Aphaenogaster rugulosa

Nests in the soil of woodland, including its margins. Both gastral turn-down while foraging and death-feigning have been observed in the workers.

Identification
Total length of workers around 5 mm. Head and mesosoma blackish brown; antennae, mandibles, legs, petiole, postpetiole and gaster dark brown. Antennae, mesosoma and legs relatively rather short compared to other Japanese Aphaenogaster species. Posterior border of head nearly flat in full face view. Head shining, covered with distinct striae and punctures; longitudinal striae on frontal area reaching occipital carina. Striation on pronotal dorsum more distinct than on head, interspaces shining. Pronotal humeri not angulate. Mesosoma distinctly raised, often higher than pronotum, covered with striae and punctures. Lateral portions of mesopleura covered with striae and punctures, but lacking reticulate sculpture. Propodeal spines rather slender, with acute apices. Similar in body shape to Aphaenogaster japonica and Aphaenogaster edentula. (Japanese Ant Image Database)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Japan.

Biology
Chromosome number 2n=34.

Nomenclature

 *  rugulosa. Aphaenogaster rugulosa Watanabe & Yamane, 1999: 729, fig. 11 (w.q.m.) JAPAN.