3. Species group of claviger (= Acanthomyops)

(Figs 8G, 9G)

Constituent species (16): arizonicus Wheeler [e], bureni (Wing) [e], californicus [e], claviger * (Roger) [e], colei (Wing) [e], coloradensis Wheeler [e], creightoni (Wing) [e], interjectus [e], latipes [e], mexicanus Wheeler [e], murphyi Forel [e], occidentalis Wheeler [], plumopilosus Buren [e], pogonogynus Buren [e], pubescens Buren [e], subglaber Emery [e].

Distribution: Nearctic.

Identification: Unique among Lasius in having reduced palpomere counts, ranging from 3,4, 4,4, to 5,4. Offset basal mandibular teeth are present (variable among flavus clade groups). Eyes smaller than those of L. pallitarsis . Scapes and mesosoma, not elongate as in L. atopus . See Wing (1968a) for species-level identification.