Aphaenogaster japonica

The ant is found on the plains of eastern Japan (Mizutani & Imamura, 1980), and at higher elevations in the west, nesting in the soil or under stones in woodland or its margins (Japanese Ant Image Database).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China, Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Japan, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation.

Nomenclature

 * . Aphaenogaster schmitzi subsp. japonica Forel, 1911e: 267 (w.) JAPAN.
 * Wheeler, W.M. 1928d: 102 (q.).
 * Combination in Aphaenogaster (Attomyrma): Emery, 1921f: 60.
 * Subspecies of syriaca: Emery, 1921f: 60.
 * Subspecies of smythiesii: Wheeler, W.M. 1928d: 101; Morisita, 1945: 22; Chapman & Capco, 1951: 133; Azuma, 1955: 79; Onoyama, 1980: 197; Nishizono & Yamane, 1990: 34; Ogata, 1991b: 86; Morisita, et al. 1992: 17; Bolton, 1995b: 70.
 * Status as species: Azuma, 1977: 113; Wu, J. & Wang, 1995: 114; Yamane, 1996: 111; Park & Kim, 2000: 108; Zhou, 2001b: 145; Zhang, W. & Zheng, 2002: 219; Imai, et al. 2003: 179; Radchenko, 2005b: 133; Guénard & Dunn, 2012: 40.
 * Senior synonym of sinensis: Wu, J. & Wang, 1995: 114; Zhou, 2001b: 145; Radchenko, 2005b: 133.
 * Senior synonym of verecunda: Yamane, 1996: 111.
 * sinensis. Aphaenogaster smythiesi subsp. sinensis Wheeler, W.M. 1928c: 9 (w.) CHINA (Beijing).
 * Wheeler, W.M. 1929f: 2 (q.m.).
 * Subspecies of smythiesii: Wheeler, W.M. 1929f: 2; Wheeler, W.M. 1930h: 62; Chapman & Capco, 1951: 133; Tang, J., Li, et al. 1995: 52.
 * Status as species: Arnol'di, 1976b: 1022; Kupyanskaya, 1990: 119; Bolton, 1995b: 73; Guénard & Dunn, 2012: 40 (error).
 * Junior synonym of japonica: Wu, J. & Wang, 1995: 114; Zhou, 2001b: 145; Radchenko, 2005b: 133.
 * verecunda. Aphaenogaster (Attomyrma) verecunda Wheeler, W.M. 1928d: 105 (w.) JAPAN.
 * Status as species: Chapman & Capco, 1951: 133; Onoyama, 1980: 197; Ogata, 1991b: 86; Bolton, 1995b: 74.
 * Junior synonym of japonica: Yamane, 1996: 111.

Taxonomic Notes
Nishizono & Yamane (1990) report a form with stronger sculpturation from a mountainous region in Kagoshima Prefecture at 400 to 500 m elevation. It has the dorsal surface of the pronotum almost completely transversely striate.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Anonymous. A list of ants collected at Bandai, Fukushima Prefecture by the members of the Myrmecological Society of Japan in 1992. ARI Reports of the Myrmecologists Society (Japan) 18: 31
 * Azuma M. 1955. A list of ants (Formicidae) from Hokkaido Is. Hyogo Biology 3:79-80.
 * Choi B.-M. 1987. Taxonomic study on ants (Formicidae) in Korea (1). On the genus Monomorium. Journal of the Institute of Science Education (Cheongju National Teachers' College) 11:17-30.
 * Choi B.M. 1986. Studies on the distribution of ants (Formicidae) in Korea. Journal of Chongju National Teacher College 23: 317-386.
 * Choi B.M. 1988. Studies on the distribution of ants (Formicidae) in Korea (5) Ant fauna in Is. Kanghwado. Chongju Sabom Taehak Nonmunjip (Journal of Chongju National Teacher' College) 25: 217-231.
 * Choi B.M. 1996. Distribution of ants (Formicidae) in Korea (16) - Ant fauna from Chollabukdo. Korean J. Soil. Zoology 1(1): 5-23.
 * Choi B.M. 1996. Distribution of ants (Formicidae) in Korea (16): Ant fauna from Chollabukdo. Korean Journal of Soil Zoology 1(1): 5-23.
 * Choi B.M. 1997. Distribution of Ants (Formicidae) in Korea (18). Ants Fauna in island Paekryongdo and Taechongdo. Journal of Chongju National University of Education 34: 119-138.
