identifier	taxonID	type	CVterm	format	language	title	description	additionalInformationURL	UsageTerms	rights	Owner	contributor	creator	bibliographicCitation
03EB87D5FFBEBC32FF7604B7FB873506.text	03EB87D5FFBEBC32FF7604B7FB873506.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aphaenogaster fiorii Emery 1915	<div><p>Aphaenogaster fiorii Emery, 1915 stat. nov.</p> <p>Published records (excluding bibliographic checklists). As A. gibbosa fiorii in EMERY (1915) (type material – examined) and as A. fiorii in ALICATA (1999).</p> <p>Misidentified as A. crocea sicula in BARONI URBANI (1968) (material examined), as A. sicula in SCHEMBRI &amp; COLLINGWOOD (1981) (material examined).</p> <p>Material published by GRANDI (1935) could not be examined.</p> <p>Type material examined. LECTOTYPE (here designated): 1 ☿, Sicilia / Nicolosi / 24.IV.’912 / leg. A. Fiori // Aphaen. gibbosa fiorii Emery (handwritten) // LECTOTYPUS / des. Alicata &amp; Schifani 2018 // Coll. C. Emery / Museo Genova //ANTWEB / CASENT0904175 // Aphaenogaster fiorii / det. Alicata &amp; Schifani 2018 [Nicolosi (CT) – MSNG]. PARALECTOTYPE: 1 ☿, Sicilia / Nicolosi / 24.IV.’912 / leg. A.Fiori // PARALECTOTYPUS / des. Alicata &amp; Schifani 2018 // Coll. C. Emery / Museo Genova // Aphaenogaster fiorii / det. Alicata &amp; Schifani 2018 [Nicolosi (CT) – MSNG]. 1☿, Sicilia / Nicolosi / 24.IV.’912 / leg. A.Fiori // Aphaen. gibbosa fiorii Emery // PARALECTOTYPUS / des. Alicata &amp; Schifani 2018 // Coll.A. Forel // Aphaenogaster fiorii / det. Alicata &amp; Schifani 2018 [Nicolosi (CT) – MHNG].</p> <p>Additional material examined. MALTESE ISLANDS: M ġ arr, Gozo, 23.iv.1965, leg. C. Baroni Urbani, sub. A. crocea sicula (BARONI URBANI 1968) (MSNV); Mistra, Malta, 22.iv.1965, leg. C. Baroni Urbani, sub. A. crocea sicula (BARONI URBANI 1968) (MSNM, MSNV); Buskett, Malta, 15.iv.1965, leg. C. Baroni Urbani, sub. A. crocea sicula (BARONI URBANI 1968) (MSNV); Tal-Blata (Selmun), Malta, 04.ix.1978, leg. S.P. Schembri, sub A.sicula (SCHEMBRI &amp; COLLINGWOOD 1981) (SSLM); Buskett, Malta, vi.1975, vi.1976, ix.1976, leg. S. P. Schembri, sub A. sicula (SCHEMBRI &amp; COLLINGWOOD 1981) (SSLM); Ghajn Tuffieha, Malta, 27.xii.1975, sub A. sicula (SCHEMBRI &amp; COLLINGWOOD 1981), leg. S. P. Schembri (SSLM); Wied Qannotta, Malta, 25.iii.1978, sub A. sicula (SCHEMBRI &amp; COLLINGWOOD 1981), leg. S. P. Schembri (SSLM); Dingli, Buskett, Malta, mixed forest, 29.x.1997, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); Golden Bay, M ġ arr, Malta, Mediterranean maquis, 31.x.1997, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); Golden Bay, M ġ arr, Gozo, Malta, meadow, 31.x.1997, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); San Blas, Gozo, Malta, 36°03 ′ 22.20 ″ N, 14°18 ′ 04.39 ″ E, area populated by marginal synanthropic vegetation near crops, 19.xi.2017, 25 m, leg. R. Viviano (ESPI); Marfa, Malta, 35°59 ′ 12.78 ″ N 14°19 ′ 51.26 ″ E, 5 m, small area populated by Limonium melitense between a road and a sandy beach in a touristic area, 19.xi.2017, leg. A. Dentici (ESPI). ITALY: SICILY: Pendici M. Pagano, Caronia (ME), Sicily, Italy, Quercus suber forest, 300 m, 07.xi.1987, pitfall traps, leg. D. Caruso (AACI); F. S. Paolo, Francavilla (ME), Sicily, Italy, 37°56 ′ 30.27 ″ N, 15°5 ′ 57.81 ″ E, 500 m, deciduous forest of the Quercus pubescens group, 28.vi.1993, leg. A. Alicata (AACI, MSNM); V.ne Calcinara, Sortino (SR), Sicily, Italy, 37°8 ′ 40.50 ″ N, 14°56 ′ 56.98 ″ E, 565 m, deciduous forest of the Quercus pubescens group, 25.vii.1995, leg.A.Alicata (AACI); Bosco S. Maria La Stella,Aci S.Antonio (CT), Sicily, Italy, 37°38 ′ 3.62 ″ N, 15°7 ′ 1.04 ″ E, 395 m, deciduous forest of the Quercus pubescens group, 10.iii.1997, leg.A. Alicata (AACI); Palazzolo Acreide (SR), Sicily, Italy, private garden near the archaeological area, 5.vi.1998, leg.A.Alicata (AACI); Bosco di Baulì, Noto (SR), Sicily, Italy, 37°01 ′ 53.28 ″ N, 14°56 ′ 21.57 ″ E, 620 m, Quercus ilex forest, 12.vii.1998, leg.A.Alicata (AACI); Pratofiorito,Adrano (CT), Sicily, Italy, 37°42 ′ 59.90 ″ N, 14°52 ′ 5.17 ″ E, 1,000 m, Quercus ilex forest, 18.v.2002, leg.G.Carcò (AACI); R.N.O.Grotta Conza (PA), Sicily, Italy, mixed forest, 27.vi.2006, pitfall traps, leg.R.Grasso (AACI); Buonriposo (EN), Sicily, Italy, 37°36 ′ 20.0 ″ N, 14°14 ′ 41.4 ″ E, 700 m, Quercus pubescens group, pitfall trap, 6.xi.2007, leg. A. Alicata (AACI).</p> <p>Worker redescription (Figs 3, 4, 9, 12, 13). Measurements and indices (42 individuals, 8 localities): HL: 1.14 ± 0.06 (1.05–1.27); HW: 0.97 ± 0.07 (0.82–1.15); CI: 85.28 ± 2.66 (78.57–93.75); FW: 0.85 ± 0.06 (0.75–1.00); SL: 1.23 ± 0.6 (1.12–1.37); SI: 126.48 ± 4.93 (117.77–139.39); MW: 0.61 ± 0.04 (0.52–0.75); ML: 1.53 ± 0.08 (1.37–1.75). Whole body yellow except for first gastral segment which is darker. Head subrectangular, lateral margins under eyes slightly rounded, posterior margin of head straight. Anterior margin of clypeus gradually convex, mandibles rounded. Antennae with twelve segments, antennal club with four segments. Promesonotal suture only slightly marked, the two forming almost continuous dorsal profile in lateral view. In lateral view dorsal profile of metanotum presents slight depression or it is straight. Dorsal profile of propodeum mostly straight, spines variable in size but always well-defined, often oriented upwards. Sculpture relatively weak and shiny in general. Head finely reticulated with longitudinal striae mostly limited to lateral areas under eyes, sparsely present above eyes and variably on mandibles. Mesepisternum and propodeum reticulated with fine longitudinal striae, pronotum finely imbricate, gaster smooth, petiole and postpetiole finely imbricate to reticulate. Suberect and erect setae sparse all over head, decumbent setae on mandibles, adpressed setae on scapes and adpressed to subdecumbent setae on flagellomeres. Long setae extending down from clypeus. Erect setae over dorsal surface of mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole, and all over gaster. Mostly adpressed, partly suberect setae on legs, with sparse erect setae on coxae and femora.