HYM. RES. J. Vol. 18(2), 2009,pp. 192-204 Review of Acanthophotopsis Schuster (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) David A. Tanner, Nicole F. Boehme and James P. Pitts* Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA — Abstract. Acanthophotopsis snellingi Tanner and Pitts, sp. nov., is described based on males collected from Chihuahua and Fresnillo, Mexico, which raises the number of species of Acanthophotopsis to six. Acanthophotopsis snellingi differs from other species of Acanthophotopsis by havingthefollowinguniquecombinationofcharacters:theheadiselongate,withthelateralmargin parallelbehindtheeyesand convergingposteriorly;thebasalmarginoftheclypeuslacksamedian longitudinalcarinaandcentraltubercle;themandibleistridentate;andthefirstflagellarsegmentis 1.5-2X long as wide. We also report that A. falciformis furcisterna is a junior synonym of A. falciformisfalciformis. An illustrated key is given for the species ofAcanthophotopsis. — Key words. Nocturnal, Sphaeropthalminae, velvet ant, Nearctic Deserts Acanthophotopsis Schuster (Hymenop- pale white setae throughout the body. At tera: MutilHdae), which belongs to the first glance they look like many other subfamily Sphaeropthalminae (Brothers nocturnal mutillid genera. This genus, 1975; Schuster 1958), is a poorly under- however, can be easily distinguished from stood genus ofnocturnal velvet ants that is other Nearctic sphaeropthalmines by the endemic to southw^estern North America presences of large mesosternal processes and know^n only from males. The natural that are conical apically and are directed history of many Sphaeropthalminae, in- slightly posteriorly, and by a swollen cluding Acanthophotopsis, is poorly known. middle tibia with only a single tibial spur. It is assumed that, similar to other Nearctic Species of this genus are rare in collec- Sphaeropthalminae, they are parasitic on tions. In a study of over 20,000 specimens spheciform wasps and solitary ground of nocturnal mutillids from museums nesting bees (Krombein et al. 1979). throughout the Southwest, only a handful Schuster (1958) described Acanthophotop- of specimens of each Acanthophotopsis sis with two other genera, Acrophotopsis species was found, except for A.falciformis and Dilophotopsis. Although these other Schuster. This latter species is found genera have been treated recently (Pitts primarily in the USA, while the remaining and McHugh 2002; Wilson and Pitts 2008), species of Acanthophotopsis range into Acanthophotopsis has yet to be reviewed. At northern Mexico. The rarity of these spe- its description, Acanthophotopsis included cies in collections may be due to the five species and two subspecies. These difficulty of collecting in Mexico, rather species range from the palm desert region than a true reflection of their natural of California, east to Oklahoma, and south abundance. into the arid Northern regions of Mexico. In the course ofour studies, we found an Species of Acanthophotopsis are medium- undescribed species of Acanthophotopsis. sized and are largely reddish-brown with We describe this new species and report a new synonymy of the subspecies A. falci- formis falciformis and A. falciformis furcis- * Author for correspondence terna. Volume 18, Number2, 2009 193 MATERIALS AND METHODS We adopt the following notation for punctures in the order of decreasing The following acronyms are for institu- tions or collections housing the material coarseness: reticulate, coarse, moderate, small, fine and micropunctate (Ferguson discussed