Aphaenogaster sporadis

Menozzi (1936) called this species very common on Rhodes up to an altitude of 800 m (Boer, 2013).

Identification
A member of the A. testaceopilosa group. Boer (2013) - The worker of A. sporadis resemble Aphaenogaster balcanica. Especially freshly collected A. sporadis are remarkably matt. Head is smaller than in related species. The petioles of the gynes are wider than in A. balcanica. Aphaenogaster balcanica males are on the lateral sides partly glossy, while A. sporadis is matt.


 * Key to European Aphaenogaster workers

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Greece.

Nomenclature

 *  sporadis. Aphaenogaster simonellii var. sporadis Santschi, 1933c: 401, figs. 14, 37 (w.m.) GREECE. Raised to species: Boer, 2013: 87.

Description
Boer (2013):

Worker
Lateral sides of mesosoma with longitudinal rugulae. Pronotal dorsum scabriculous or only punctate. Dorsal side of propodeum mainly without rugulae. Head in full-face view with distinct longitudinal rugulae with cross-connections. Head in full-face view, mesosoma, terminal side of propodeum, beneath the propodeal spines and petioles punctate. Dorsal side of postpetiole with longitudinal costulae which continue on first gastral tergite in microstriae. Head in full-face view, mesosoma and petioles matt. Dorsal side of gaster matt satin to satin. Lateral sides of gaster wax glossy to slightly shiny. Antennal club 4-segmented. Lateral shape of petiole less variable than in other species: shape of descending half relatively long and narrow. Setosity on fore coxa and pronotum longer than on other parts.

Measurements (n = 36). CI 66–76 (72); CL 1.32–1.59 (1.50) mm; CW 0.86–1.16 (1.05) mm; PHI 30–36 (32); PI 71–86 (78); PPPI 46–59 (52); PSI 113–200 (161); PSLWI 100–146 (125); PWI 20–25 (22); RPH 125–168 (144); RPSI 12–73 (46); SI 140–170 (155); SI/CI 195–247 (216); SL 1.41–1.80 (1.67) mm; SPD 1–2 (1.2); SPL 1–5 (4.2).

Queen
Head in full-face view with longitudinal rugulae with cross connections, occiput ruguloreticulated. Anterior side of pronotum with transverse rugulae. Terminal side of propodeum, beneath the propodeal spines transversely costulate. Lateral sides mesonotum with longitudinal rugulae. Pronotum and dorsal sides of petioles scabriculous. Longitudinal rugulose on clypeus, head (exclusive occiput), mesoscutum, scutellum, propodeum and anterior side of postpetiole. Transversely rugulose on terminal side of postpetiole. Punctation present between rugulae on head, and everywhere on lateral and dorsal sides of mesosoma and petioles. Anterior side of first gastral tergite with longitudinal microstriae, except fifteen transverse microstriae near base of first gastral tergite. Anterior side of petiole smooth. Mesosoma matt with some shine from the punctation. Gaster dorsally satin. Antennal club 4-segmented. Scutellum rises distinctly above mesoscutum and bends entirely over metanotum.

Measurements (n = 1). CI 82; CL 1.55 mm; CW 1.29 mm; OCI 31; PHI 49; PI 79; PPPI 89; PSI 193; PSLWI 73; PWI 39; RPH 127; RPSI 35; SI 127; SI/CI 155; SL 1.61 mm; SPD 1.5; SPL 6.

Male
Dorsal side of mesonotum striate. Lateral sides of propodeum with or without rugulae. Punctation on head and mesosoma. Anterior side of propodeal dorsum could be partly smooth. Clypeus weakly longitudinally rugulose. Gaster dorsally microreticulated, with hardly visible microstriation. Mandibles smooth, less shiny than in other species, more dull. Head, mesoscutum and (largely on) propodeum matt, dorsal side of gaster at least near base satin, other parts wax glossy. Antennal club 5-segmented. Pubescence on scape and hind tibia appressed to suberect, shorter than their diameter. Scutellum erected above the mesoscutum, partly bent over the metanotum. Head without frontal midline. Except the apical tooth and tooth 2, the masticatory margin of the mandibles is set with denticles. A distinct groove between the two spines at the terminal side of the propodeum. Anterior clypeal margin slightly convex, in middle hardly concave. A distinct transverse groove in middle of propodeal dorsum, posterior part of the propodeum being raised. Propodeum dentate or with coarse spines.

Measurements (n = 4). CI 87–89 (88); CL 0.89–0.90 (0.90) mm; CW 0.79–0.80 (0.80) mm; EYI 37–44 (41); OCI 45–49; SL/CL 44–47; SL 0.42–0.44 (0.43) mm.

Type Material
Syntypes: Greece, Nikaria: 1 male (Von Oetz, ; labelled: A. campana v. sporadis) and 1 worker (without head) and 1 male (same label, MNLB).