Aphaenogaster mediterrae

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.



Holotype worker of A. mediterrae

Nomenclature
Aphaenogaster mediterrae Shattuck,S.O. (2008). Australian ants of the genus Aphaenogaster (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa. 1677 : 25–45 (p. 39).

Type Material
 * Holotype, 21mi. NWbyW Balladonia Motel, 32° 12'S 123° 19 'E, Western Australia (ANIC (Canberra): worker (32-031016)).
 * Paratype, 21mi. NWbyW Balladonia Motel, 32° 12'S 123° 19 'E, Western Australia (ANIC (Canberra): 34 workers, 1 male (32-001084)).
 * Paratype, 21mi. NWbyW Balladonia Motel, 32° 12'S 123° 19 'E, Western Australia (MCZ (Cambridge): 3 workers).
 * Paratype, 21mi. NWbyW Balladonia Motel, 32° 12'S 123° 19 'E, Western Australia (WAM (Perth): 3 workers).

Diagnosis
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.

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.

Distribution
Australian National Insect Collection