in the current study: 1967). Micropunctate punctures are ex- AEIC American Entomological Insti- tremely shallow and do not have vertical tute, Gainesville, Florida, USA. walls or sharp margins. Fine refers to AMNH American Museum of Natural shallow punctures that have slanted or History, New York, New York, curved walls and are separated by greater USA. than 10X their width. Small punctures BYUC Entomology Section, Monte L. have slightly vertical walls and are sepa- Bean Life Science Museum, rated by 2-10X their diameter. Moderate Brigham Young University, refers to punctures that tend to be circular, Provo, Utah, USA. are separated by 0.5-2X their width, and CASC California Academy of Scienc- have curved tovertical walls. Coarse refers es, San Francisco, California, to punctures that are closely spaced (0.2- USA. 0.5X puncture width) with vertical walls CISC Essig Museum of Entomology, and punctures are usually circular. Reticu- Department of Entomological late refers to sculpturing that resembles a Sciences, University of Califor- network oflineswith the punctures closely nia, Berkeley, California, USA. spaced (<0.2 puncture width) withvertical EMUS Department of Biology Insect walls. "Simple setae'' are setae that are Collection, Utah State Univer- smooth and do not have barbed surfaces. sity, Logan, Utah, USA. "Brachyplumose setae'' are setae with KAWC Kevin A. Williams Personal barbs that are less than, or equal to, the Collection, Utah State Univer- diameter of the shaft at the attachment of sity, Logan, Utah, USA. the barb. "Plumose setae" have longer NMNH National Museum of Natural barbs. We use "tibial spurs" instead of History, Washington, D.C., "calcaria" and "paramere" instead of USA. "gonoforcep". The acronyms T2, T3, etc., NVDA Nevada State Department of denote the second, third, etc., metasomal Agriculture, Reno, Nevada, tergites, respectively. Similarly, S2, S3, etc., USA. signifies the second, third, etc., metasomal SEMC Snow Entomological Museum, sternites, and F2, F3, etc., signify the University of Kansas, Law- second and third flagellar segments of the rence, Kansas, USA. antenna, respectively. In the material ex- UAIC Department of Entomology amined section, an asterisk denotes the Collection, University of Ari- specimen which was used to illustrate the zona, Tucson, Arizona, USA. genitalia. UCDC The Bohart Museum of Ento- mology, University of Califor- Acanthophotopsis Schuster UCRC nUiCa,RDaEvnist,omCoalloigfoircnaila,TUeSaAc.hing Acanthophotopsis Schuster, 1958. Ent. Amer. (n. s.) 37: 5 (in key), 88. Type-species: Acantho- and Research Collection, Uni- photopsisfalciformis Schuster, Orig. desig. versity of California, Riverside, — California, USA. Male diagnosis. Acanthophotopsis is dis- UMSP University of Minnesota Insect tinguishable from other nocturnal velvet Collection, St. Paul, Minnesota, ants by the large mesosternal processes USA. that are conical apically, slightly directed 194 Journalof Hymenoptera Research: Festschrift Honoring Roy Snelling Fig. 1. Mesosoma ofAcanthophotopsissnellingi. Mesostemalprocesslocated anteriortothemesostemalcoxae. posteriorly and easily viewed without a which consisted of the two subspecies of microscope (Fig. 1), and the swollen mid- A.falciformis, and the A. dorophora species- dle tibia with a single mid-tibial spur. group, which includes the remaining four Other characters useful in identifying species. We dispense with species-groups Acanthophotopsis include the ventral tooth inthis manuscriptbecause ofthe small