Information relative to the distribution
of the ants of the Colorado and Mojave Deserts has been cited by
three different methods. First indicated is RANGE: here is
cited, in general terms, the total known range of the species. This
is followed by DESERT RECORDS: under this heading the range
of the species within the Mojave and Colorado Deserts is indicated.
In the case of species for which there are many records a general
statement is made.
Where there are few records (usually
fewer than 20) collection data are cited in full: locality, date,
collector(s), field numbers (where apropos) and depository of the
sample.
Collection sites for each record for
each species are indicated on the xx (number) distribution maps.
Maps were plotted by means of a computer program Versamap,
available as a download and based on longitude and latitude. When
precise coordinates were unknown (as was true for almost all earlier
records) these were estimated to the nearest minute. Certain assumptions
had to be made during this process. For example, a specimen label
that reads "11 mi W Needles" almost certainly should be
corrected to read "11 mi NW"; there are no roads extending
that far west of Needles and the collection was most probably made
along the highway (old Hwy 66) which runs northwest out of Needles.
Of course, on the scale of these maps, such a slight distinction
is hardly evident.
A few abbreviations in data citation
are used, in addition to those of specimen depositories, already
noted above under
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. These are: ABDP, Anza-Borrego Desert State
Park; DG, Derham Giuliani collector; DVNP, Death Valley National
Monument; GJW, George and Jeanette Wheeler collectors; JTNP, Joshua
Tree National Monument; RRS, R.R. Snelling collector; RRS &
CDG, R.R. Snelling & C.D. George collectors; WSC, W.S. Creighton
collector
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