About Leptothorax rugatulus Emery, 1895
Temnothorax rugatulus (previously described under the scientific name Leptothorax rugatulus Emery, 1895) is a species of ant belonging to the genus Temnothorax. This ant species is native to North America, and is specifically found in the forests of the western United States. Colonies of this species can follow one of two social structures: they are either monogynous, meaning they have a single reproductive queen, or polygynous, meaning they have multiple reproductive queens. In monogynous colonies, queens are generally larger macrogynes, roughly twice the size of workers of the same species. In polygynous colonies, queens are smaller microgynes, and are typically slightly smaller than the species' workers. T. rugatulus forms a subdominant group of ants. The distribution of T. rugatulus covers the entire western United States, in addition to North Dakota, South Dakota, and western Texas. The species is also present in the northern Mexican states of Baja California, Sonora, and Chihuahua. Its range extends north into Canada, where it occupies the provinces and territories of Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and the Yukon Territories.