size of the mandible being small and angulate of the genus, the evidence suggesting that to slightly rounded, or absent, and fol- A.falciformisfurcisterna is ajunior synonym lowed by a slight emargination. Also, the of A.falciformisfalciformis, and because the hypopygidium is unmodified lacking lat- genus is clearly a homogenous group. eral carinae. The parameres are short and The females of this genus are unknown. stout (Figs 14-19), and have apices that do Based on unpublished molecular data not overlap in situ. The cuspis of the (ITSl and ITS2), this genus is closely genitalia is densely setose and often curled related to the Sphaeropthalma blakeii, S. and spatulate at the extreme apex (Figs 14- baboquivari, and S. papaga species-groups; 19). Lastly, the apical margins of the therefore, the female will likely be similar metasomal segments have sparse setae on to the females of these groups. the fringes that are at the transition of being termed plumose or brachyplumose. Acanthophotopsis hequaertii Schuster — Females. Unknown. Remarks.—We have encountered some Acanthophotopsis hequaertii Schuster, 1958. Ent. Amer. (n. s.) 37: 12 (in key), 101. male. specimens of Acanthophotopsis that have Holotype: Arizona, Hereford, 16.Sep.1935, tw^o mid-tibial spurs, though this condition coll. F.H. Parker (UMIC). is rare. Specimens that have a second mid- — tibial spur also have a swollen mid-tibia Malediagnosis. Acanthophotopsis bequaer- and conical mesostemal processes and are, tii is identified by the following unique therefore, still distinguishable from the combination of characters: the mandibles other North American nocturnal velvet are tridentate, and the dorsal carina of the ants. Also, these specimens typically have mandible ends before the apex, such that two mid-tibial spurs on only one leg rather the apex of the mandible appears to be than on both. oblique (Fig. 2). The base of the clypeus is Schuster (1958), when describing Acan- distinctly raised and transversely carinate, thophotopsis, also described two species- but lacks a central tubercle and is not groups: the A. falciformis species-group. horizontally produced. The head behind Volume 18, Number2, 2009 195 4. Figs 2-7. Face ofAcanthophotopsis bequaertii (2),A. bifurca (3),A. dorophora (4),A. evansii (5),A.falciformis (6), andA. snellingi (7). 196 Journalof Hymexopter.a Research: Festschrift Honoring Roy Snelling the eyes is elongate with the margins Acanthophotopsis hifurca Schuster directlyposterior to the eyes nearlyparallel Acanthophotopsis bifurca Schuster, 1958. Ent. for a distance equal to one half the length Amer. (n. s.) 37: 13 (in key), 98. male. of the eye (Fig. 8). Other characters useful Holotvpe: Texas, Winterhaven, 15.May.l935, in identifying A. bequaertii are: 1) the frons coll. S.E. Jones (UTVQC). is coarsely punctate while the vertex is — moderately punctate, 2) the length of Fl is Male diagnosis. Acanthophotopsis bifiirca 1.75X its width, 3) the length of the stigma is identified by the following unique isnearly equal to thelength ofthe marginal combination of characters. The mandibles cell along the costa, and 4) the paramere in are tridentate and the dorsal carina of the lateral view is equallybroad throughout its mandible ends before the apex of the length except for the apex, which narrows mandible, such that the apex of the to an acute angle, and is 4X asbroad as the mandible appears to be oblique (Fig. 3). cuspis medially (Fig. 14). The base of the clypeus is raised into a — slight transverse median