</p> <p>Male description (Figs 20, 21, 26, 29, 30). Measurements and indices (3 individuals, 1 locality): HL: 0.68 ± 0.01; HW: 0.72 ± 0.02; CI: 106.12 ± 4.31; FW: 0.46 ± 0.01; SL: 0.20 ± 0.00; SI: 27.60 ± 0.95; MW: 0.82 ± 0.02; ML: 1.67 ± 0.04. Whole body yellowish except for head which is dark brown. All appendages paler than rest of body. Head subtrapezoidal, occipital margin rounded, anterior margin of clypeus convex, eyes large and oval. Antennae with thirteen segments, antennal club with five segments. Mesosoma elongated, with anterior gibbous part formed by prothorax, mesothorax and part of metathorax, and posterior part comparatively flat formed by part of metathorax and propodeum. Promesonotal suture well marked, pronotum and mesonotum convex in lateral view, rounded on side. Metathorax arched, consisting of subvertical and subhorizontal part. Subhorizontal part, in dorsal view, becomes very narrow in proximity of subvertical part. Propodeum not much thicker than horizontal part of metathorax in lateral view. Propodeal spines are absent and only represented by two tubercles. Petiole elongated, petiolar node and postpetiolar node rounded, both dorsally presenting shallow longitudinal suture in center. Scape very short, covered by rare decumbent setae, decumbent to subdecumbent setae also present on head, mesosoma and legs, a few erect setae on mesosoma, coxae, petiole and postpetiole and suberect to erect setae on gaster. Head finely reticulated, rest of body smooth and shiny.</p> <p>Queen description (Figs 35, 36, 41). Measurements and indices (4 individuals, 2 localities): HL: 1.48 ± 0.04; HW: 1.46 ± 0.03; CI: 98.75 ± 0.01; FW: 1.25 ± 0.04; SL: 1.42 ± 0.04; SI: 97.42 ± 1.01; MW: 1.35 ± 0.03; ML: 2.53 ± 0.04. Whole body yellowish, with darker areas on gaster. Head subrectangular, lateral surface below eyes slightly rounded, posterior margin of head straight.Anterior margin of clypeus slightly convex, mandibles rounded. Antennae with twelve segments, antennal club with four segments. Pronotum rounded in dorsal view, propodeal spines relatively long, horizontal and with wide base. Petiole with long peduncle and node convex on both sides, postpetiole with anterior concave side and posterior slightly convex side. Entire head, except clypeus and occipital margin, densely covered with longitudinal striae. Long and more marked striae are subparallel to each other. Between them, less marked striae can be found often crossing each other. Mesosoma mostly shiny, with horizontal striae appearing in proximity of sutures, across propodeum and posterior faces of petiole and postpetiole. Adpressed to decumbent setae on antennae, suberect to mostly erect setae on head, dorsal part of mesosoma, of petiole and postpetiole and all over gaster. Long setae extending down from clypeus. Adpressed to decumbent setae on legs.</p> <p>Systematic position. Aphaenogaster fiorii stat. nov. was originally described by EMERY (1916) as a subspecies of A. gibbosa (Latreille, 1798), until SALATA &amp; BOROWIEC (2018a) recombined it as A. subterranea fiorii. They excluded A. fiorii stat. nov. from the gibbosa species group on the basis of its body color, head shape, funicular segments, and length of the scape, claiming that these same characters instead make it part of the A. subterranea species group. Due to the degree of morphological differences from any other congeneric species, relevant in all three castes (see also comparative diagnosis), we consider A. fiorii stat. nov. a bona species.</p> <p>Comparative diagnosis. Worker. Yellow color of the body and appendages and the darker first gastral tergite allow to distinguish immediately A. fiorii stat. nov. from the vast majority of other sympatric Aphaenogaster species (with the exception of recently emerged workers whose pigmentation is yellowish in many other species). Among the sympatric species, only in A. splendida fully formed workers can appear similarly colored at first sight, but their mesosoma is much more elongated. Lightly colored young workers of other species or specimens with poorly preserved color can all be excluded by examining the mesosoma in lateral view (Figs 12–19): A. fiorii stat. nov. lacks the typical very marked metanotal groove of A. subterranea s. l., the promesonotal suture is significantly less marked than in A. trinacriae sp. nov., and the mesonotum less rounded and convex than in A. sicula or A. trinacriae sp. nov. Among North African species, none shares the unique mesonotal shape or color pattern of A. fiorii. In addition, A. crocea crocea, A. crocea croceoides Forel, 1890, A crocea splendidoides Forel, 1890, and A. strioloides Forel, 1890 are considerably more sculptured.</p> <p>Male. The male of A. fiorii stat. nov. has a yellowish- brown color (except the head) not to be confused with any other sympatric species if color is well preserved. In addition, only some Aphaenogaster males present a mesosoma with an anterior gibbous part and a comparatively flat posterior part like A. fiorii stat. nov. Among the sympatric species that do so, A. splendida can be easily distinguished at the very first sight by different shape of the metathorax, forming a decisively slenderer area before the propodeum in lateral view (see EMERY 1908, 1916). The male of A. sardoa Mayr, 1853 (see SANTSCHI 1911) is larger, darker, with a visibly less gibbous anterior part and much more abundant erect setae on the body. Aphaenogaster trinacriae sp. nov. and A. sicula present the most similar males, but besides being darker, they do not possess the two tubercles on the propodeum as pronounced and with the same shape. In the case of A. sicula the metathorax also forms a slenderer area before the propodeum, and A. trinacriae is distinguished by the well-developed enlarged flat areas on the sides of the propodeum (better observed in dorsal view).The shape of the mesosoma also distinctively separates A. fiorii stat. nov. from the somewhat similar Maghrebian species: A. crocea (see CAGNIANT 1966), A. faureli Cagniant, 1969 (see CAGNIANT 1969), A. mauritanica Dalla Torre, 1893 (see SANTSCHI 1932, CAGNIANT 1987), A. nadigi Santschi, 1923 (see CAGNIANT 1987), A. strioloides Forel, 1890 (see SANTSCHI 1932), A. theryi Santschi, 1923 (see CAGNIANT 1986, 1996).