Aphaenogaster miamiana

Identification
Aphaenogaster miamiana is within the Aphaenogaster rudis clade but can be distinguished by the more rugose sculpturing on the head and mesosoma, and by a missing intron in the gene CAD (DeMarco and Cognato, in prep.). (DeMarco, 2015)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Nearctic Region: United States. Neotropical Region: Mexico.

Nomenclature

 *  miamiana. Aphaenogaster (Attomyrma) texana var. miamiana Wheeler, W.M. 1932a: 5 (w.q.m.) U.S.A.
 * Subspecies of texana: Smith, M.R. 1951a: 798.
 * Status as species: Creighton, 1950a: 145; Smith, D.R. 1979: 1361; Bolton, 1995b: 71; Umphrey, 1996: 558 (in key).
 * Senior synonym of azteca: Mackay & Mackay, 2017: 310.
 * azteca. Aphaenogaster fulva var. azteca Enzmann, J. 1947b: 150 (w.) MEXICO.
 * [First available use of Stenamma (Aphaenogaster) fulvum subsp. aquia var. aztecum Emery, 1895c: 305; unavailable name.]
 * Subspecies of fulva: Bolton, 1995b: 68.
 * Status as species: Shattuck & Cover, 2016: 12.
 * Junior synonym of miamiana: Mackay & Mackay, 2017: 310.

Type Material
Described from eight workers, three females and a male taken by A. E. Wight at Miami, Florida (type-locality), two females from the same locality taken by M. Hebard, several workers collected by myself on Paradise Key and at Planter on Key Largo and three workers from Biscayne Bay (Mrs. A. T. Slosson).



A single worker labeled as “Aphaenogaster fulvum aquia var. aztecum Em, Mexico” and “from Emery” and matching Emery’s description is held in the. While not labeled as a type it seems highly likely that if not a true type this specimen was certainly identified by Emery and is likely to be conspecific with the true type material.

Worker
Length 5-5.7 mm.

More robust and averaging larger than the other forms of texana: head broader and less narrowed behind, though without posterior corners, the postocular outline from above semicircular; antennal scapes stouter and slightly shorter; epinotal spines longer, slender and acute. Sculpture decidedly coarser throughout, mandibles, clypeus and head more strongly longitudinally rugose; pronotum and base of epinotum transversely, sides of thorax longitudinally rugulose. Pubescence on legs somewhat more distinct and more abundant. Rich ferruginous red, antennae paler, posterior portion of gaster dark brown; coxae and legs yellow-brown.

Queen
(dealated). Length about 7 mm.

Smaller than the female of the typical texana which measures 8-8.5 mm. and exhibiting the same differences in sculpture, pilosity and color as the worker.

Male
Length 4.5 mm.

Very similar to the male of the typical texana but the head slightly broader and the epinotal protuberances of a different shape, being less swollen and not separated by a longitudinal dorsal impression. Mesonotum less shining and more sharply rugulose posteriorly.