Neivamyrmex carolinensis (Emery)

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 : 468-469

Neivamyrmex carolinensis (Emery)

Figures 3, 19, 33, 63, 76, 89, 96, 113, 125

Eciton (Acamatus) carolinense Emery , 1894: 184 (w). USA, North Carolina, Belmont ( MCSN) ; syntypes

in MCZC, AMNH; examined. Eciton (Neivamyrmex) carolinense : M. R. Smith, 1942: 564 (w). Neivamyrmex carolinensis : Borgmeier , 1953: 6 (w).

DISTRIBUTION (Map 1)

UNITED STATES; Virginia and North Carolina south to Florida, west to Tennessee and Louisiana.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED

UNITED STATES, ALABAMA, Tuscaloosa Co.: Bryce Lake , University of Alabama ( MCZC) ; Hurricane Creek nr. Peterson ( MCZC) . FLORIDA, Alachua Co.: Gainesville ( UMICH) ; Gainesville , San Felasco Hammock State Preserve , sandhill / xeric Oak Hammock, at base of dead Turkey Oak ( GCSC, LACM) . Lake Co.: Astatula, Jct S. R. 561 & 48, Sand Pine / Rosemary Scrub , at base of dead sand pine ( GCSC, LACM) . Citrus Co.: Withlacoochee State Forest , 1 / 2 mi S. of S. R. 44, in sand next to Pheidole morrissi colony ( GCSC, LACM) . Marion Co.: 3.5 mi E Dunnellon , Pine Oaks Estates , ( CLMC) . Volusia Co.: Orange City , Blus Spring St. Park , ex pitfall trap in Sand Pine / Oak Scrub ( GCSC, LACM) . GEORGIA, Fulton Co.: Atlanta , ex oak stump ( MCZC) . Putnam Co.: Oconee National Forest ( SEMC, WPMC) . Rabun Co.: Clayton , 2000 - 3700 ' ( MCZC) . KENTUCKY, Edmonton Co.: Mammoth Cave Nat. Park , Bruce Hollow , ex long / stump litter ( MCZC) . MISSISSIPPI, Hinds Co.: Taylorsville ( LACM) . Lowndes Co.: Columbus ( CASC) . Monroe Co.: Aberdeen ( CASC, CORN) . Oktibbeha Co.: A & M College ( MINN, PENN) . NORTH CAROLINA: Burk Co.: 4 - XI- 1957 (Scott; MCZC) . SOUTH CAROLINA, Greenville Co.: Greenville ( LACM) . Oconee Co.: Clemson College ( MCZC) . TENNESSEE, Blount Co.: Cades Cove ( LACM) . Knox Co.: University of Tennessee Farm ( LACM) .

DISCUSSION

Neivamyrmex carolinensis is a wide ranging eastern species. Long considered to extend into the central and western United States as far as Arizona, it is now known that the populations west of the Mississippi River belong to a hitherto unrecognized sibling species. That species is described below as N. kiowapache . We are unable to confirm the presence of this species in Nebraska and Ohio (M. R. Smith, 1942) nor have we seen any specimens from Louisiana.

This species is unusual among our species of Neivamyrmex , in that the presence of a distinct eye facet is variable, present in some individuals, absent in others. Generally, a facet is present in larger individuals, but even this is subject to variation. This feature is shared with its sister species, N. kiowapache .

Automontage images of this ant may be viewed at antweb. org