Aphaenogaster mediterrae, Shattuck, Steven O, 2008

Shattuck, Steven O, 2008, Australian ants of the genus Aphaenogaster (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zootaxa 1677, pp. 25-45 : 39-40

Aphaenogaster mediterrae sp. n.

( Figs 11, 12 , 19, 20 , 28 )

Types. Holotype worker, Australia, Western Australia, 21mi. NWbyW Balladonia Motel, 32°12’S 123°19’E, 4 Nov. 1969, Key and Upton (ANIC) (ANIC32- 031016); paratypes, 30 workers and one male (same data as holotype) (ANIC32-001084) (ANIC, MCZC, WAMP).

Diagnosis. Majority of hairs on venter of head located laterally and forming a distinct psammophore ( Fig. 21 ); eye relatively large (EI greater than 21, Fig. 19 ); scape relatively long (SI greater than 106, Fig. 20 ). 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). 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.

Material examined (in ANIC unless otherwise noted). South Australia: 15mi. SE Streaky Bay (Greaves,T.); 31mi. SE Colona (Greaves,T.); 3km ENE Mt. Centre (Greenslade,P.J.M.); 40km ENE Yantanabie (Taylor,R.W., Bartell,R.J. & Lowery,B.B.); 41km WbyS Nullabor (Taylor,R.W.); 8km N McLachlan Siding, Eyre Peninsula (Greenslade,P.J.M.); Blyth (Lowery,B.B.); c. 18km SSE Poochera (Taylor,R.W. & Bartell,R.J.); Ceduna (Riek,E.F.; Casparson,K.); Cowell (Lowery,B.B.); Inkster, SW Poochera (Casparson,K.); Koongawa (Moddev,M.); NW Yaninee, Eyre Penin. (Casparson,K.); Poochera (Taylor,R.W. & Bartell,R.J.); Port Wakefield (Bogisch,G.P., ANIC, MCZC); Streaky Bay (Greenslade,P.; Lowery,B.B.; McAreavey,J.); Victoria Desert, 1km W Emu Camp (Greenslade,P.J.M.). Western Australia: 10km SW Mt. Ragged (Taylor,R.W.); 11km W Balladonia motel (Brown,W.L., MCZC); 12mi. NW Mt. Ragged (Greaves,T.); 13mi. ESE Ravensthorpe (Greaves,T.); 16mi. N Mt. Ragged (Taylor,R.W.); 16mi. W Coonana (Taylor,R.W.); 20km S Norseman (Lowery,B.B.); 21mi. NWbyW Balladonia Motel (Key,K.H.L. & Upton,M.S.); 22km N Norseman (Browning,G.P.); 23km ESE of Cocklebiddy (Taylor,R.W.); 23mi. W Eucla (Greaves,T.); 23mi. W Fraser Rge. HS (Taylor,R.W.); 25mi. S Coolgardie (Riek,E.F.); 26 m. E of Madura Stn. (Greaves,T. & Calaby,J.H.); 30mi. E Balladonia Stn (Greaves,T.); 38mi. N Balladonia HS (Taylor,R.W.); 46mi. SSW Coolgardie (Taylor,R.W.); 4mi. S Ravensthorpe (Lowery,B.B.); 50mi. S Coolgardie (Riek,E.F.); 6km S Norseman (Feehan,J.E.); 6mi. W Coonana (Taylor,R.W.); 71km E Balladonia (Browning,G.P. & Mutze,G.J.); 8km E Caiguna (Heterick,B.E.) ( JDMC); 90mi. E Balladonia (Greaves,T.); Ethel Creek (Varris,P.A.) ( JDMC); Goora Hill [Gora Hill] (Greaves,T.); Junana Rock, on Balladonia Rd. (Taylor,R.W.); Mt. Ragged (Lowery,B.B.); Norseman (Lowery,B.B., ANIC; Wilson,E.O., MCZC); Salmon Gums (Lowery,B.B.); Salmon Gums, 70mi. N Esperance (Lowery,B.B.).

Comments. Aphaenogaster mediterrae is found in mallee and open woodlands from the Adelaide region west across the Nullabor Plain to south-central Western Australia ( Fig. 28 ). Nests are generally in sand with cone or funnel-shaped entrances. This species was previously confused with A. barbigula .

Figures

FIGURES 7 – 12. A. kimberleyensis sp. n., holotype worker: Fig. 7, front of head; Fig. 8, lateral view of body. A. longiceps (Smith), worker: Fig. 9, front of head; Fig. 10, lateral view of body. A. mediterrae sp. n., holotype worker: Fig. 11, front of head; Fig. 12, lateral view of body.

FIGURES 19 – 20. Fig. 19, eye length versus head width measurements for A. barbigula, A. mediterrae and A. poultoni; Fig. 20, scape length versus head width measurements for A. barbigula, A. mediterrae and A. poultoni.

FIGURES 24 – 29. Distribution of material examined during this study: Fig. 24, A. barbara; Fig. 25, A. barbigula; Fig. 26, A. kimberleyensis; Fig. 27, A. longiceps; Fig. 28, A. mediterrae; Fig. 29, A. poultoni.

FIGURES 21 – 22. Fig. 21, head length versus head width measurements for A. barbara and A. kimberleyensis; Fig. 22, scape length versus head width measurements for A. barbara and A. kimberleyensis.