Aphaenogaster aktaci

A. aktaci was found in pitfall traps, set in a 50-70 years-old chestnut forest in Izmir-Bozdag, and in a 25-35 years-old oak forest.

Identification
Salata and Borowiec (2018) - A member of the Aphaenogaster splendida group.

Kiran et al. (2008) - scapus distinctly surpassing occipital margin, funicular segments 2–6 that are 1.5 times longer than broad, and body sculpture dense and superficial (denser and more superficial than in obsidiana group). Aphaenogaster aktaci clearly differs from Aphaenogaster gibbosa, collected from Spain, especially by the large reticular sculptures on the head, stronger and deeper longitudinal rugae on the mesosoma and more distinct punctuation on the nodes. It also differs from Caucasian species by its large reticular sculptures without any punctuation and stronger and deeper longitudinal mesosomal rugae.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Greece, Turkey.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  aktaci. Aphaenogaster (Attomyrma) aktaci Kiran & Tezcan, in Kiran, et al. 2008: 690, fig. 1 (w.) TURKEY.

Taxonomic Notes
Kiran et al. (2008) placed this species in the Aphaenogaster gibbosa group sensu Schulz (1994), but Salata & Borowiec (2018b) suggest it belongs to the A. splendida group due to slimmer body, longer legs and antennae, more oval head and stronger sculpture of head than in any member of the gibbosa group (Salata & Borowiec 2018a).

Worker
Head longer than broad, broadest below eyes, occipital margins oval, without edge, occiput slightly concave. The sculpture of the head dorsum distinct, irregular and rough but not as rough as obsidiana group, from the middle of the head to occiput with various sized reticulate, increasing in size near to the occiput. Internal surfaces of reticulation without punctuations. Frontal area raised and carinate. Clypeus with a few weakly developed striae, anterior border of clypeus rather broad and shallowly notched in the middle. Mandibles well developed, triangular shaped, with few longitudinal striae and with 4 distinct teeth. Scapus surpassing occipital margin distinctly and not thickening towards the funiculus as obsidiana group. 2–6 funicular segments 1.5 times longer than broad without antennal club. Mesosoma not as robust as in obsidiana group being a little more prolonged, having regular distinct rugae appearing matt; mesonotum distinctly raised behind the pronotum. Metanotal groove distinct. Propodeal spines well developed and sharp. Propodeal dorsum smooth. Dorsum of nodes with 2–3 longitudinal striae and weakly punctuate. Gaster smooth and shiny; base of first gastral tergite longitudinally sculptured (as in the gibbosa group). Body with light brown, rather sparse, thick, erect hairs. Colour, reddish brown, head and gaster darker, legs lighter. All the body matt, except gaster.

Type Material
Holotype – worker: Turkey, Izmir-Bozdag-Golcuk Village 2 km E, (38°19' N, 28°06' E), 1160 m a.s.l., 09.VI.2001, 01/1295a (leg. S. Tezcan) (TU).

Paratypes: 49 workers, from same locality as the holotype, 28.IV.2001: 01/1222a, 1225a; 26.V.2001: 01/1270b, 1272c, 1274a; 09.VI.2001: 01/1291c, 1293a, 1294, 1295a; 01.VII.2001: 01/1310c, 1311b, 1318a; 10.VII.2001: 01/1332d; 22.VII.2001: 01/1352d; 03.VIII.2001: 01/1370b, 1374a, 17.VIII.2001: 01/1394b, 1395b, 1397b, 1398; 30.VIII.2001: 01/1417b, 1419a; 29.IX.2001: 01/1466; 13.X.2001: 01/1489 (leg. S. Tezcan) (TU, LEMT); 7 workers, Turkey, Izmir SE of Bozdag and 2 km of Golcuk Lake, (38°18' N, 28°02' E), 1030 m a.s.l., 14.IV.2001: 01/1207; 03.VIII.2001: 01/1375f; 17.VIII.2001: 01/1400a (leg. S. Tezcan) (TU).

Etymology
This species is dedicated to Prof. N. Aktac who thoroughly managed this study from the beginning.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Borowiec L. 2014. Catalogue of ants of Europe, the Mediterranean Basin and adjacent regions (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Genus (Wroclaw) 25(1-2): 1-340.
 * Kiran K., N. Aktaç, and S. Tezcan. 2008. Three new species of ants, genus Aphaenogaster (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Turkey. Biologia 63 (5): 689-695.
 * Salata S., and L. Borowiec. 2018. Taxonomic and faunistic notes on Greek ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Annals of the Upper Silesian Museum in Bytom Entomology 27: 1-51.