q.m.) . Junior synonym of semirufus: Creighton, 1950a: 449. Revived from synonymy and raised to species: Snelling, 1969b: 6.
mojave. Myrmecocystus mexicanus subsp. mojave Wheeler, W.M. 1908g: 360 (w.) . [USA, NM, Bernalillo Co.] Wheeler, W.M. 1912e: 180 (q.m.) . Raised to species: Creighton, 1950a: 448; Smith, M.R. 1951c: 856. Synonymy: Snelling, 1969b: 6 .
idahoensis. Myrmecocystus mexicanus subsp. idahoensis Cole, A.C. 1936b: 118 (w.q.m.) . [USA, ID, Twin Falls Co.] Junior synonym of mojave: Creighton, 1950a: 448. Revived from synonymy, and raised to species: Smith, M.R. 1951c: 854. Synonymy: Snelling, 1976: 135 .

DISTRIBUTION. ID, WA, OR, CA, UT, NV; Mexico.
TAXONOMY. Wheeler, W.M. 1908g: 355–356 (description w., distribution) .— Wheeler, W.M. 1912e: 173, 179–181 .— Snelling, 1976: 135–140, figs. 308–315, 320, 321, 332, 333, table 9 .
MISCELLANEOUS. Wheeler, W.M. 1910b: 349.— Leonard, 1911: 91–92.— Cole, A.C. 1934b: 403.— Mallis, 1941: 81.— Cole, A.C. 1966b: 22 (Nev. Test Site) .— Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1973e: 126–127.
ALL REFERENCES
PHOTOS.

Myrmecocystus wheeleri Snelling.

wheeleri. Myrmecocystus wheeleri Snelling, 1971a: 11, fig. 3 (w.q.m.) . [USA, CA, Los Angeles Co.; LACM, AMNH, MCZ, MNHG, USNM]

DISTRIBUTION. Southern CA.
TAXONOMY. Snelling, 1976: 70–74, figs. 117–126, 163, 175, 195, 196, table 4 .
MISCELLANEOUS. Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1973e: 127.
ALL REFERENCES
PHOTOS.

Myrmecocystus yuma Wheeler.

yuma. Myrmecocystus yuma Wheeler, W.M. 1912e: 176 (w.) . [USA, AZ, Yuma Co.; AMNH, LACM, MCZ] Snelling, 1976: 110 (q.) . Junior synonym of lugubris: Creighton, 1956: 1. Revived from synonymy: Snelling, in Hunt & Snelling, 1975: 23.

DISTRIBUTION. Western AZ, southern NV, southern CA; Mexico.
TAXONOMY. Snelling, 1976: 110–114, figs. 248–254 .
MISCELLANEOUS. Creighton, 1956: 1–4.
ALL REFERENCES
PHOTOS.

Genus Myrmecocystus
URL: http://www.cs.unc.edu/~hedlund/playpen/dev/ants/catalog/
Last updated: Wed May 23 07:42:07 EDT 2007
Copyright 2006, Kye S. Hedlund, University of North Carolina, hedlund@cs.unc.edu