</p> <p>Queen. As for the other castes, the color pattern of the yellowish queen of A. fiorii stat. nov. is unique among the other sympatric Aphaenogaster (even A. splendida is more reddish and also bears a well-defined transverse black stripe on the gaster). The mesosoma shape is different from most species, and only shares a significant similarity to A. trinacriae sp. nov., A. sicula and A. subterranea s. l. All of them differ in their color as well as spines shape and length: in A. fiorii stat. nov. the spines are both long and thick. Finally, regarding the Maghrebian Aphaenogaster fauna, the scarcity of information in the literature does not allow a proper comparison with their queens.</p> <p>Distribution and biogeographical remarks (Fig. 44). Aphaenogaster fiorii stat. nov. is present both in Sicily (from where it was originally described) and the Maltese islands (at least Malta and Gozo). Its presence in the Maltese islands was unknown until now due to misidentification as A. sicula by BARONI URBANI (1968) and SCHEMBRI &amp; COLLINGWOOD (1981). When BARONI URBANI (1968) affirmed that workers of A. crocea sicula from Malta were more monomorphic than the ones of the same species from Sicily, he was comparing misidentified workers of A. fiorii stat. nov. from Malta to misidentified workers of A. subterranea ichnusa Santschi, 1925 from Sicily (material examined by us, published in BARONI URBANI 1964 – the presence of A. subterranea ichnusa in Sicily is illustrated in SCHIFANI &amp; ALICATA 2018). While in Sicily A. fiorii stat. nov. appears to be distinctively rare, in Malta and Gozo it seems much more common (see also under Ecology). This could be partially explained by the reduced competition due to the reduced richness of the local ant fauna in the Maltese islands, including the Aphaenogaster fauna, which is only represented by A. splendida and a few species of the A. testaceopilosa species group there. Conversely, in Sicily A. trinacriae sp. nov., A. sicula, A. subterranea s. l. and perhaps even A. pallida (Nylander, 1849) may represent more pressuring competitors. The SiculoMaltese chorology is known for many other taxa: Sicily and the Maltese islands were connected by a land bridge at least during the last glacial maximum in correspondence with the Hyblaean Plateau in South-Eastern Sicily (SHACKLETON et al. 1984). To this regard, it is to be noted that A. fiorii stat. nov. is seemingly more common in Eastern Sicily than in Western Sicily. Finally, A. fiorii stat. nov. was once recorded from Sardinia (Iglesias) by GRANDI (1935). Unfortunately, we did not manage to examine any voucher specimen in Grandi’s collection to verify this record. Considering the taxonomic confusion which has affected the identity of this taxon until now, we consider Grandi’s record unlikely to truly refer to A. fiorii stat. nov. and instead possibly related to a misidentification of A. subterranea ichnusa.</p> <p>Ecology. In Malta the species has been frequently collected in thermophilous oak forest, but it has also been found in open areas such as a meadow on a clay soil (the usual habitat of A. sicula in Sicily), a very small coastal area with Limonium melitense surrounded by a road and a touristic facility, and within an area with synanthropic vegetation near crops. Moreover, it was also collected in a Mediterranean maquis. BARONI URBANI (1968, sub A. crocea sicula) found it in areas with a relatively large percentage of organic matter, such as anthropogenic areas characterized by trees, shrubs or herbaceous cover. In Sicily, it was found in oak forests and even indoors in a country house, always at higher altitudes than in the Maltese islands. Aphaenogaster fiorii stat. nov. seems to represent the most ecologically varied of the three species here treated in terms of habitat preferences. It is collected between 5 m and 1,000 m.</p> <p>Conservation. Our data suggest that a large part of the existing global population of this species is concentrated in the relatively small islands of Gozo and Malta, where it is widely distributed. While habitat transformation in these islands probably does not pose a huge risk (see under Ecology), potential future arrivals and outbreaks of dominant invasive ant species may be a serious threat for insular populations, as for example reported in the case of A. hesperia Santschi, 1911 in Tenerife (BARQUÍN 1981). To this regard, exotic ant species new to the Maltese islands unfortunately continue to be found (GÓMEZ 2017, SALATA &amp; BOROWIEC 2018b).</p> <p>Biology. Monogynous (no more than one queen per colony detected in the wild).</p> <p>Phenology. In captive colonies, sexuals began to leave the nest from the second week of July to the first week of August, but no attempt to form an actual nuptial flight was detected (ALICATA 1999). In the wild it can be speculated that nuptial flights may start with the first relevant rains at the end of summer.</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/03EB87D5FFBEBC32FF7604B7FB873506	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Alicata, Antonio;Schifani, Enrico	Alicata, Antonio, Schifani, Enrico (2019): Three endemic Aphaenogaster from the Siculo-Maltese archipelago and the Italian Peninsula: part of a hitherto unrecognized species group from the Maghreb? (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae). Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae (Acta. Ent. Mus. Natl. Pragae) 59 (1): 1-16, DOI: 10.2478/aemnp-2019-0001, URL: http://zoobank.org/0ea032e4-230f-45df-bdeb-6acea88af418
03EB87D5FFBABC3EFEA604E7FD773C46.text	03EB87D5FFBABC3EFEA604E7FD773C46.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aphaenogaster sicula Emery 1908	<div><p>Aphaenogaster sicula Emery, 1908</p> <p>Published records (excluding bibliographic checklists). As Aphaenogaster subterranea var. subterraneo-splendida in EMERY &amp; FOREL (1879) (type material – examined, see EMERY 1908) and as A. crocea sicula in EMERY (1908) (type material – examined) and KUTTER (1927) (material examined).</p> <p>Material under the name A. crocea sicula in BARONI URBANI (1964) belongs to A. subterranea ichnusa (material examined), those in BARONI URBANI (1968) (material examined) and as A. sicula in SCHEMBRI &amp; COLLINGWOOD (1981) (material examined) belong to A. fiorii stat. nov., those in SCUPOLA (2009) (material examined) and LI VIGNI (2014) (pictures examined) belong to A. trinacriae sp. nov.</p> <p>Material published in PETROV (2000) could not be examined, but was most likely misidentified (KARAMAN 2011).