tubercle, but the Material examined. USA: Arizona, Cochise anterior portion of the clypeus not hori- Co.: 5 mi E Hereford, 1 3, 2.Jun.l966, coU. R.F. zontally produced. The head behind the Sternitzky (EMUS); Portal, 1 mi. S, 1 3, 16.Aug.l966, coll. E.G. and J.M. Linsley (CISC), eye is convergent giving the head a 3 3, 25.Aug.1964, coll. J.H. Puckle, M.A. rounded appearance (Fig. 9). Other char- Mortenson, and M.A. Cazier (CISC); Cave Cr. acters useful in identifyingA. bifurca are: 1) Ranch, 1 o, 10.Aug.l969, coU. E.G. Linsley the frons is coarsely punctate while the (CISC); Sierra Vista, 1 3, 21.0ct.l961, coll. R.F. vertex is moderatelypunctate, 2) the length Sternitzky (EMUS); Sonoita, 1 3, 13.JuI.1966, of Fl is 2X its width, 3) the length of the coll. R. Hennessey (CISC); Santa Cruz Co.: stigma is 0.75X the length of the marginal Canelo, 1 3*, 21.Jim.l958, coll. G.D. Butler ceU along the costa, and 4) the paramere in (UAIC); Parker Canyon Lake, SW slope Hua- lateral view is equallybroad throughoutits chuca Mts, 12-13.Aug.1968, coll. F. Werner length except for the apex, which narrows (UAIC). MEXICO: Chihuahua: Carmargo, 2E5xpm.iSSchWr,am1el3^(1A4.MJNulH.)l9;47C,acmoallr.gDo.,R4o2ckmeifeSUWe,r t3oxanasacubtreoaandglea,s anthdethceusppairsamemreediiasll2y- 4900', 3 3^ 5.Jul.l947, coll. D. RockefeUer Exp. (Fig. 15). Schramel (AMNH); Santa Barbara, 5500', 1 S, Material examined. USA: Oklahoma, Kiowa 20.Jul.l947, coll. D. Rockefeller Exp. Schramel Co., Lugert, 1 3, ll.Jun.l937, coll. Standish- (AMNH). Durango: SanJuandelRio, 5200', 1 3^ Kaiser (UAIC). New Mexico, Eddy Co., 1 o, 30.Jul.l947, coll. D. Rockefeller Exp. Schramel 12.Jul.l927, coll. R.H. Beamer (SMEC). Texas, (AMNH); Encino, 6200', 1 3, 27.Jul.1947, coll. D. Val Verde Co.: 1 ^*, 6.May.l941, coll. D.J. and Rockefeller Exp. Schramel (AMNH). — J.N. Knull (UMSP); Del Rio, 2 3^ 25.Apr.1959, Remarks. Previously, this species was coll. W.R.M. Mason (EMUS); 1 3, 10.Sep.l976, only known from the holotype. This coll. J.A. Powell and J.A. Chemsak (CISC); species is most likely to be confused with Kinney Co., Brackettville, 1 3^ 4.May.l950 A. bifurca (Fig. 15) due to the similarities in (CISC). — the presences of a medial tubercle on the Remarks. Previously, this species was clypeus and the lack of a complete dorsal only known from the holotype and carina on the mandible, such that the apex two paratypes. We were unable to lo- of the mandible is not vertical as in the cate the two paratypes. This species other Acanthophotopsis species. The genita- would most likely be confused with A. lia of these two species differ. The para- bequaertii; see the discussion in the re- mere ofA. bequaertii (Fig. 14) is thicker and marks section for A. bequaertii for charac- the apex of the cuspis is more obviously ters useful in distinguishing these two lobed. species. Volume 18, Number2, 2009 197 Figs 8-13. FrontalviewofheadofAcanthophotopsisbequaertii(8),A. bifurca(9),A. dorophora (10),A.evansii(11), A.falciformis (12), andA. snellingi (13). X 198 Journalof H^-mexopter-a Research: Festschrift Hoxorixg Roy Sxellixg 16 Figs. 14-19. Genitalia, lateralview,Acanthophotopsis hequaertii (14),A. bifiirca (15),A. dorophora (16),A. rcansii (17),A.falciformis (18), andA. S7ieUingi (19). Acanthophotopsis dorophora Schuster A. dorophora are: 1) the frons and vertex are coarsely punctate, and the area between Acanthophotopsis dorophora Schuster, 1958. Ent. Amer. (n. s.) 37: 13 (in key), 104. male. the punctures of the vertex is highly Fiolot)-pe: Arizona, Tucson,26.Aug.1935,coll. polished, 