Aphaenogaster mediterrae
Aphaenogaster mediterrae | |
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Aphaenogaster mediterrae | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Hymenoptera |
Family: | Formicidae |
Subfamily: | Myrmicinae |
Tribe: | Attini |
Genus: | Aphaenogaster |
Species: | A. mediterrae |
Binomial name | |
Aphaenogaster mediterrae Shattuck, 2008 |
Aphaenogaster mediterrae is found in mallee and open woodlands from the Adelaide region west across the Nullabor Plain to south-central Western Australia. Nests are generally in sand with cone or funnel-shaped entrances. This species was previously confused with A. barbigula.
Identification
Majority of hairs on underside of head located laterally and forming a distinct psammophore; eye relatively large (EI greater than 21); scape relatively long (SI greater than 106). This species has a psammophore similar to that found in A. barbigula and A. poultoni. It can be separated from these species by the presence of a larger eye and longer scape.
Keys including this Species
Distribution
Latitudinal Distribution Pattern
Latitudinal Range: -25.958045° to -34.18333333°.
North Temperate |
North Subtropical |
Tropical | South Subtropical |
South Temperate |
- Source: AntMaps
Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia (type locality).
Distribution based on AntMaps
Distribution based on AntWeb specimens
Check data from AntWeb
Countries Occupied
Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species. |
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Estimated Abundance
Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species. |
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Biology
Castes
Nomenclature
The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.
- mediterrae. Aphaenogaster mediterrae Shattuck, 2008a: 39, figs. 11, 12, 19, 20, 28 (w.m.) AUSTRALIA (Western Australia).
- Type-material: holotype worker, 30 paratype workers, 1 paratype male.
- Type-locality: holotype Australia: Western Australia, 21 mi. NWbyW Balladonia Motel, 32°12’S, 123°19’E, 4.xi.1969 (Key & Upton); paratypes with same data.
- Type-depositories: ANIC (holotype); ANIC, MCZC, WAMP (paratypes).
- Distribution: Australia.
Type Material
- Holotype, worker, 21mi. NWbyW Balladonia Motel, Western Australia, Australia, 32°12′0″S 123°19′0″E / 32.2°S 123.316667°E, Key,K.H.L. & Upton,M.S., ANIC32-031016, Australian National Insect Collection.
- Paratype, 34 workers, 1 male, 21mi. NWbyW Balladonia Motel, Western Australia, Australia, 32°12′0″S 123°19′0″E / 32.2°S 123.316667°E, Key,K.H.L. & Upton,M.S., ANIC32-001084, Australian National Insect Collection.
- Paratype, 3 workers, 21mi. NWbyW Balladonia Motel, Western Australia, Australia, 32°12′0″S 123°19′0″E / 32.2°S 123.316667°E, Museum of Comparative Zoology.
- Paratype, 3 workers, 21mi. NWbyW Balladonia Motel, Western Australia, Australia, 32°12′0″S 123°19′0″E / 32.2°S 123.316667°E, Western Australian Museum.
Description
Posterior margin of head broadly arched in full face view, the arch beginning at the occipital collar and with at most a weak angle separating the posterior and lateral margins of the head (often posterior and lateral margins forming a continuous surface). Majority of hairs on venter of head located laterally and forming a distinct psammophore, only scattered hairs on central portion. Mandibular sculpture composed of regularly sized striations. Erect hairs on mesosomal dorsum tapering to sharp points. Propodeal spines reduced to small denticles. Petiolar node (in dorsal view) approximately square.
Measurements
Worker (n = 22, units = mm). CI 84-92; EI 21-27; EL 0.19-0.27; HL 0.88-1.29; HW 0.75-1.16; ML 1.23-1.84; MTL 0.77-1.08; SI 104-126; SL 0.94-1.28.
- CI: Cephalic index: HW/HL x 100.
- EI: Eye index: EL/HW x 100.
- EL: Maximum eye length with eye in full face view.
- HL: Maximum head length in full face (dorsal) view, measured from the anterior-most point of the clypeal margin to the posterior-most point of the head proper (excluding the occipital collar).
- HW: Maximum head width in full face (dorsal) view excluding the eyes.
- ML: Mesosomal length measured from the anterior surface of the pronotum proper (excluding the collar) to the posterior extension of the propodeal lobes.
- MTL: Maximum length of mid tibia, excluding the proximal part of the articulation which is received into the distal end of the femur.
- SI: Scape index: SL/HW x 100.
- SL: Length of the scape (first antennal segment) excluding the basal neck and condyle.
References
- Heterick, B.E. 2021. A guide to the ants of Western Australia. Part I: Systematics. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 86, 1-245 (doi:10.18195/issn.0313-122x.86.2021.001-245).
- Heterick, B.E. 2022. A guide to the ants of Western Australia. Part II: Distribution and biology. Records of the Western Australian Museum, supplement 86: 247-510 (doi:10.18195/issn.0313-122x.86.2022.247-510).
- Shattuck,S.O. (2008). Australian ants of the genus Aphaenogaster (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa, 1677: 25–45.
References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics
- Shattuck S. O. 2008. Australian ants of the genus Aphaenogaster (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1677: 25-45.
- Shattuck, S. O. "Australian ants of the genus Aphaenogaster (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)." Zootaxa 1677 (2007): 25-45.