Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Provisional Checklist of the Formicidae (ants)
The primary source for the information presented below is the 3 part series "The Ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of western Texas" published by Texas Tech University. These volumes show the distributions of ant species found in west Texas on maps which include the county boundaries . It is assumed that symbols shown in the upper left hand corner of Culberson County and the upper right hand corner of Hudspeth County on these maps were based on collections made within the Park boundaries. The Park is specifically mentioned as a collection site in the acknowledgements of Part I. In a couple of cases in part II, The Bowl is specifically indicated as the collection site so the eastern extent of the Park as indicated on the maps can be estimated. On the other hand, in the case of Pogonomyrmex maricopa, the placement of the symbols on the map in Part I suggests that this ant may have only been found outside the Park whereas from other evidence Moody (1979) we know that it present. Hence, there may be more uncertainty in the positions on the maps, at least in Part I, than one might expect. It should be pointed out that the maps were made long before computer-drawn maps were common, and this may indicate some inconsistency in the placement of the marks by the draftspeople involved in their reproduction.
Because of the assumption above, and the fact that some species could have come from collecting done nearby and not actually within the Park boundaries, this list must be regarded as provisonal until the original collection records can be examined. The comments below indicate if specific reference is made in the text to collection locations in the Park.
Myrmica emeryana Forel
These nests were found under rocks in clay soil around 2400 m in the Park (Moody and Francke 1982).
Cokendolpher (1990) notes that this identification is incorrect - it is actually an undescribed species.
M. striolagaster Cole
These nests were found under rocks in loamy soil at 1800 and 1950m in the Park (Moody and Francke 1982).
Pogonomyrmex barbatus (F. Smith)
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Moody and Francke (1982).
The nests were primarily located in exposed situations.
P. desertorum Wheeler
Inclusion on the list is uncertain based on the maps of Moody and Francke (1982).
P. imberbiculus Wheeler
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Moody and Francke (1982).
P. maricopa Wheeler
short discussion of West Dog Canyon populations in Foster and Ralston (1976a, 1976b)
It is unclear that any of the symbols on the maps of Moody and Francke (1982) fall within the Park boundaries. However, this species is present in the Park based on Moody and Foster (1979). For some reason, this earlier paper is not referenced by Moody and Francke.
P. occidentalis (Cresson)
This species was collected from areas above 1500 m. in the Park (Moody and Francke 1982).
P. rugosus Emery
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Moody and Francke (1982).
It was found at Manzanita Spring by Walsh and Worthington (1996).
P. texanus Francke and Merickel
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Moody and Francke (1982).
Aphaenogaster cockerelli Andre
Inclusion on the list is uncertain based on the maps of Moody and Francke (1982).
A. texana (Emery)
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Moody and Francke (1982).
Pheidole ceres Wheeler
This species was collected from an areas around 2350 m. in the Park (Moody and Francke 1982).
P. dentata Mayr
Inclusion on the list is uncertain based on the maps of Moody and Francke (1982).
P. desertorum Wheeler
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Moody and Francke (1982).
It was found at Manzanita Spring by Walsh and Worthington (1996).
P. hyatti hyatti Emery
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Moody and Francke (1982).
P. pilifera artemisia Cole
Inclusion on the list is uncertain based on the maps of Moody and Francke (1982).
P. sciara Cole
Inclusion on the list is uncertain based on the maps of Moody and Francke (1982).
Crematogaster emeryana Creighton
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Moody and Francke (1982).
C. isolata Buren
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Moody and Francke (1982).
This species was collected at elevations from 1425 to 2399 m.
One of the series collected was from a nest in an oak gall.
C. punctulata Emery
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Moody and Francke (1982).
Monomorium minimum (Buckley)
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Moody and Francke (1982).
This species is a well-known house pest because it can nest in walls and woodwork.
It was found at Manzanita Spring by Walsh and Worthington (1996).
Solenopsis aurea Wheeler
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Moody, Francke and Merickel (1981).
The map is reproduced in Moody and Francke (1982).
S. (Diplorhoptrum) molesta (Say)
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Moody and Francke (1982).
This species is a well-known house pest.
S. (Diplorhoptrum) salina Wheeler
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Moody and Francke (1982).
S. (Diplorhoptrum) tennesseensis Smith
Moody and Francke (1982) only found this ant at one location - in the Park in sandy loam soil about 1400 m. elevation.
S. (Diplorhoptrum) xyloni McCook
Inclusion on the list is uncertain based on the maps of Moody, Francke and Merickel (1981).
The map is reproduced in Moody and Francke (1982).
Leptothorax rugatulus brunnescens Wheeler
This ant was found at two locations (elevaions 1900m and 2400 m. in clay soils) in the Park (Moody and Francke 1982).
Trachymyrmex turrifex turrifex (Wheeler)
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Moody and Francke (1982).
Neivamyrmex macropterus Borgmeier
Several adult males were collected in August at an UV light trap around 1650 meters elevation in the Park (Cokendolpher and Francke 1990).
N. minor (Cresson)
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Cokendolpher and Francke (1990).
Collected at light traps above 1400 meters.
N. swainsonii (Shuckard)
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Cokendolpher and Francke (1990).
Collected at light traps at elevations ranging from 1000 - 2000 meters.
Amblyopone pallipes (Haldeman)
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Cokendolpher and Francke (1990).
Hypoponera opacior (Forel)
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Cokendolpher and Francke (1990).