2) the length of Fl is 2.75X its O. Bryant (UMIC). \vidth, 3) the length of the stigma is 0.95 — the length of the marginal cell along the Male diagnosis. AcantJiophotopsis doro- costa, and 4) the paramere tapers evenly phora is identified by the following set of from the base to the apex, and ends in an unique characteristics: the mandibles are acute angle (Fig. 16). tridentate and the dorsal carina of the — mandible is complete, reaching from the Material examined. Arizona, Yuma Co.: Yuma, 1 ^^ 15.0ct.l958, coll. V. Roth (UAIC); base of the mandible to the innermost tooth, and the apex of the mandible is YSmuimtah, (1NMpaXrHa)t};'pe12om,i21N.T\TnY.ul9m3a0,, Gciollla. RHi.vMe.r vertical apically (Fig. 4). Although the valley, 1 j, 29.May.1961, coll. H.F. Howden surface of the clypeus just anterior to its (EMUS). California, Imperial Co., Algodones base is slightly raised, it lacks a median Dunes: Cahuilla Ranger Sta. 10 km WSW tubercle or transverse carina. The clypeus Glamis, 1 o, 22.Sep-15.Nov.2008, E. Dreyfus is horizontally produced, or plate-like. The (UCDC); Brawley, 1 S, 22.Jun.2004, coll. K.A. head behind the eyes is elongate, with the Williams (K—AWC). margins of the head just posterior to the Remarks. Previously, this species was eyes almost parallel for a distance equal to known from only the holotype. This one half the length of the eye (Fig. 10). species could be confused with A. snellingi, Other characters also useful in identihing sp. nov. See the discussion for the latter \OLL-Mi 18, XL-^ffiER2, 2009 199 — species for characters useful in distinguish- Remarks. Previously this species was ing these t^vo species. known from the holot}3?e and five para- t}'pes. Althoughthis species has a complete Acanthophotopsis evansii Schuster dorsal mandibular carina and lacks a clypeal tooth, the clypeal shape differs Aca?ithophotopsis evansii Schuster, 1958. Ent. Amer. (n. s.) 37: 12 (in key), 93. male. from A. doropJiora and A. snellingi, sp. Holot\-pe: Mexico, Durango, San Juan Del nov., ^vhich also have this set of characters. Rio, 7'.Aug.l951, coU. H.E. Evans (CUIC). Acanthophotopsisfalciformis Schuster — Male diagnosis. Acanthophotopsis evansii Acanthophotopsis falciformis falciformis Schuster, is identified by the follo^ving set of unique 1958. Ent. Amer. (n. s.) 37: 13 (in key), 108. characters. The mandibles are tridentate, male. Holot\'pe: California, Palm Springs, the dorsal carina of the mandible is fall.1932, coll. T. Zschokke (U'^'^C). complete to the innermost tooth; the apex Acanthophotopsis falciformis furcistenm Schuster, of the mandible is vertical apically (Fig. 5). 1958. Ent. Amer. (n. s.) 37: 14 (in key). 111. The base of the ch~peus is slightly raised, male. Holot}'pe: Arizona, Tucson, 5.0ct.l935, but not produced into a carina or a coll. O. Br\'ant (UlVHC). NEW SYNONYM. tubercle. The clypeus is only slightly — Male diagnosis. Acanthophotopsisfalcifor- horizontally produced, and not plate-like. mis is easily identified bv the presence of a The head behind the eyes is strongly fourth mandibular tooth, which is found convergent (Fig. 11). Other characters use- along the internal margin and projects ful in identifyingA. evansii are: 1) the frons posteriorly over the apex of the ch^peus of A. evansii is coarsely punctate ^vith (Fig. 6). Other characters useful in identi- shallow punctures while the vertex is fying A.falciformis are: 1) the dorsal carina moderately punctate; 2) the length of Fl of the mandible extends from the base of is 2.5X