Neivamyrmex melshaemeri (Haldemann, 1852) ^HNS

Figures 115, 128, 139

Labidus melshaemeri Haldemann ^HNS, 1852: 368; pl. 9 fig. 7 - 9 (m). U. S. A, Texas, Fort Gates (type lost).

Eciton (Labidus) melshaemeri ^HNS: Mayr, 1886 c: 442. Emery, 1895: 261 (m). Emery, 1896: 33.

Eciton (Acamatus) melshaemeri ^HNS: Emery, 1900: 516, 525 (m). Emery, 1910: 26.

Eciton melsheimeri ^HNS: Forel, 1899: 28 (m).

Eciton (Acamatus) melshaemeri ^HNS: Wheeler, 1908: 418 (m).

Eciton (Neivamyrmex) melshaemeri ^HNS: M. R. Smith, 1942: 576 (m). M. R. Smith, 1951: 780. Creighton, 1950: 73.

Neivamyrmex ^HNS melsheimeri: Borgmeier, 1955: 647 - 649 (m). Watkins, 1972: 351 (m). Watkins, 1976: 23 (m); Watkins, 1982: 213 (m).

DISTRIBUTION (Map 7)

UNITED STATES: Louisiana and Oklahoma west to Texas; MEXICO: Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosi south to Chiapas and Yucatan; SOUTH AMERICA.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED

UNITED STATES, LOUISIANA, Beauregard Parish: DeRidder (LACM) . TEXAS, Bexar Co.: San Antonio (CASC) . Brazos Co.: College Station (TAMU, WPMC) ; 16 km W Bryan (WPMC) . Cameron Co.: nr. Southmost Sabal Palm Grove Sanctuary (TAMU, WPMC) ; Brownsville (LACM, GCSC, UCBC, USNM) . Dimmit Co.: Winter Haven (MINN) . Grayson Co., Sherman (TAMU) . Liberty Co.: Devers (CUIC) . Matagorda Co.: Blessing (TAMU) . Morris Co.: Dangerfield (TAMU) . Tarrant Co.: Fort Worth (LACM) . Travis Co.: Austin (TAMU) . Val Verde Co.: Juno (CUIC) . Victoria Co.: Victoria (CUIC) . Wharton Co.: Wharton (CUIC, LACM) .

MEXICO, CHIAPAS: 12 mi N. Ocozocoautla (TAMU) . TAMAULIPAS: Ciudad Victoria (WPMC) ; Ciudad Victoria, Canon La Libertad (TAMU) .

DISCUSSION

This common small species can be confused with no other United States species. The long flexuous hairs on the body of this ant readily distinguish it from our other Neivamyrmex ^HNS. Throughout its range from the southern United States to South America this ant is morphologically quite uniform.