 * Choi B.M. 1998. Distribution of ants (Formicidae) in Korea (19) Ants fauna from Chungcheongbukdo Province. Cheongju Tea. Coll. 35: 213-266.
 * Choi B.M., Bang, J.R. 1992. Studies on the distribution of ants (Formicidae) in Korea (9). Ant fauna in Mt. Togyusan. Korean Journal of Applied Entomology 31:101-112.
 * Choi B.M., K. Ogata, and M. Terayama. 1993. Comparative studies of ant faunas of Korea and Japan. 1. Faunal comparison  among islands of Southern Korean and northern Kyushu, Japan. Bull. Biogeogr. Soc. Japan 48(1): 37-49.
 * Choi B.M., Kim, C.H., Bang, J.R. 1993. Studies on the distribution of ants (Formicidae) in Korea (13). A checklist of ants from each province (Do), with taxonomic notes. Cheongju Sabom Taehakkyo Nonmunjip (Journal of Cheongju National University of Education) 30: 331-380.
 * Choi B.M., and H.S. Lee. 1999. Studies on the distribution ants in Korea (21) - Ant fauna in Kwanaksan. Korean J. Soil Zoology 4(1): 1-4.
 * Choi B.M., and J. R. Bang. Studies on the distribution of ants (Formicidae) in Korea (12): the analysis of ant communities in 23 islands. Journal of Cheongju National University of Education 30:317-330.
 * Forel A. 1911. Die Ameisen des K. Zoologischen Museums in München. Sitzungsber. Math.-Phys. Kl. K. Bayer. Akad. Wiss. Münch. 11: 249-303.
 * Guénard B., and R. R. Dunn. 2012. A checklist of the ants of China. Zootaxa 3558: 1-77.
 * Ha S.J, S.J. Park, and B.J. Kim. 2002. Comparative ant faunas between Seonyudo and seven other islands of West Sea in Korea. Korean Journal of Entomology 32(2): 75-79.
 * Harada Y., K. Nishikubo, K. Matsumoto, M. Matsuda, Y. Inazawa, Y. Ozono, S. Koto, N. Kawaguchi, and S. Yamane. 2011. Ant fauna of Japanese beech (Fagus crenata) forests in southwestern Japan. Bull. Biogeogr. Soc. Japan 66: 115-127.
 * Harada Y., Yadori H., Takinami R., Nagahama K., Matsumoto Y., Oyama A., Maeda S. and Yamane S.K. 2013. Ants of the southernmost Fagus crenata forest in Japan. Nature of Kagoshima 39: 113-118
 * Harada Y., Yadori H., Takinami R., Nagahama K., Matsumoto Y., Oyama A., Maeda S. and Yamane S.K. 2013. Ants of the southernmost Fagus crenata forest in Japan. Nature of Kagoshima 39: 113-118.
 * Hayashida K. 1971. Vertical distribution of ants in the southern part of the Hidaka mountains. [In Japanese.]. Memoirs of the National Science Museum (Tokyo) 4:29-38.
 * Hayashida K. 1972. Ecological survey on ants in Nakagawa Experiment Forest of Hokkaido University. Res. Bull. Exper. Forests, Coll. Agr., Hokkaido Univ. 29: 25-36.
 * Hisamatsu M. 2004. List of Hymenoptera Recorded in Ibaraki Prefecture. Bulletin of Ibaraki Nature Museum 7: 125-164.
 * Hosoichi S., M. Yoshimura, Y. Kuboki, and K. Ogata. 2007. Ants from Yakushima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture. Ari 30: 47-54.
 * Hosoichi S., W. Tasen, S. H. Park. A. Le Ngoc, Y. Kuboki, and K. Ogata. 2015. Annual fire resilience of ground-dwelling ant communities in Hiraodai Karst Plateau grassland in Japan. Entomological Science 18: 254–261.
 * Hosoishi S., M. Yoshimura, Y. Kuboki, and K. Ogata. 2007. Ants from Yakushima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture. Ari 30: 47-54.
 * Ichikawa A. 1999. Records of ants observed from several localities of Osaka Prefecture, Japan, -1. Ari 23: 1-3.