</p> <p>Type material examined. LECTOTYPE (here designated): 1 ☿ (top specimen of three☿☿ on one pin), 8.XII.1877 / Mt.Pellegrino /☿ // A. crocea / sicula Emery (handwritten) // Coll. C. Emery / Museo Genova // ANTWEB/ CASENT0904177 // LECTOTYPUS * / des. Alicata &amp; Schifani 2018 // Aphaenogaster sicula det. Alicata &amp; Schifani 2018 [M. Pellegrino (PA), Sicily, MSNG]. PARALECTOTYPES: 2 ☿☿, same as lectotype on the same pin as the lectotype, plus // PARALECTOTYPUS //. 1 ♀, A. crocea / sicula Emery // 8.XII.1877 / Mt. Pellegrino / ♀ // Coll. C. Emery / Museo Genova // PARALECTOTYPUS / des. Alicata &amp; Schifani 2018 // Aphaenogaster sicula det. Alicata &amp; Schifani 2018 [M. Pellegrino (PA), Sicily, MSNG]. 3 ☿☿, A. crocea sicula Emery // 8.XII.1877 / Mt. Pellegrino / ☿ // Coll. A. Forel // PARALECTOTYPUS / des. Alicata &amp; Schifani 2018 // Aphaenogaster sicula det. Alicata &amp; Schifani 2018 [M. Pellegrino (PA), Sicily, MHNG].</p> <p>Additional material examined. ITALY: SICILY: Segesta (AG), Sicily, Italy, 1927, leg. H.Kutter (KUTTER 1927) (MZLS); Pendici di M.Altesina, Nicosia (EN), Sicily, Italy, 37°40 ′ 22.19 ″ N, 14°18 ′ 38.62 ″ E, 840 m, meadow, 30.viii.1993, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); Colle Vampolieri, Acicatena (CT), Sicily, Italy, 37°34 ′ 21.1 ″ N, 15°09 ′ 19.4 ″ E, 140 m, 11.xi.1993, leg. A. Alicata (AACI, MSNM); Lago Arancio, S. Margherita Belice (AG), Sicily, Italy, 37°38 ′ 43.8 ″ N 13°03 ′ 49.9 ″ E, 185 m, meadow near the shore, 11.xii.1993, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); Misilifurmi, Sciacca (AG), Sicily, Italy, meadow, 37°36 ′ 04.4 ″ N, 13°02 ′ 44.8 ″ E, 80 m, 11.xii.1993, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); Ficuzza (PA), Sicily, Italy, 37°53 ′ 6.23 ″ N, 13°22 ′ 41.29 ″ E, 650 m, meadow, 18.ii.1994, leg.A.Alicata (AACI); Baida, Scopello (TP), Sicily, Italy, 38°02 ′ 55.3 ″ N, 12°47 ′ 46.4 ″ E, 390 m, meadow, 1.iii.1994, leg. A.Alicata (AACI); C.da Catuffo, M.Sparagio,Custonaci (TP), Sicily,Italy, 38°02 ′ 33.2 ″ N, 12°45 ′ 12.9 ″ E, 340 m, meadow, 02.iii.1994, leg.A.Alicata (AACI); P.zo Giacolamaro, M. Sparagio, Custonaci (TP), Sicily, Italy, 38°3 ′ 18.70 ″ N, 12°44 ′ 25.08 ″ E, 660 m, meadow, 02.iii.1994, leg.A.Alicata (AACI); SS118 Corleone-Marineo km 26 (PA),Sicily, Italy, 37°51 ′ 08.4 ″ N, 13°18 ′ 50.7 ″ E, 490 m, meadow, 19.ii.1994, leg.A.Alicata (AACI); Gualtieri Sicaminò (ME), Sicily, Italy, 38°9 ′ 27.26 ″ N, 15°19 ′ 27.83 ″ E, 285 m, meadow, 24.xi.1994, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); Lago di Piana, Piana degli Albanesi (PA), Sicily, Italy, 38°3 ′ 18.70 ″ N 12°44 ′ 25.08 ″ E, 600 m, meadow near the shores, 2.iii1994, leg.A.Alicata (AACI); Pendici di M. Scalpello, Catenanuova (EN), Sicily, Italy, 37°33 ′ 5.35 ″ N, 14°40 ′ 54.84 ″ E, 840 m, meadow, 31.iii.1999, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); Monte Pellegrino (PA), Sicily, Italy, 38°10 ′ 22.4 ″ N, 13°21 ′ 03.5 ″ E, 395 m, Pinus reforestation, 12.iv.2016, leg. E. Schifani (ESPI); Gole del Drago (PA), Sicily, Italy, 37°51 ′ 57.1 ″ N, 13°18 ′ 03.1 ″ E, 470 m, meadow near a degraded low Mediterranean maquis, 24.iv.2016, leg. E. Schifani (ESPI); Erice (TP), Sicily, Italy, 38°02 ′ 24.8 ″ N, 12°35 ′ 09.2 ″ E, 700 m, meadow surrounded by Quercus ilex forest and Pinus reforestation, 04.xi.2016, leg. E. Schifani (ESPI); Lago di Prizzi (PA), Sicily, Italy, 37°44 ′ 02.7 ″ N, 13°24 ′ 28.2 ″ E, 650 m, meadow, 22.v.2016, leg. E. Schifani (ESPI); Grotta di S. Teodoro (ME), Sicily, Italy, 38°03 ′ 00.1 ″ N, 14°35 ′ 29.8 ″ E, 135 m, olive crops, xii.2017, leg. E. Genduso (ESPI). ITALIAN PENINSULA: Platì (RC), Italy, 38°13 ′ 05.7 ″ N, 16°02 ′ 54.5 ″ E, 280 m, meadow, 16.xi.1993, leg.A.Alicata (AACI, MSNM); Africo Nuovo (RC), Italy, 38°2 ′ 52.42 ″ N, 16°8 ′ 13.52 ″ E, 20 m,meadow, 17.xi.1993, leg.A.Alicata (AACI); F.mara S.Venere,Samo (RC), Italy, 38°4 ′ 12.57 ″ N, 16°4 ′ 42.10 ″ E, 80 m, meadow, 14.iv.1997, leg. A.Alicata (AACI); P.te Torr.S.Venere,S. Luca (RC), Italy, 38°08 ′ 42.9 ″ N, 16°04 ′ 43.8 ″ E, 80 m, meadow, 20.xi.1993, 23.i.2003,leg.A.Alicata (AACI, MSNM). Bova (RC), Italy, 37°57 ′ 51.9 ″ N 15°55 ′ 21.5 ″ E, 380 m, meadow, 13.xi.2016, leg. E. Schifani (ESPI).</p> <p>Worker redescription (Figs 5, 6, 10, 14, 15). Measurements and indices (90 individuals, 14 localities): HL: 1.05 ± 0.04 (0.95–1.15); HW: 0.90 ± 0.05 (0.80–1.00); CI: 85.35 ± 2.30 (79.54–90.69); FW: 0.77 ± 0.04 (0.67–0.85); SL: 1.10 ± 0.04 (1.00–1.20); SI: 122.50 ± 3.43 (115.00–129.41); MW: 0.58 ± 0.03 (0.52–0.65); ML: 1.37 ± 0.06 (1.25 ± 1.50). Whole body ferruginous, yellowish in freshly emerged workers, except for gaster which is dark brown. Head darker, more brownish than mesosoma and legs. Head subrectangular, lateral margins under eyes slightly rounded, posterior margin of head slightly rounded. Anterior margin of clypeus gradually convex, mandibles rounded. Antennae with twelve segments, antennal club with four segments. Promesonotal suture only slightly marked, the two forming almost continuous dorsal profile in lateral view. In lateral view dorsal profile of metanotum is rounded, dorsal profile of propodeum mostly straight, spines variable, often slightly oriented upwards. Sculpture relatively weak and shiny aspect in general. Head finely reticulated with longitudinal striae mostly limited to lateral areas under eyes, sparsely present above eyes and variably on mandibles. Mesepisternum and propodeum reticulated with fine longitudinal striae, pronotum finely imbricate, gaster smooth, petiole and postpetiole finely imbricate to reticulate. Suberect and erect setae sparse all over head, decumbent setae on mandibles, adpressed setae on scapes and adpressed to subdecumbent setae on flagellomeres. Long setae extending down from clypeus. Erect setae all over dorsal surface of mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole, and all over gaster. Mostly adpressed, partly suberect setae on legs, with sparse erect setae on coxae and femora.