Most common 1000 - 1100 meters and above 1700 meters.
Odontomachus clarus Roger
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Cokendolpher and Francke (1990).
More abundant than expected above 1500 meters with a preference for more mesic locations.
Liometopum apiculatum (Mayr)
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Cokendolpher and Francke (1990).
Most of the collection localities were above 1600 meters.
There is a record of a myrmecophile from nests in Culberson County.
This species was found at Manzanita Spring by Walsh and Worthington (1996).
Tapinoma sessile (Say) - Odorous House Ant
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Cokendolpher and Francke (1990).
This ant can infest houses. It tends honeydew excreting insects such as aphids.
Forelius foetidus (Buckley)
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Cokendolpher and Francke (1990).
This species is widespread.
F. pruinosus (Roger)
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Cokendolpher and Francke (1990).
Conomyrma bicolor (Wheeler)
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Cokendolpher and Francke (1990).
I assume that Dormyrmex bicolor (Wheeler) reported from Manzanita Spring by Walsh and Worthington (1996) is the same species.
C. flava (McCook)
Inclusion on the list is uncertain based on the maps of Cokendolpher and Francke (1990).
C. insana (Buckley)
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Cokendolpher and Francke (1990).
Camponotus americanus Mayr
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Cokendolpher and Francke (1990).
Some workers were collected above 1600 meters.
C. festinatus (Buckley) - Texas Carpenter Ant (Peterson Guide)
Inclusion on the list is uncertain based on the maps of Cokendolpher and Francke (1990).
This species seems to prefer lower elevations than in the Park.
C. sansabeanus (Buckley)
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Cokendolpher and Francke (1990).
About one third of the sites found were at elevations above 1600 meters.
C. (Myrmaphaenus) ulcerosus Wheeler
This species was not reported by Cokendolpher and Francke (1990).
It was found at Manzanita Spring by Walsh and Worthington (1996)
C. vicinus Mayr
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Cokendolpher and Francke (1990).
This species tends sap-sucking insects such as aphids.
Acanthomyops arizonicus (Wheeler)
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Cokendolpher and Francke (1990).
A series was collected in August from under a rock on level ground in clay soil from The Bowl elevation about 2400 meters.
A. latipes (Walsh)
Specimens were collected in The Bowl elevation about 2400 meters (Cokendolpher and Francke 1990)
Paratrechina vividula (Nylander)
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Cokendolpher and Francke (1990).
Prenolepis imparis (Say) - Honey Ant (Peterson Guide)
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Cokendolpher and Francke (1990).
This species was collected in the Guadalupe Mountains in Culberson but the Park is not specifically mentioned.
Myrmecocystus mexicanus Wesmael
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Cokendolpher and Francke (1990).
This was taken above 1600 meters. Many of the nests had crater-like tumuli.
M. depilis Forel
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Cokendolpher and Francke (1990).
M. melliger Forel
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Cokendolpher and Francke (1990).
This ant is reported to live in oak-juniper and pinyon-juniper woodlands in semiarid mountain locations.
Formica perpilosa Wheeler
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Cokendolpher and Francke (1990).
Mounds ranged from a few centimeters in height and diameter to on meter in diameter an 18 centimeters high. Nests are usually crater-like and collection elevation ranged up to 1600 meters.
F. nitidiventris Emery
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Cokendolpher and Francke (1990).
Two nests were found in Culberson above 2300 meters in Ponderosa pine, juniper and grass. From the elevation given, this species must have been collected in the Park.
F. gnava Buckley
Inclusion on the list is based on the maps of Cokendolpher and Francke (1990).
Some collections were made above 1600 meters.
References
Cokendolpher, J.C. and Francke, O.F. 1990
The Ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of western Texas. Part II; Subfamilies Ecitoninae, Ponerinae, Pseudomyrmecinae,
Dolichoderinae and Formicinae
Sp. Pub. The Museum of Texas Tech University, 30:1-76
Cokendolpher, J.C. 1990
The Ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of western Texas. Part III; Additions and Corrections,
Sp. Pub. The Museum of Texas Tech University, 31:1-19
Foster, D.E. and Ralston, D.D. (Texas Tech University)
(1976a) Annual Report on Survey of Insects (handwritten date 1977)
1976b Final Report on Survey of Insects
Location: Park Library Box 66A VF1 (includes 2 copies of final report)
Moody, J.V. and Foster, D.E. 1979
Notes on the Bionomics and Nest Structure of Pogonomyrmex maricopa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
in H.H. Genoways and R.J. Baker (eds.),
Biological Investigations in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Symposium at Texas Tech University, Lubbock Texas, April 4-5,1975
National Parks Service Proceedings and Transactions ser. no. 4.
Moody, J.V. and Francke, O.F. 1982
The Ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of Western Texas. Part 1; Subfamily Myrmicinae
Graduate Studies Texas Tech University, 27:1-80
Moody, J.V., Francke, O.F. and Merickel, F.W. 1981
The Distribution of Fire Ants, Solenopsis (Solenopsis) in Western Texas (Hymenoptera:Formicidae)
Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society 54(3):469-480
Walsh, E. and Worthington, R. 1996
Biotic Assessment of Manzanita Spring - internal report
Museum Accession Number GUMO-00248
Links
Note: This is a personal web site and is not affiliated with the National Park Service or Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Contact information for the author, Ron Lyons, is accessible through the Index Page referenced below. Thank you.