 * Ichinose K. 1990. The Ant Fauna of the Tomakomai Experiment Forest, Hokkaido University (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with Notes on the Nuptial Season. Research Bulletins of College Experiment Forests 47(1) 137-144.
 * Ikeshita Y., A. Gotoh, K. Yamamoto, N. Taniguchi, and F. Ito. 2007. Ants collected in Mt. Linoyama, Marugame, Kagawa Prefecture (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Kagawa Seibutsu 34: 59-62.
 * Johnson R. Personnal Database. Accessed on February 5th 2014 at http://www.asu.edu/clas/sirgtools/resources.htm
 * Katayama M., T. Hosoya, and W. Toki. 2013: First survey of ground-dwelling ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on the uninhabitedGaja-jima Island, theRyukyu archipelago, Japan.Entomol. Fennica 24: 216222.
 * Kholin S. K. and A. N. Kupianskaya. 2003. The international biodiversity observation year (IBOY): the ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of forest ecosystems of the Primorye region. Chteniya Pamyati Alekseya Ivanovicha Kurentsova 14: 50-55.
 * Kim B.J., K.G. Kim, D.P. Ryu, J.H. Kim. 1995. Ants of Chindo island in Korea (Hymenoptera; Formicidae). The Korean Journal of Systematic Zoology 11(1): 101-113.
 * Kim C.H., B.M. Choi, and J.R. Bang. 1992. Studies on the distribution of ants (Formicidae) in Korea (8)-Ant fauna in 10 islands, Chollanam-do. Korean J. Appl. Entomol. 31(4): 345-359.
 * Kim G., and D. Lyu. 2012. Distribution of ants (Insecta, Hymenoptera) in Chiaksan Mountain, Prov Gangweon, Korea. Journal of Korean Nature 5(2): 127-129.
 * Kim K.I., C.H. Kim, and B. Choi. 1989. The ant fauna of the southern shore in Gyeongsangnamdo, Korea. Journal of Gyeongsang Nat. Univ. 28(2): 213-226.
 * Kim et al. 1993. Systematic study of ants from Chejudo Province. Koran Journal of Entomology 23(3): 117-141.
 * Kim, Byung-Jin, Ky-Gyong Kim, Dong-Pyo Ryu and Joong-Hyon Kim. 1995. The Korean Journal of Systematic Zoology. 11(1):101-113.
 * Kipyatkov V. E., and E. B. Lopatina. 1990. Seasonal development of Aphaenogaster sinensis in the South Primor'e: new type of seasonal cycle in ants. Entomol. Rev. 69: 72-81.
 * Kondoh M. 1988. Ant communities at the submountain zone of Seimoh, Gumma Prefecture, in relation to vegetation types. ARI Reports of the Myrmecologists Society (Japan) 16: 2
 * Kondoh M., and Y. Kitazawa. 1984. Ant communities of the campus of UOEH and in an adjacent natural forest. Journal of UOEH 6(3): 221-234.
 * Kupianskaya A. N., Lelej, A.S., and Urbain, B. K. 2000. The Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Kuril Islands. Far Eastern Entomologist. 92:1-21.
 * Kupianskaya, A. N., Lelej, A.S., and Urbain, B. K. 2000. The Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Kuril Islands. Far Eastern Entomologist. 92:1-21.
 * Kupianskaya, A.N., A.S. Lelej and B.K. Urbain. 2000. The ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Kuril Islands. Far Eastern Entomologist 92:1-21
 * Kwon T. S. 2012. Korean ant atlas. Korea Forest Research Institute 162 pages.
 * Kwon T. S. 2015. Ant assemblages along the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range in South Korea: Human roads and temperature niche. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity 8: 152-157.
 * Kwon T. S. 2018. High competition between ant species at intermediate temperatures. Journal of Thermal Biology 72: 59-66.
 * Kwon T. S., S. S. Kim, and J. H. Chun. 2014. Pattern of ant diversity in Korea: An empirical test of Rapoport's altitudinal rule. Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology 17: 161167.
 * Kwon T.S., C. M. Lee, J. H. Chun, J. H. Sung, and S. K. Kim. 2011. Ants in Hongneung forest. Korea Forest Research Institute, 92 pages.
 * Lelej A. S. 2012. Annotated catalogue of the Insects of Russian Far East. Volume 1. Hymenoptera. Dalnauka: Vladivostok. 635 p.
