Aphaenogaster spinosa

Casevitz-Weulersse (1990a) calculated after an ecological survey from 234 samples in 189 localities, that A. spinosa is one of the most common epigeic ant species on the island of Corsica (France). The species is dominant in nearly every habitat, especially at altitudes below 400 m, but is also present above 1200 m. (Boer, 2013)

Although this species is commonly collected, its distribution area is restricted to central Italy, along the Tyrrhenian Sea, Sardinia and Corsica (Rigato & Toni, 2011).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: France, Italy , Switzerland.

Nomenclature

 *  spinosa. Aphaenogaster testaceopilosa var. spinosa Emery, 1878b: 54, fig. (w.) ITALY. Emery, 1908c: 320 (q.m.). Raised to species: Dalla Torre, 1893: 105. Subspecies of testaceopilosa: Emery, 1908c: 320; Emery, 1916b: 131; Emery, 1921f: 63. Revived status as species: Bondroit, 1918: 162; Santschi, 1933c: 390; Bernard, 1967: 133; Baroni Urbani, 1969a: 326. Senior synonym of nitida, romana and material of the unavailable name corsica referred here: Baroni Urbani, 1971d: 1039; of corsica, etrusca: Boer, 2013: 65. See also: Casevitz-Weulersse, 1990a: 152.
 * corsica. Aphaenogaster corsica Casevitz-Weulersse, 2010: 5, pl. 1, figs. A,C,E (w.m.) FRANCE (Corsica). Junior synonym of spinosa: Boer, 2013: 65.
 * etrusca. Aphaenogaster spinosa subsp. etrusca Baroni Urbani, 1969a: 328, fig. 1 (w.) ITALY. Junior synonym of spinosa: Boer, 2013: 65.
 * nitida. Aphaenogaster testaceopilosa var. nitida Krausse, 1912b: 163 (w.) ITALY. [First available use of Stenamma (Aphaenogaster) testaceopilosum subsp. spinosum var. nitidum Emery, 1895b: 70; unavailable name.] Subspecies of testaceopilosa: Finzi, 1924a: 13; of spinosa: Bondroit, 1918: 162; Santschi, 1933c: 390. Junior synonym of spinosa: Baroni Urbani, 1971d: 1039; Casevitz-Weulersse, 1990a: 152.
 * romana. Aphaenogaster spinosa var. romana Santschi, 1933c: 390 (w.) ITALY. [First available use of Stenamma (Aphaenogaster) testaceopilosum subsp. spinosum var. romanum Emery, 1895b: 70; unavailable name.] Junior synonym of spinosa: Baroni Urbani, 1971d: 1039.

Additional References

 * [[Media:Boer, P. 2013. Revision of the European ants of the Aphaenogaster testaceopilosa group.pdf|Boer, P. 2013. Revision of the European ants of the Aphaenogaster testaceopilosa-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Tijdschrift voor Entomologie 156, 57–93.]]
 * Rigato, F.; Toni, I. 2011. Short notes 21. Hymenoptera, Formicidae. Pp. 873-882 in: Nardi, G.; Whitmore, D.; Bardiani, M.; Birtele, D.; Mason, F.; Spada, L.; Cerretti, P. (eds.) 2011. Biodiversity of Marganai and Montimannu (Sardinia). Research in the framework of the ICP Forests network. Conservazione Habitat Invertebrati, 5. Sommacampagna, Verona: Cierre Edizioni, 896 pp.