its ^vidth; 3) the length ofthe stigma the mandible to the innermost tooth; 2) the is 0.7X the length of the marginal cell along base of the clypeus is slightly raised, the costa; 4) the paramere in lateral view is although neither carinate nor tuberculate equally broad throughout its length except and nothorizontallyproduced; 3) the frons for the apex, ^vhich narrows to an acute is coarsely punctate ^vhile the vertex is angle; and 5) the paramere is 2-3X as moderately punctate; 4) the length of the broad as the cuspis medially (Fig. 17). first flagellomere is 2x its -width; 5) the — Material examined. USA: New Mexico, Eddy head behind the eyes is strongly conver- Co., WTiite's Cit\-, 1 S, 12.Jul.l966, coll. W.E. gent (Fig. 12); 6) the length of the stigma is Ferguson (CISC); Texas, Breicster Co.: Big Bend 0.8X the length of the marginal cell along National Park, Chisos Mts., The Basin, 5400- the costa; and 7) the paramere in lateral 6000', 1 3, 9.Mav.l959, 3500-4000', 1 f, viewis equallybroad throughoutits length 24.May.1959, coU. iv.R.M. Mason (EMUS), 1 except for the apex, ^vhich narro^vs to an parat\'pe £, 8-14.Jul.1948, coll. H.E. Evans acute angle, and the paramere is as broad (NMNH), Panther Jet, 1 S, 31.Aug.l971, coll. as the cuspis medially (Fig. 18). E.E. GrisseU and R.F. Denno; Chisos Mts., 1 — paratope 3, 10-12.Apr. 1908, coU. Mitchell and Material examined. USA: Arizona, Apache Cushman (NMNH). MEXICO: Chihuahua, 1 i, Co.: McNary, 1 3, 4.May.l963, coU. Bedall 13.Jul.1964,coU.J.A. Chemsak(CISC);Coahuila, (UAIC); Coconino Co.: 2 i, 16.Aug.l940, 5 3, Serrino,BuenaVista, Sierra del Carmen, 6000',2 23.Aug.1940, coll. F.W. Nunenmacher (U'MSP); r, 18.Jul.l938, coll. R.H. Baker (UMSP, UAIC); Gila Co.: Christmas, 3 mi S'W nr Gila River, 1 3, Durango, Nombre de Dios, 1 parat\-pe 3, 4.Jun.l962, coll. F. Werner (UAIC); Globe, 1 3, 4.Aug.l951,1parat}pe 5,5.Aug.l951,1parat\-pe 8.Aug.l933, 1 £, 18.Aug.l936, coU. F.H. Parker 3, 6.Aug.l951, coU. H.E. Evans (NMNFI), 1 £, (UMSP); La Paz Co.: Ehrenberg, 5 o, 6.Aug.l951, coll. P.D. Hurd (EMUS). 22.Mar.1940 (UMSP); Graham Co.: Bonita 200 Journalof Hymenoptera Research: Festschrift Honoring Roy Snelling Creek, 3500', 1 S, 17.Aug.l976, coll. D.S. I.jul.l969, coll. A. Tabet (UCRC); Palm Cyn Dr. Chandler (UAIC); Maricopa Co., Maricopa Mts., and BogartTr., 1 S,23.May.2001,coll. D. Hawks 1 S, 12.Apr.l947, coll. H.&M. Townes (AEIC); (UCRC); PL Boyd Des. Res. Center, Deep Phoenix, 17.May.l941 (UMSP); Mesa, 8 mi. NE, Canyon, 1 S (UCRC); PLBoyd Des. Res. Center, 1 3, 28.Apr.1964, coll. W.E. Ferguson (CASC); 2 S, 18.May. 1969, coll. M.E. Erwin (UCRC); PL Pima Co., Ajo, 2 ^, 8.Apr.l947, coll. H.&M. Boyd Des. Res. Center, 2 S, 21-29.May. 1973, Townes (AEIC); Arizona Sonora Desert Muse- coll. A.B. Tabet (UCRC); PL Boyd Des. Res. um, 5 S, 9-16.Aug.1962, 4 S, 21-24.Aug.1962, Center, 2 S> 27.May.-l.Jun.1970, coll. S. From- coll. W.L. Nutting and S. Owen (UAIC); Ajo mer and R. Worley (UCRC); PL Boyd Des. Res. Mts., Alamo Canyon, 1 S, 24.Jul., coll. J.W. Center, 2 S, 18.May. 1969, coll. M.E. Erwin Green (CASC); Organ Pipe Nat. Mon., 2 S, (UCRC); PL Boyd Des. Res. Center, 1 S, 14.Apr.l955, coll. Butler and Werner (UAIC), 1 24.May.1969, coll. M.E. Erwin and S. Frommer S, 17.Apr.l955, coll. J. Eden (UAIC), 3 S, (UCRC); PL Boyd Des. Res. Center, 3 S, 13- W17.Aug.l955, coll. J. Eden (UAIC); Pusch Peak, 18.Jun.l969, coll. S. Frommer and B. Worley slope, Santa Catalina Mts., 2800', nr Hardy (UCRC); PL Boyd Des. Res. Center, 1 S, Rd and Hwy 80, 1 S, 17.May.l963, coll. C.E. 