Hello again,
So, I have absolutely no idea what this is. We've been spending time walking around looking at ants and the Pogonomyrmex mounds always stand out. But then there are often a small mound on the edge of the Pogonomyrmex clearing with these little ants. They seem to get along with the Pogonomyrmex alright, so it just makes me wonder what they are. Thus, I find myself back here.
FIRST-Where collected? United States in Broomfield, Colorado (a suburb of Denver).
SECOND-Habitat of collection? On a small dirt mound nest on the edge of a Pogonomyrmex clearing.
THIRD-Coloration, hue and pattern? Without magnification they look black except a bit lighter on the head. Under magnification, they are a dark brown throughout except much lighter at the joints and on the mandibles. They are pretty uniformly shiny and smooth.
FOURTH-Distinguishing characteristics? They have what looks to me like a single tall segment in the waist which tilts forward. Head longer than it is wide, Medium size eyes forward of center and toward the outside, but on top of the head, not breaking the silhouette of the head. I believe there are eleven segments in the antenna although I always have a hard time counting. No hairs that I can appreciate.
FIFTH-Length in millimeters? We gathered two specimens. One is 4 mm the other is 5 mm.
SIXTH-Anything else distinctive? Decent climber. Fast gait.
Pictures: http://imgur.com/a/jFFK2
Thanks as always for your assistance.
Tory Netherton