 * Li Z.h. 2006. List of Chinese Insects. Volume 4. Sun Yat-sen University Press
 * Lyu D.P. 2003. Systematics of Myrmicinae from Korea (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). PhD thesis Faculty of the Graduate School of Chungbuk National University 330 pages.
 * Maeto K. and S. Sato. 2004. Impacts of forestry on ant species richness and composition in warm-temperate forests of Japan. Forest Ecology and Management 187: 213223.
 * Manabe K. 1994. Ants of the shrine forest in Fukuoka Prefecture (second report; ants of mountain zone). Ari 17: 8.
 * Mizota K. 2002. A check list of insects in Kinkazan Island, Miyagi Pref., Northeastern Japan: A bibliographical Survey. Bulletin of Miyagi University of Education Environmental Education 5: 69-78.
 * Mizutani A. 1979. A myrmecofaunal survey at Hiyama Experiment Forest, Hokkaido University. Research Bulletin of the College Experiment Forests, Hokkaido University 36:509-516.
 * Mizutani A. 1979. A myrmecofaunal survey at Hiyama Experiment Forest, Hokkaido University. Research Bulletins of the College Experiment Forests Hokkaido University 36(2): 509-516.
 * Morisita M. 1945. Ants of the southern part of Hokkaido, Japan. [In Japanese.] Mushi 16:21-28.
 * Nishizono, Y.; Yamane, S. 1990. The genus Aphaenogaster (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in Kagoshima-ken, southern Japan. [In Japanese.]. Reports of the Faculty of Science, Kagoshima University (Earth Sciences and Biology) 23:23-40.
 * Ogata. K., Touyama, Y. and Choi, B. M. 1994. Ant fauna of Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. ARI Reports of the Myrmecologists Society (Japan) 18: 18-25
 * Paik W.H. 1984. A checklist of Formicidae (Hymenoptera) of Korea. Korean J. Plant Prot. 23(3): 193-195.
 * Pan Y.S. 2007. Systematic Study on the Ant Genera Pheidole Westwood and Aphaenogaster Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formincidae : Myrmicinae) In China. Guangxi Normal University, Guangxi, China. 73 pages.
 * Park S. J., and B. J. Kim. 2000. Systematic study of Pheidolini (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae) in Korea. Korean Journal of Entomology 30: 107-114.
 * Park S.J., and B.J. Kim. 2002. Faunal comparison of ants among Cheongsando and other islands of South Sea in Korea. Korean Journal of Entomology 32(1): 7-12.
 * Park, Seong, Joon and Byung, and Kim, Jin. 2002. Faunal Comparison of Ants among Cheongsando and Other Islands of South Sea in Korea. Korean Jornal of Entomology. 32(1):7-12.
 * Radchenko, A. 2005. Monographic revision of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of North Korea. Annales Zoologici (Warsaw) 55: 127-221.
 * Radchenko, A. 2005. Monographic revision of the ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of North Korea. Annales Zoologici 55(2): 127-221.
 * Sato T., N. Tsurusaki, K. Hamaguchi, and K. Kinomura. 2010. Ant fauna of Tottori prefecture, Honshu, Japan. Bulletin of the Tottori Prefectural Museum 47: 27-44.
 * So, Ha, Seong, Jin, Park, Joon and Byung, and Kim, Jin. 2002. Comparitive Ant Faunas between Seonyudo and Seven other Islands of West Sea in Korea. Korean Journal of Entomology. 32:75-79.
 * Takechi F. 1960. A list of ants unrecorded from Mt. Ishizuchi and Omogo Valley, Iyo, Shikoku (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Transactions of the Shikoku Entomological Society 6:91.
 * Tamura H., Y. Nakamura, K. Yamauchi, and T. Fujikawa. 1969. An ecological survey of soil fauna in Hidaka-Mombetsu, Southern Hokkaido. Journal of the Faculty of Science Hokkaido University, Zoology 17(1): 17-57.
 * Tanaka H. O., T. F. Haraguchi, I. Tayasu, and F. Hyodo. 2019. Stable and radio-isotopic signatures reveal how the feeding habits of ants respond to natural secondary succession in a cool-temperate forest. Insectes Sociaux 66(1): 37-46.
 * Terayama M. 1983. Kagoshima-ken-hondo no ari. Kanagawa-chucho (Journal of the Kanagawa Entomologists Association): 13-24.