</p> <p>Male description (Figs 22, 23, 27, 31, 32). Measurements and indices (5 individuals, 1 locality): HL: 0.60 ± 0.00; HW: 0.63 ± 0.01; CI: 105.00 ± 1.83; FW: 0.39 ± 0.01; SL: 0.17 ± 0.00; SI: 27.78 ± 0.48; MW: 0.69 ± 0.01; ML: 1.38 ± 0.02. Whole body brown, head and thorax sometimes slightly darker than abdomen, appendages paler than rest of body. Head subtrapezoidal, occipital margin rounded, anterior margin of clypeus presenting small concavity, eyes large and oval. Antennae with thirteen segments, antennal club with five segments. Mesosoma elongated, with anterior gibbous part formed by prothorax, mesothorax and part of metathorax, and posterior part comparatively flat formed by part of metathorax and propodeum. Promesonotal suture well marked, pronotum and mesonotum convex in lateral view, rounded on side. Metathorax arched, consisting of subvertical and subhorizontal part. Subhorizontal part, in dorsal view, becomes very narrow in proximity of subvertical part. Propodeum not much thicker than horizontal part of metathorax in lateral view. Propodeal spines are absent and only represented by two tubercles. Petiole elongated, petiolar node and postpetiolar node rounded, both dorsally present shallow longitudinal suture in center. Petiole in dorsal view presents significantly enlarged area between node and articulation with propodeum. Scape very short, covered by rare decumbent setae, decumbent to subdecumbent setae also present on head, mesosoma and legs, few erect setae on mesosoma, coxae, petiole and postpetiole and suberect to erect setae on gaster. Head finely reticulated, rest of body smooth and shiny.</p> <p>Queen redescription (Figs 37, 38, 42). Measurements and indices (6 individuals, 5 localities): HL: 1.35 ± 0.40; HW: 1.30 ± 0.02; CI: 96.33 ± 1.55; FW: 1.11 ± 0.02; SL: 1.22 ± 0.02; SI: 93.60 ± 1.55; MW: 1.24 ± 0.02; ML: 2.30 ± 0.04. Whole body ferruginous, with darker areas on gaster. Head subrectangular, lateral surface below eyes rounded, posterior margin of head straight. Anterior margin of clypeus slightly convex, mandibles rounded. Antennae with twelve segments, antennal club with four segments. Pronotum rounded in dorsal view, propodeal spines horizontal and with wide base. Petiole with long peduncle and node convex on both sides, postpetiole with anterior concave side and posterior slightly convex side. Entire head, except clypeus and occipital margin, densely covered with longitudinal striae. Long and more marked striae are subparallel to each other. Between them, less marked striae can be found often crossing each other. Mesosoma mostly shiny, with horizontal striae appearing in proximity of sutures, across propodeum and posterior faces of petiole and postpetiole. Adpressed to decumbent setae on antennae, suberect to mostly erect setae on head, dorsal part of mesosoma, of petiole and postpetiole and all over gaster. Long setae extending down from clypeus. Adpressed to decumbent setae on legs.</p> <p>Systematic position. Aphaenogaster sicula first appears as Aphaenogaster subterranea var. subterraneo-splendida in EMERY &amp; FOREL (1879), but this is a nomen nudum (EMERY 1908). Consequently, it was then described by EMERY (1908) who considered it a subspecies of A. crocea. Aphaenogaster sicula was finally elevated to species-rank by SCHEMBRI &amp; COLLINGWOOD (1981) on the basis of its worker morphology. However, SCHEMBRI &amp; COLLINGWOOD (1981) based their judgment exclusively on misidentified material of A. fiorii stat. nov. from Malta. Despite this fact, due to the degree of morphological differences from any other congeneric species, relevant in all three castes (see also comparative diagnosis), we surely agree to consider it a bona species.</p> <p>Comparative diagnosis. Worker. The color pattern is unique among the sympatric species, having the head darker than mesosoma, both ferruginous, and the gaster very dark (somewhat resembling the Maghrebian A. strioloides). In addition, A. sicula presents a very reduced promesonotal suture (especially different in comparison to A. trinacriae sp. nov.) with a more convex mesonotum than A. fiorii stat. nov., while still lacking the metanotal groove marked like in A. subterranea s. l. in lateral view (Figs 12 ‒ 19). Moreover, A. sicula is less sculptured than most similar species (except for example the very different A. crocea lenis Santschi, 1911) and its head appears shiny if compared to that of A. trinacriae sp. nov. It is also a relatively small species.</p> <p>Male. Only some of the Aphaenogaster males present a mesosoma with an anterior gibbous part and a comparatively flat posterior part like A. sicula. Among the sympatric species that do so, A. splendida can be easily distinguished by different shape of the metathorax, forming a decisively slenderer area in front of the propodeum in lateral view (see EMERY 1908, 1916). Aphaenogaster sardoa male (SANTSCHI 1911) is larger, its metathorax does not form slenderer part in front of the propodeum, it possesses a visibly less gibbous anterior part and more abundant erect setae on the body. Aphaenogaster fiorii stat. nov. and A. trinacriae sp. nov. are the most similar, but do not possess the aforementioned slenderer part in front of the propodeum in the flatter part of the mesosoma. In addition, A. fiorii stat. nov. is much lighter in color and presents more developed and differently shaped tubercles on the propodeum, while A. trinacriae sp. nov. is distinguished by the well-developed enlarged flat areas on the sides of the propodeum (better observed in dorsal view). The shape of the mesosoma also distinctively separates A. sicula from the somewhat similar Maghrebian species: A. crocea (see CAGNIANT 1966), A. faureli (see CAGNIANT 1969), A. mauritanica (see SANTSCHI 1932, CAGNIANT 1987), A. nadigi (see CAGNIANT 1987), A. strioloides (see SANTSCHI 1932), and A. theryi (see CAGNIANT 1986, 1996).</p> <p>Queen. Among sympatric species the mesosoma shape in A. sicula is only similar to that of A. fiorii stat. nov., A. trinacriae sp. nov. and A. subterranea s. l. However, A. fiorii stat. nov. is chromatically very different, and A. subterranea s. l. is also often darker. Moreover, A. sicula is unique for its short and thick spines. The scarcity of available information does not allow a proper comparison with the Maghrebian forms.