species endemic mexico member genus subfamily described swiss originally genus recent phylogenetic study concluded genetically distinct separated medium sized species measuring millimetres colored certain parts body small workers colonies noticeably different color body structure active day forage ground low herbs colonies found stones objects tropical dry forests pine oak forests ants solitary feed insects months known predator giant known reproduction flight place spring summer queens establish nests stones objects taxonomy originally described swiss provided volume genus italian placed subgenus synonym taxon described new species based workers collected mexico study showed synonym brown comments described new species supposed distinct features type specimens brown noticed morphological differences exact type locality unknown speculates restricted arid forests mexico speculation consistent preferred habitat evidence retain valid genus emerged scientists discovered system species system english argues basing genus feature justify separation phylogenetic study concluded genetically distinct genus revived include members description medium sized species measuring millimetres excluding head millimetres long millimetres wide antennae surpass margin second segment longer fourth segments length longer second fifth second segments shorter head twice long broad widest eyes larvae measure millimetres length appear similar larvae distinguished abundance hair long found body teeth long straight teeth smaller posterior eyes convex head forms collar seen species ants large triangular teeth flat eyes large workers small colonies workers differ workers living mature colonies notably size body shape coloration average length millimetres head millimetres long millimetres wide spines spines found abdominal segment protect shorter hair noticeable workers soft short hair abundant certain parts body including sparse area sides head eyes reduced segment hairs point downwards erect hair seen body sparse numbers varies hairs abundant comparison species head colored spines legs yellowish red reddish brown abdomen brown hair exhibits gold like color absent wider portion narrow rectangular evenly round oval shaped narrow convex large oval shaped distribution habitat endemic mexico found tropical dry forests altitudes sea level cases colonies found found mexican states east including guerrero south north nests commonly found basins mountains pine oak forests forests abundant consisting trees shrubs tall areas contain low herbs grasses plants trees trees plants identified habitats identified plants trees include indian spurred cigar plants crane grass mexican habitats usually wet season summer autumn dry season spring species thrive dry climates colonies frequent basins rarely found mountainous regions ants prefer nest sand large stones certain areas stones buried soil colonies found alongside hills plain soil colonies found stones noticeable surrounding nest entrance colony found plant nest holes usually diameter single path connects entrance main nest site followed passage descends straight dirt inches deep passage widens stone forms gallery larvae stones formed descend ground form chambers unknown deep passages excavated nests deep behavior ecology unlike species workers forage early morning late afternoon forage afternoon evening unknown ants active night emerge nests return rarely seen middle day temperatures reach ground temperature considerably higher workers commonly seen foraging workers forage ground seen walking low feeding plants collecting seeds excavated nests showed evidence ants collect seeds workers seen collecting carrying nest ants solitary work away home nest feeds insects prey consuming dead insects small worker discovers dead insect start pull carry nest immediately join detect workers cooperate pull insect directions accidentally tearing apart workers eventually piece insect left return nest known predator giant known inside nests function purpose colony unknown known reproduction flight collectors note resembling forms found excavated colonies august february larvae collected large reproductive ants possible flight takes place spring summer like likely start occur june flight queens search suitable colony building chamber objects stones exposed roots woody plants theory stated supported fact ants depend stones buried soil nest construction larvae upper chambers nest joined hooked hairs larvae arrangement likely helps workers brood efficiently group colonies workers brood life stages unlike larvae eggs queen found galleries found deepest chambers nest large nests small workers resembling generation brood rare absent
Novomessor ensifer