 * Terayama M. 1992. Structure of ant communities in East Asia. A. Regional differences and species richness. Bulletin of the Bio-geographical Society of Japan 47: 1-31.
 * Terayama M. 1994. Ants of Okushiri-to Island, Hokkaido. Ari 18: 28-29.
 * Terayama M., K. Ogata, and B.M. Choi. 1994. Distribution records of ants in 47 prefectures of Japan. Ari (report of the Myrmecologists Society of Japan) 18: 5-17.
 * Terayama M., S. Kubota, and K. Eguchi. 2014. Encyclopedia of Japanese ants. Asakura Shoten: Tokyo, 278 pp.
 * Terayama M., and K. Murata. 1990. Effects of area and fragmentation of forests for nature conservation: Analysis by ant communities. Bull. Biogeogr. Soc. Japan 45(2): 11-17.
 * Terayama M., and R. Sonobe. 2002. Ants from the Nasu Imperial Villa, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Flora and fauna of the Tochigi Prefectural Museum research report Nasu Imperial Villa 157-161.
 * Terayama M., and S. Kubota. 2002. Ants of Tokyo, Japan. ARI 26: 1-32.
 * Terayama. M. 1994. Ants of Okushiri-to Island, Hokkaido. ARI Reports of the Myrmecologists Society (Japan) 18: 28-29
 * Terayama. M. 2004. Geological and ecological distribution of Japanese ants communities. (translated from Japanese) Reports of the Saitama Prefecture Animal Research Association. 48:23
 * Terayama. M. 2004. Geological and ecological distribution of Japanese ants communities. (translated from Japanese) Reports of the Saitama Prefecture Animal Research Association. 48:30
 * Terayama. M. 2004. Geological and ecological distribution of Japanese ants communities. (translated from Japanese) Reports of the Saitama Prefecture Animal Research Association. 48:32
 * Teruyama. M. 1988. Ant fauna of Saitama Prefecture, Japan. ARI Reports of the Myrmecologists Society (Japan) 16: 4-13
 * Togashi I., and M. Terayama. 2010. Ant fauna of Hegurajima and Nanatsujima islands, Ishikawa Prefecture. Bull. Biogeoger. Soc. Japan 65: 195-196.
 * Wheeler W. M. 1928. Ants collected by Professor F. Silvestri in Japan and Korea. Bollettino del Laboratorio di Zoologia Generale e Agraria della Reale Scuola Superiore d'Agricoltura. Portici 22: 96-125.
 * Yamane S. 1996. New synonymy in the genus Aphaenogaster Mayr (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Species Diversity 1: 111-115.
 * Yamane S., S. Ikudome, and M. Terayama. 1999. Identification guide to the Aculeata of the Nansei Islands, Japan. Sapporo: Hokkaido University Press, xii + 831 pp. pp, 138-317.
 * Yamane S., Y. Harada, and K. Eguchi. 2013. Classification and ecology of ants. Natural history of ants in Southern Kyushu. 200 pages
 * Yamane S.; Ikudome, S.; Terayama, M. 1999. Identification guide to the Aculeata of the Nansei Islands, Japan. Sapporo: Hokkaido University Press, xii + 831 pp. pp138-317.
 * Yamauchi K. 1968. Additional Notes on the Ecological Distribution of Ants in Sapporo and the Vicinity . Journal of the Faculty of Science Hokaido University, series VI, Zoology 16(3): 382-395.
 * Yang Jun, Xu Zheng-hui, Mei Xiang-xin, Zhang Ji-ling, Zhao Yu-xiang. 2004. Taxonomy of Ants on the Eastern Slope of Xishan Mountains in Kunming. Journal of Southwest Forestry College 24(4): 26-37.
 * Yoshimura M. 2000. Ants in the island of Hokkaido (Part 3, Part ???) Ants from Islands in Hokkaido, Northern Japan (No. 3, Teuri Island). Rishiri Studies 19: 27-35.
 * Yoshimura M. 2007. List of ants collected in Iwate Prefecture During the 49th Myrmecological congress of Japan. Ari 29: 41.
 * Yoshimura M. 2009. Impact of secondary forest management on ant assemblage composition in the temperate region in Japan. J. Insect. Conservation 13(5): 563-568.
 * Zhou S.-Y. 2001. Ants of Guangxi. Guangxi Normal University Press, Guilin, China, Guilin, China. 255 pp.