</p> <p>Distribution and biogeographical remarks (Fig. 45). Aphaenogaster sicula seems to inhabit the whole Sicilian territory where the required ecological conditions are met and is also present in a small area in the southern part of Calabria. Further investigation is probably needed to establish its northernmost range limit. Land connections between Calabria and Sicily occurred relatively frequently during the later stages of the Pleistocene (BONFIGLIO et al. 2002), and a Siculo-South Calabrian chorotype was established for the Italian fauna (STOCH &amp; VIGNA TAGLIANTI 2006). Dispersion of A. sicula most likely occurred from Sicily to Calabria. Its alleged presence in the Maltese islands was based exclusively on misidentified specimens of A. fiorii stat. nov. as already mentioned. Finally, BARONI URBANI (1971) interpreted BERNARD’ s (1958) record of A. crocea for Lampedusa as A. crocea sicula but MEI (1995) considered the original record by Bernard erroneous and based on a misidentification of A. sardoa. More recent collecting efforts only reinforce Mei’s hypothesis (ES, unpublished data; A. Scupola, unpublished data). A particularly aberrant record was published by PETROV (2000) for Montenegro (without any more precise locality), but it was most likely a result of misidentification (KARAMAN 2011).</p> <p>Ecology. Aphaenogaster sicula inhabits clay soils, living in meadows most of the times, but also in garrigues or degraded Mediterranean maquis, and can also be found in Pinus afforestations at low altitudes. Nonetheless, it is generally associated with open habitats. It is collected between 35 m and 840 m.</p> <p>Conservation. Viable habitats for A. sicula seem to be abundant in its distribution range. Unless a massive change in land usage takes place, the species should not face particular threats. In addition, the data here presented (Fig. 45) may represent a significant underestimation of its distribution in Sicily.</p> <p>Biology. Monogynous (no more than one queen per colony detected in the wild).</p> <p>Phenology. In captive colonies, sexuals began to leave the nest from the second week of July to the first week of August, but no attempt to form an actual nuptial flight was detected. In the wild it can be speculated that nuptial flights may start with the first relevant rains at the end of summer.</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/03EB87D5FFBABC3EFEA604E7FD773C46	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Alicata, Antonio;Schifani, Enrico	Alicata, Antonio, Schifani, Enrico (2019): Three endemic Aphaenogaster from the Siculo-Maltese archipelago and the Italian Peninsula: part of a hitherto unrecognized species group from the Maghreb? (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae). Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae (Acta. Ent. Mus. Natl. Pragae) 59 (1): 1-16, DOI: 10.2478/aemnp-2019-0001, URL: http://zoobank.org/0ea032e4-230f-45df-bdeb-6acea88af418
03EB87D5FFB5BC3BFEAD0527FC513FC6.text	03EB87D5FFB5BC3BFEAD0527FC513FC6.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aphaenogaster trinacriae Alicata & Schifani 2019	<div><p>Aphaenogaster trinacriae sp. nov.</p> <p>Published records (excluding catalogues). As Aphaenogaster sp. n. in ALICATA (1999) (type material and other examined material).</p> <p>Misidentified as A. sicula in SCUPOLA (2009) (material examined), LI VIGNI (2014) (pictures examined), LEBAS et al. (2016) (pictures examined) and as A. splendida in SCUPOLA (2017) (material examined).</p> <p>Type material. HOLOTYPE: 1 ☿, Aphaenogaster trinacriae Alicata &amp; Schifani // Italy – Sicilia – Custonaci TP / M. Sparagio, P.zzo Giacolamaro / 38°3’56.42”N 12°46’43.14”E 700 m / Alicata leg. – 2.III.1994 / <a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=12.778649&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=38.06567" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 12.778649/lat 38.06567)">Q. ilex forest</a> – AACI-ANTP001 /1 // HOLOTYPUS / des. Alicata &amp; Schifani // A.trinacriae det. Alicata &amp; Schifani 2018 (MSNG). PARATYPES: ITALY: SICILY: 2 ☿☿, same as holotype except AACI-ANTP001/3 // PARATYPUS / des.Alicata &amp; Schifani (MSNG); 3☿☿, same as holotype except 22.XI.1996 / AACI-ANTP002/2 PARATYPUS / des. Alicata &amp; Schifani (MSNG); 1 ♂, same as holotype except 8.VII.1997 / from rearing – AACI-ANTP003/1 PARATYPUS / des.Alicata &amp; Schifani (in photo, MSNG); 1 ♂, same as holotype except 8.VII.1997 / from rearing – AACI-ANTP003/2 PARATYPUS / des. Alicata &amp; Schifani (MSNG); 1 ♀, same as holotype except AACI-ANTP001/2 // PARATYPUS / des. Alicata &amp; Schifani (MSNG); 1 ♀, same as holotype except 22.XI.1996 / AACI-ANTP002/1 PARATYPUS / des. Alicata &amp; Schifani (MSNG); 4 ☿☿, Erice 10.xii.1993 / leg. Alicata // PARATYPUS / des. Alicata &amp; Schifani // A.trinacriae det.Alicata &amp; Schifani 2018 (MSNM); 8☿☿ and 1 ♀, Italy – Sicilia – Erice TP / M. Erice m 600 / mixed forest / 10.XII.1993 leg.Alicata // PARATYPUS / des.Alicata &amp; Schifani // A. trinacriae det. Alicata &amp; Schifani 2018 (AACI); 2 ♂♂, Italy – Sicilia – Erice TP / M. Erice m 600 / from rearing / 14.VII.1997 leg.Alicata // PARATYPUS / des. Alicata &amp; Schifani // A. trinacriae det. Alicata &amp; Schifani 2018 (AACI). Additional material examined. ITALY: SICILY: Monte S. Caterina vers. W, Favignana (TP), Sicily, Italy, 37°56 ′ 20 ″ N, 12°18 ′ 29 ″ E, 110 m, Mediterranean maquis, 2.v.1991, leg. R. Poggi (MSNG); M. Erice, Erice (TP), Sicily, Italy, 38°2 ′ 14.52 ″ N, 12°35 ′ 42.99 ″ E, from 450 to 600 m, mixed forest and Pinus reforestation, 10.xii.1993, 21.xi.1996, 6.xii.1996, leg.A.Alicata (AACI, MSNM); M.Altesina, Nicosia (EN), Sicily, Italy, 37°40 ′ 18.49 ″ N, 14°18 ′ 30.34 ″ E, 915 m, Quercus ilex forest, 30.viii.1994, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); Bosco di Gibilmanna, Gibilmanna (PA), Sicily, Italy, deciduous forest of the Quercus pubescens group, 28.v.1996, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); V.ne Fanuso, Bosco della Ficuzza (PA), Sicily, Italy, mixed forest, 24.v.1996, 18.iii.1997, 29.iii.1997, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); C.da Pintorna, Geraci Siculo (PA), Sicily, Italy, Quercus suber forest, 30.v.1996, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); C.da Albinelli, Sortino (SR), Sicily, Italy, 37°12 ′ 16.99 ″ N, 15°4 ′ 51.15 ″ E, 365 m, Quercus suber forest, 3.x.1996, leg.A.Alicata (AACI); Baida, Scopello (TP), Sicily, Italy, 38° 2 ′ 57.11 ″ N, 12°47 ′ 44.97 ″ E, 480 m, Mediterranean maquis, 20.xi.1996, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); Bosco Scorace, Castellammare del Golfo (TP), Sicily, Italy, Quercus ilex forest, 15.xii.1997, leg.A.Alicata (AACI); Pizzo Giacolamaro, M. Sparagio, Custonaci (TP), Sicily, Italy, 38°3 ′ 56.42 ″ N, 12°46 ′ 43.14 ″ E, 685 m, Quercus ilex forest, 