15.Jun.l969, coll. S. Frommer and L. LaPre Mickel (UMSP); Sabino Cyn., Santa Catalina (UCRC); PL Boyd Des. Res. Center, 3 S, 18- Mts., 1 S, 22.Apr.1965, coll. J. Hessel and J. 19.Jun.l969, coll. S. Frommer and B. Worley Burger (UAIC); Saguaro Nat. Mon., 1 S, (UCRC); PL Boyd Des. Res. Center, 4 S, 20- 18.May.l961, coll. G.D. Butler (UAIC); Tucson, 24.Jun.1969, coll. S. Frommer and B. Worley 1 S, 4.May.l963, 2 S, 6.May.l963, 1 S, (UCRC); PL Boyd Des. Res. Center, 3 S, 2- 12.May.l963, 1 <3, 8.May.l963, 1 S, 3.Jul.l969, coll. S. Frommer and R.M. Worley 14.May.l963, coll. C.E. Mickel (UAIC), (UCRC); San Bernardino Co.: Baker, 9 air mi. S, 10.Aug.l959, coll. K.W. Radford (UAIC), 1 S, Zzyzx Sprs., 1 S, 22.Apr.1977, coll. Buegler 9.Aug.l928, coll. A.A. Nichol (UAIC), 16 S, (CISC), Needles, 1 S, 5.May.l939, coll. E.P. 26.Aug.1939, coll. O. Bryant (UMSP); Tucson, N VanDuzee (CASC), Rice, 4 mi. S, 5 S, end Campbell Ave., Santa Catalina Foothills, 6 3.Aug.l962, coll. W.E. Ferguson (CASC); Zyz- S, 5.Aug.l967, coll. M.S. NoUer (UAIC); Tucson zyx. Soda Springs, 1 S, 9.Aug.l986, coll. R.A. Mtn Park, 1 S, 14.Apr.l990, coll.W.E. Ferguson Read (EMUS). San Diego Co., Borrego V, 1 S, (CASC); Santa Cruz Co: Patagonia, 1 S, 20.Mayl941, coll. E.G. Van Dyke (CASC); 21.Aug.l940, coll. F.W. Nunenmacher (UMSP); Nevada, Clark Co., Logandale, 1 S, 5.Aug.l959. Yuma Co.: Tinajas, Atlas Mts., 1 S, 26.Aug.1930, coll. F.D. Parker (NVDA);Nye Co. Mercury, 1 S, coll. L.K. Gloyd (EMUS).California, Algodones 21.Aug.l964 (BYUC); 5 S, 23.Aug.1964 (BYUC). Dunes, Niland-Glamis Rd., 7.4 km NW Glamis, MEXICO: Sonora, 1 S, l-10.Sep.1953, coll. B. 1 S, 3-30.May.2008, S. Heydonand K. Lorenzen Malkin (CASC). (UCDC); Imperial Co., Glamis, 3.5 mi NW, Paratypes of A. furcisterna: Arizona, f. Algodones Dunes, 1 S, 13.Apr.l964, (UCRC); Tucson, 1 c^, 26.Aug.1939, coll. O. Bryant Glamis, 7 mi. E, 5 S, ll-12.Apr.1973, M.S. (NMNH). Wasbauer (CDFA); Pothole, 1 S, 9.Apr.l923, Paratypes of A. /. falciformis: California, coll. E.P. VanDusee (CASC); Riverside Co.: Corn Palm Springs, 1 3, fall 1932, coll. T. Zschokke Spg., 5 mi. S Desert Center, 2 S, 24.Jun.2004, (NMNH). Arizona,Ehrenberg, 1 S,27.Apr.1939, coll. K.A. Williams (KAWC); Deep Canyon, 5 S, coll. F.H. Parker (NMNH). — 2.May.l963, coll. E.I. Schlinger (UCRC), 2 S, Remarks. Schuster (1958) separated A. 3.May.l963, coll. E.I. Schlinger (UCRC), 3 S, falciformis sensu stricto from A.ffurcisterna 16.May.l963, coll. E.I. Schlinger (UCRC), 1 3, based on the shape ofthe head posterior to 30.May.l963, coll. E.I. Schlinger (UCRC), 2 S, the eyes, with the former having poorly 8.0ct.l963, coll. M.E. Irwin and E.I. Schlinger developed temples and a strongly conver- (UCRC),12 S*, 9.0ct.l963, coll. M.E. Irwin and E.I. Schlinger (UCRC, EMUS); McCoy Springs, gent vertex in contrast to A. f furcisterna, 8(.UACpRrC.)l9;63P,alcomll.DesE.eIr.t,Sc1hliS,ngelrl.Aapnrd.l9J5.C0., Hcoallll. wmhoircehrhoausndweeldl vdeervteexl.opAedrteevmipelwesofanpdre-a L.W. Quate (EMUS); Junction Horsethief Cr. served museum specimens has failed to and Deep Cr., 8 mi. N, 2960 ft, 3 Sr 30.Jun.