Acanthostichus punctiscapus

Acanthostichus punctiscapus MacKay, 1996 PDF: 160, figs. 12, 30, 31 (w.) U.S.A. (New Mexico). Nearctic. Primary type information: Type-material: holotype worker. Type-locality: U.S.A.: New Mexico, Doña Ana County, Jornada LTER Site, 45 km. NE Las Cruces, 1.6 km. W College Ranch Headquarters, ca 150 mi. S Jornada Playa, 17.vii.1985 (D. Lightfoot & S. Van Vactor). Type-depository: MCZC. Secondary type information: Paratype-material: 38 paratype workers. Paratype-locality: same as for holotype. Paratype-depositories: AMNH, BMNH, CASC, EMAU, FMNH, IMLT, INPA, LACM, MACN, MCZC, MIZA, MSNG, MZSP, UATA, UNAM, USNM, WEMC. AntCat AntWiki HOL

Taxonomic history

Status as species: Mackay & Mackay, 2002 PDF: 41.

Acanthostichus are predominately subterranean, predaceous ants that are infrequently collected. Little is know about the biology of most species in the genus. Acanthostichus punctiscapus was collected in a nest of the ant Pogonomyrrnex desertorum Wheeler at a depth of 70 cm, located in a Larrea tridentata (creosote bush) plant occurring in Chihuahuan Desert scrub. Only part of the colony was collected as there was no associated nest queen found.

Known only from Arizona and New Mexico.

This species is easily recognized and can be separated from all others in the genus by the densely punctate surfaces, especially of the scapes.