21.xi.1997, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); Monte Sparagio, Custonaci (TP), Sicily, Italy, 38°3 ′ 56.42 ″ N 12°46 ′ 43.14 ″ E, 550 m, Quercus ilex forest, 21.xi.1997, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); Pizzo Niviere, M. Inici, Castellammare del Golfo (TP), Sicily, Italy, 38°0 ′ 22.88 ″ N, 12°51 ′ 13.22 ″ E, 1,000 m, Quercus ilex forest, 22.xi.1997, leg.A.Alicata (AACI); V.ne Schiavo, Bosco del Cappelliere (PA), deciduous forest of the Quercus pubescens group, 19.iii.1997, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); Bosco di Alcamo, Alcamo (TP), Sicily, Italy, 37°57 ′ 24.56 ″ N, 12°57 ′ 47.58 ″ E, 770 m, mixed forest, 26.vi.1997, leg.A. Alicata (AACI); Alpe Ramosa, Bosco della Ficuzza (PA), Sicily, Italy, Quercus ilex forest, 28.vi.1997, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); Pulpito del Re, Bosco della Ficuzza (PA), Sicily, Italy, Quercus suber forest, 28.vi.1997, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); Lago Gammauta, Palazzo Adriano (PA), Sicily, Italy, 37°41 ′ 5.27 ″ N, 13°20 ′ 53.66 ″ E, 500 m, mixed forest, 10.vii.1997, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); Santuario di Rifesi, Burgio (AG), Sicily, Italy, deciduous forest of the Quercus pubescens group, 37°36 ′ 33.96 ″ N, 13°20 ′ 46.08 ″ E, 775 m, 11.vii.1997, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); Serra del Biondo, Burgio (AG), Sicily, Italy, 37°37 ′ 22.95 ″ N, 13°19 ′ 53.82 ″ E, 1,070 m, Pinus reforestation, 11.vii.1997, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); Valle del Sosio, Palazzo Adriano (PA), Sicily, Italy, 37°40 ′ 49.61 ″ N, 13°20 ′ 48.47 ″ E, 480 m, Quercus ilex forest, 27.vii.1997, leg.A.Alicata (AACI); C.da Sugherita, M. Sambughetti-Campanito, Nicosia (EN), Sicily, Italy, Quercus suber forest, 29.viii.1997, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); Bosco Scorace, Castellammare del Golfo (TP), Sicily, Italy, 37°59 ′ 14.51 ″ N, 12°45 ′ 31.62 ″ E, 385 m, Quercus ilex forest, 15.xii.1997, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); P.lla Manderini, Geraci Siculo (PA), Sicily, Italy, 1,260 m, deciduous forest of the Quercus pubescens group, 24.ix.1998, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); T.rre Montaspro, Isnello (PA), Sicily, Italy, 870 m, Quercus ilex forest, 02.x.1998, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); V.ne Zucchi, Isnello (PA), Sicily, Italy, 985 m, Quercus ilex forest, 02.x.1998, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); Piano Zucchi, Isnello (PA), Sicily, Italy, 1,070 m, Quercus ilex forest, 02.x.1998, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); Vallone Moscasanti, R.N. O. Grotta del Monello (SR), Sicily, Italy, 37°0 ′ 59.00 ″ N, 15°9 ′ 44.20 ″ E, 130 m, mixed forest, pitfall traps, 21.x.2004, leg. A. Alicata (AACI); Torretta Torre, Bosco della Ficuzza (PA), Sicily, x.2005, Malaise traps, leg. A. Gatto, sub A. splendida (SCUPOLA 2017; the cited worker was not found) (MSNM); Bosco Scalia (PA), Sicily, 38°01 ′ 39.9 ″ N, 13°12 ′ 46.0 ″ E, 815 m, Quercus ilex forest, 08.iv.2016, leg. E. Schifani (ESPI); Bosco della Ficuzza (PA), Sicily, 37°51 ′ 46.2 ″ N, 13°23 ′ 09.2 ″ E, 980 m, deciduous forest of the Quercus pubescens group, 23.vii.2016, leg. E. Schifani (ESPI); Bosco della Ficuzza (PA), Sicily, 37°52 ′ 29.8 ″ N, 13°23 ′ 54.3 ″ E, 855 m, Quercus suber forest, 02.xii.2016, leg. E. Schifani (ESPI); Erice (TP), Sicily, 38°02 ′ 23.8 ″ N, 12°35 ′ 09.3 ″ E, Quercus ilex forest, 710 m, 04.xi.2016, leg. E. Schifani (ESPI); Bosco del Cappelliere (PA), Sicily, 37°55 ′ 30.0 ″ N, 13°23 ′ 18.0 ″ E, 520 m, 27.v.2017, leg. R. Viviano (ESPI); Bosco della Ficuzza (PA), Sicily, 37°52 ′ 03 ″ N, 13°23 ′ 44 ″ E, 960 m, 1.viii.2017, leg. E. Nalini (ESPI, MSNM).</p> <p>Worker description (Figs 7, 8, 11, 16, 17). Measurements and indices (holotype worker): HL: 1.25; HW: 1.07; CI: 85.60; FW: 0.92; SL: 1.22; SI: 114.01; MW: 0.7; ML: 1.65: Measurements and indices (89 individuals, 14 localities; including holotype): HL: 1.16 ± 0.05 (0.97–1.27); HW: 1.01 ± 0.07 (0.77–1.17); CI: 87.14 ± 2.81 (79.48–92.15); FW: 0.87 ± 0.06 (0.70–1.00); SL: 1.17 ± 0.04 (1.05–1.27); SI: 115.59 ± 5.24 (106.38–135.48); MW: 0.64 ± 0.04 (0.52 ± 0.75); ML: 1.52 ± 0.08 (1.27–1.70). Whole body ferruginous (yellowish in freshly emerged workers), except for dark gaster. Central area of frons, scapi and femora are in some cases also darker than rest of head. Head subrectangular, lateral margins under eyes slightly rounded, posterior margin of head straight. Anterior margin of clypeus gradually convex, mandibles rounded. Antennae with twelve segments, antennal club with four segments. Promesonotal suture well-marked, creating clear discontinuity of dorsal profile in lateral view. In lateral view, dorsal profile of metanotum is rounded, dorsal profile of propodeum mostly straight, spines are variable in size and orientation, but are often horizontal. Sculpture relatively well developed in general. Head reticulated, with longitudinal striae almost reaching occiput, strongly developed especially under and around eyes, and present on mandibles. Mesepisternum and propodeum reticulated with fine longitudinal striae, pronotum finely imbricate, gaster smooth, petiole and postpetiole finely imbricate to reticulate. Suberect and erect setae sparse over head, decumbent setae on mandibles, adpressed setae on scapes and adpressed to subdecumbent setae on flagellomeres. Long setae extending down from clypeus. Erect setae all over dorsal surface of mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole, and all over gaster. Mostly adpressed, partly suberect setae on legs, with sparse erect setae on coxae and femora.