Aphaenogaster barbara, Shattuck, S. O., 2008

Shattuck, S. O., 2008, Australian ants of the genus Aphaenogaster (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)., Zootaxa 1677, pp. 25-45 : 28-29

publication ID

21723

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6234138

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/D287D747-C0CA-F1FB-21D3-2E915113512F

treatment provided by

Christiana

scientific name

Aphaenogaster barbara
status

sp. n.

Aphaenogaster barbara   HNS sp. n.

(Figs 1, 2, 21, 22, 24)

Types. Holotype worker, Australia, Queensland, 3km NE Mt. Webb, 15° 03S 145° 09E, 30 April-3 May, 1981, J. E. Feehan ( ANIC) ( ANIC 32-031017); paratype workers, 33 (same data as holotype) ( ANIC 32-001260) ( ANIC, MCZC, QMBA).

Diagnosis. Hairs on venter of head randomly distributed and not forming a distinct psammophore (Fig. 2); head relatively broad (Fig. 21), its posterior margin broadly arched in full face view (Fig. 1); scape relatively short (Fig. 22); erect hairs on mesosomal dorsum tapering to sharp points; propodeal spines long, the dorsal surfaces of propodeum and propodeal spines connected through a gentle concavity followed by a gentle convexity (so that the base of each spine is raised slightly above the dorsal surface of the propodeum) (Fig. 2). This species can be separated from the similar A. kimberleyensis   HNS by the broader head and shorter scapes (see that species for additional notes on separating these taxa).

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). Hairs on venter of head randomly distributed and not forming a distinct psammophore. Mandibular sculpture composed of regularly sized striations. Erect hairs on mesosomal dorsum tapering to sharp points. Propodeal spines long. Dorsal surfaces of propodeum and propodeal spines connected through a gentle concavity followed by a gentle convexity (so that the base of each spine is raised slightly above the dorsal surface of the propodeum). Petiolar node (in dorsal view) longer than broad.

Measurements. Worker (n = 12). CI 84-91; EI 17-20; EL 0.20-0.24; HL 1.22-1.51; HW 1.04-1.29; ML 1.82-2.17; MTL 1.23-1.62; SI 133-156; SL 1.55-1.82.

Material examined (in ANIC unless otherwise noted). Queensland: 10km E Mareeba (Lowery,B.B.); 12km N Collinsville (Lowery,B.B.); 14km W by N Hope Vale Mission (Feehan,J.E.); 15km S Eton (Lowery,B.B.); 15mi. W Mt. Garnet (Lowery,B.B.); 20km N Monto (Lowery,B.B.); 24mi. NE Clermont (Dowse,J.E.; Lowery,B.B.); 25km W Mt. Garnet (Lowery,B.B.); 30mi. N Tambo (Lowery,B.B.); 39mi. NNW Taroom; 50km S Mackay (Lowery,B.B.); 5km E Pentland (Lowery,B.B.); 8km E Woodstock (Greenslade,P.J.M.); Camel Ck. Stn (Harrington,S.A.); Emu Creek, Mareeba (Lowery,B.B.); Expedition Ra., 50km E Rolleston (Lowery,B.B.); Koah (Wheeler,W.M.); Mareeba, 3km along Davies Ck. Road (Lowery,B.B.); Mundubbera(Lowery,B.B.); vic. Mt. Garnet (Taylor,R.W.).

Comments. This is a fairly common and widely distributed Queensland species (Fig. 24) which had previously been confused with A. pythia   HNS . However, it differs significantly from A. pythia   HNS and there is little chance of confusing these two species. Aphaenogaster barbara   HNS occurs in drier forested habitats such as dry sclerophyll and savannah woodlands. Nests are typical for the genus with large funnel-shaped entrances.

ANIC

Australia, Australian Capital Territory, Canberra City, CSIRO, Australian National Insect Collection

MCZC

USA, Massachusetts, Cambridge, Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology

QMBA

Australia, Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland Museum

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Hymenoptera

Family

Formicidae

Genus

Aphaenogaster

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