Aphaenogaster famelica

This is the most common Japanese species of Aphaenogaster. It is found in lowland areas of eastern Japan, and ranges from lowlands to mountainous areas in the west. Nests are found in open soil or under stones in woodlands and their margins. Gastral turn-down is apparently absent in foraging workers (Japanese Ant Image Database).

Identification
Aphaenogaster erabu, which inhabits Kuchinoerabu-jima and the Tokara Islands, Japan, is distinguished from this species by its yellowish brown body color and elongate propodeal spines, and by the downwards turning of the gasters in foraging workers (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

 * . Ischnomyrmex famelicus Smith, F. 1874: 405 (w.) JAPAN.
 * [Misspelled as famelias by Chapman & Capco, 1951: 135.]
 * Wheeler, W.M. 1928d: 102 (q.m.); Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1953b: 60 (l.); Imai, 1966: 131 (k.).
 * Combination in Aphaenogaster: Mayr, 1879: 669; Forel, 1900e: 267; Emery, 1908c: 324;
 * combination in Stenamma (Ischnomyrmex): Forel, 1901h: 61;
 * combination in Stenamma (Aphaenogaster): Wheeler, W.M. 1906c: 315;
 * combination in Aphaenogaster (Attomyrma): Emery, 1921f: 57.
 * Status as species: Mayr, 1879: 669 (redescription); Dalla Torre, 1893: 102; Forel, 1900e: 267; Forel, 1901h: 61; Wheeler, W.M. 1906c: 315; Emery, 1908c: 324; Yano, 1910: 420; Emery, 1921f: 57; Wheeler, W.M. 1927d: 2; Wheeler, W.M. 1928d: 102; Wheeler, W.M. 1930h: 62; Morisita, 1945: 22; Azuma, 1951: 87; Chapman & Capco, 1951: 131, 135; Azuma, 1953: 2; Azuma, 1955: 79; Imai, 1971: 137; Azuma, 1977: 113; Onoyama, 1980: 197; Collingwood, 1981: 26; Nishizono & Yamane, 1990: 26; Ogata, 1991b: 85; Morisita, et al. 1992: 17; Bolton, 1995b: 69; Wu, J. & Wang, 1995: 115; Yamane, 1996: 113; Park & Kim, 2000: 108 (in key); Imai, et al. 2003: 180; Eguchi, 2003: 340; Radchenko, 2005b: 133; Guénard & Dunn, 2012: 39.
 * Senior synonym of frontosa: Yamane, 1996: 113.
 * Senior synonym of ruida: Yamane, 1996: 113.
 * Senior synonym of vapida: Yamane, 1996: 113.
 * frontosa. Aphaenogaster (Attomyrma) famelica subsp. frontosa Wheeler, W.M. 1928d: 104 (w.) JAPAN.
 * Status as species: Azuma, 1977: 113.
 * Subspecies of famelica: Chapman & Capco, 1951: 132; Onoyama, 1980: 197; Ogata, 1991b: 85; Bolton, 1995b: 69.
 * Junior synonym of famelica: Yamane, 1996: 113.
 * ruida. Aphaenogaster (Attomyrma) famelica subsp. ruida Wheeler, W.M. 1928d: 104 (q.) JAPAN.
 * [Misspelled as rudia by Ogata, 1991b: 86.]
 * Status as species: Collingwood, 1976: 302; Bolton, 1995b: 72; Park & Kim, 2000: 108 (error).
 * Subspecies of famelica: Chapman & Capco, 1951: 132; Onoyama, 1980: 197; Ogata, 1991b: 86.
 * Junior synonym of famelica: Yamane, 1996: 113.
 * vapida. Aphaenogaster (Attomyrma) vapida 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 famelica: Yamane, 1996: 113.

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