Species: Pogonomyrmex cunicularius
Taxonomic history (from RAJ):
Pogonomyrmex cunicularius Mayr, 1887: 613 (worker, male). Syntypes examined: 2 workers [NMW], Uruguay; 1 male [NMW], Monte Video, Uruguay; 2 workers [NMW], Buenos Aires (Prof. Berg leg.). See also Gallardo, 1932: 120, fig. 13.
Pogonomyrmex cunicularis (sic) var. brevispinus Santschi, 1931: 275 (worker, queen). Syntypes examined: 1 worker, 1 ergatoid queen [MACN], Estación Sosa, Entre Ríos Province, Argentina (Mac Donagh leg.). Kusnezov, 1951: 251 synonomy under cunicularius). See also Gallardo, 1932: 123.
Etymology: The specific epithet, cunicularius, (from Latin cunicul-, plus the Latin suffix –arius, indicates a miner or burrower), apparently refers to the soil nests excavated by this species. Mayr did not discuss the naming of this species. However, Kusnezov (1949) wrote that P. cunicularius is the only Argentinian species of Pogonomyrmex that constructs a crater, even though they are relatively small and flat.
Species description: Mayr, 1887 (RAJ revision description)
Other literature: Gallardo, 1932; Kusnezov, 1951
Photos of all castes: lectotype worker, worker, ergatoid queen, male