- yield a noticeable difference in the shape of Volume 18, Nl-mber1, 2009 201 the head. Schuster also reported that the A. f fiircisterna with which to work. metasoma of A. fiircisterna was darker Because of the overlap in the various f. than infalciformis. We found this not to be measurements discussed above and lack the case. Some specimens oiA. fiircisterna of discernable differences, we consider f. from Arizona lack castaneous or piceous these two subspecies s}Tionymous. pigmentation ventral to the felt line and some specimens of A. falciformis from Acanthophotopsis snellingi Tanner & f. New Riverside Co., California, have castaneous Pitts, Species — and piceous pigmentation ventral to the Male diagnosis. AcanthopJiotopsis snel- felt line. lingi is distinguishable from the other Schuster (1958) also reported a difference species of Acanthophotopsis by having the in the size of the eyes of these two following combination of characters.) The subspecies, as measured by the relative mandibles are tridentate, and the dorsal proportions of the frons and the width of carina of the mandible is complete to the the head. The frons oiA. falciformis (0.47- f. innermost tooth and the apex of the 0.49) is narrower thanA.f fiircisterna (0.53- mandible is vertical (Fig. 7). The basal 0.55) due to the encroachment of the eyes margin of the ch^eus lacks a carina and (Schuster, 1958). Our measurements, how- ever, show that the range ofA. falciformis a central tubercle, is horizontally produced f. and covered in short, dense setae. The head (0.46-0.49) overlaps with the range of A.f behind the eyes is elongate, with the fiircisterna (0.46-0.52), although A. f fiircis- margins of the head just posterior to the terna has, on average, a broader frons. eyes almost parallel for a distance equal to Schuster (1958) also reported that that the ocelli in A. f falciformis were verv^ large one half the length of the eye (Fig. 13). Other characters useful in identifv^ing A. with the ocellocular distance (1.15-1.25) much shorter than that in A. f fiircisterna snellingi are: 1) the frons is moderately (1.4-1.7). As with the relative width of the punctate while the vertex has small punc- frons, we found thatA. fiircisterna has, on tation; 2) the length of Fl is 1.5-2X its average, a larger distancf.ebetween the eyes width; 3) the length of the stigma is 0.8X and oceUi relative to the length ofthe oceUi the length of the marginal cell along the (1.4-1.5) than does that of A. f falciformis costa; and 4) the paramere, in lateral view (1.2-1.5), but there is much overlap in the is equally broad throughout its length ranges of these two subspecies. except for the apex, which narrows to an Schuster (1958) reported that the meso- acute angle, and the paramere is 4x as stemal processes of A. f fiircisterna were broad as the c—uspis medially (Fig. 19). sickle-shaped and differedfromthatofA.f Description. Setal pattern and coloration: falciformis. We found variation and overlap Body covered in bracMq^lumose setae that in the shape of the processes between the are uniformly white, except pale golden on two subspecies. We compared the basal mesonotum; most dense along posterior width of the mesostemal process to their margins of tergites. Weak fringe of sparse lengthinA.f.fiircisterna (0.65-1.0) and A.f. white brachyplumose to plumose setae falciformis (0.75-1.0), and found that pro- present on apical fringes of metasoma. portional size of the process is similar Head, mesosoma and metasoma reddish- betvv^een the tw^o. brown, except ocellar triangle dark red- Lastly, study ofthe genitaliauncovers no dish-browTL, clypeus light reddish-brown, discernable differences between these two and apex of metasoma becoming piceous. subspecies. These discrepancies are not Wings hyaline basally, veins brown, and unexpected given that Schuster only had slightly infuscate apically. Coxae and tro- four specimens each of A.ffalciformis and chanters concolorouswithbodv. Antennae,