</p> <p>Male description (Figs 24, 25, 28, 33, 34). Measurements and indices (5 individuals, 1 locality): HL: 0.72 ± 0.02; HL: 0.72 ± 0.03; CI: 99.35 ± 1.44; FW: 0.48 ± 0.01; SL: 0.23 ± 0.01; SI: 32.65 ± 1.92; MW: 0.91 ± 0.09; ML: 1.73 ± 0.10. Whole body brown, appendages paler than rest of body. Head subtrapezoidal, occipital margin rounded, anterior margin of clypeus presenting small concavity, eyes large and oval. Antennae with thirteen segments, antennal club with five segments. Mesosoma elongated, with anterior gibbous part formed by prothorax, mesothorax and part of metathorax, and posterior part comparatively flat formed by part of metathorax and propodeum. Promesonotal suture well marked, pronotum and mesonotum convex in lateral view, rounded on side. Metathorax arched, consisting of subvertical and subhorizontal part. Subhorizontal part, in dorsal view, becomes very narrow in proximity of subvertical part. Propodeum not much thicker than horizontal part of metathorax in lateral view, bearing two particularly enlarged flat areas on its sides (better observed in dorsal view). Propodeal spines are absent and only represented by two tubercles. Petiole elongated, petiolar node and postpetiolar node rounded, both dorsally presenting shallow longitudinal suture in center. Scape very short, covered by rare decumbent setae, decumbent to subdecumbent setae also present on head, mesosoma and legs, a few erect setae on mesosoma, coxae, petiole and postpetiole, suberect to erect setae on gaster. Head finely reticulated, rest of body smooth and shiny.</p> <p>Queen description (Figs 39, 40, 43). Measurements and indices (4 individuals, 3 localities): HW: 1.36 ± 0.01; HL: 1.29 ± 0.02; CI: 94.52 ± 0.01; FW: 1.12 ± 0.00; SL: 1.23 ± 0.01; SI: 95.18 ± 1.03; MW: 1.25 ± 0.03; ML: 2.36 ± 0.04. Whole body ferruginous, some lighter bands on gaster. Head subrectangular, lateral surface below eyes rounded, posterior margin of head straight. Anterior margin of clypeus slightly convex, mandibles rounded. Antennae with twelve segments, antennal club with four segments. Pronotum rounded in dorsal view, propodeal spines slightly tending upwards and slender. Petiole with long peduncle and node convex on both sides, postpetiole with anterior concave side and posterior slightly convex side. Entire head, except clypeus and occipital margin, densely covered with longitudinal striae. Long and more marked striae are subparallel to each other. Between them, less marked striae can be found often crossing each other. Mesosoma mostly shiny, with horizontal striae appearing in proximity of sutures, across propodeum and posterior faces of petiole and postpetiole. Adpressed to decumbent setae on antennae, suberect to mostly erect setae on head, dorsal part of mesosoma, of petiole and postpetiole and all over gaster. Long setae extending down from clypeus. Adpressed to decumbent setae on legs.</p> <p>Comparative diagnosis. Worker. Aphaenogaster trinacriae sp. nov. is characterized by ferruginous color of the body except for the very dark gaster and potential presence of dark area on the frons. Among the sympatric species this pattern can only be confused with some individuals of A. subterranea ichnusa or A. sicula. Aphaenogaster subterranea ichnusa can be easily distinguished by the marked metanotal groove in lateral view, less sculptured pronotum and different shape of the mesonotum. Aphaenogaster sicula tends to have darker head compared to the thorax and it is overall much less sculptured. Moreover, it presents a very reduced promesonotal suture, which on the contrary is very well marked in A. trinacriae sp. nov. The shape of the mesonotum and its sculpture easily separate A. trinacriae from any other similar Maghrebian congeneric species.</p> <p>Male. Only some of the Aphaenogaster males present mesosoma with an anterior gibbous part and a comparatively flat posterior part like A. trinacriae sp. nov. Among the sympatric species that do so, A. splendida can be easily distinguished by different shape of the metathorax, forming a decisively slenderer area in front of the propodeum in lateral view (see EMERY 1908; 1916). Aphaenogaster sardoa male (SANTSCHI 1911) is larger, its metathorax does not form a slenderer part in front of the propodeum, it possesses a visibly less gibbous anterior part and much more abundant erect setae on the body. Aphaenogaster fiorii stat. nov. and A. sicula are the most similar, but do not possess the well developed enlarged flat areas on the sides of the propodeum (better observed in dorsal view). In addition, A. fiorii stat. nov. is much lighter and presents more developed and differently shaped tubercles on the propodeum. The shape of the mesosoma also distinctively separates A. trinacriae sp. nov. from the somewhat similar Maghrebian species: A. crocea (see CAGNIANT 1966), A. faureli (see CAGNIANT 1969), A. mauritanica (see SANTSCHI 1932, CAGNIANT 1987), A. nadigi (see CAGNIANT 1987), A. strioloides (see SANTSCHI 1932), A. theryi (see CAGNIANT 1986, 1996).</p> <p>Queen. Among sympatric species the mesosoma shape is only similar to that of A. fiorii stat. nov., A. sicula and A. subterranea s. l. However, A. fiorii stat. nov. is chromatically very different, and both A. fiorii stat. nov. and A. sicula possess thicker spines. Aphaenogaster subterranea s. l. appears to be very similar but it is usually darker and possesses more rectangular head with more parallel sides in frontal view. The scarcity of available information does not allow a proper comparison with the Maghrebian forms.</p> <p>Etymology. Trinacria is the ancient Greek name of Sicily; noun in genitive case standing in apposition.</p> <p>Distribution and biogeographical remarks (Fig. 46). Aphaenogaster trinacriae sp. nov. has the smallest distribution range of the three species, being exclusively limited to Sicily, where it is most abundant in its Western regions and completely absent in its North Eastern regions: in Etna, Nebrodi and Peloritani mountains the same habitats are occupied only by the ecologically similar A. subterranea ichnusa, and very rarely by A. fiorii stat. nov. Aphaenogaster trinacriae sp. nov. was also found in Favignana, a sedimentary island belonging to the Egadi Islands, which is about 7 km distant from the Western Sicilian coast and was alternately connected by land to Sicily in the past (AGNESI et al. 1993).</p> <p>Ecology. This species was mostly collected in natural Quercus forest but occasionally also in some artificial Pinus forest. All sites were either fully established forest or degraded forest. Altitude between 110 m and 1,260 m. Aphaenogaster trinacriae sp. nov. partly shares its distribution with that of A. subterranea ichnusa, whose ecology requirements are seemingly vastly overlapping (SCHIFANI &amp; ALICATA 2018), therefore competition between these two may be expected to be significant. On the contrary, A. subterranea s. str. is found at higher altitudes and/or in different habitats in Sicily (SCHIFANI &amp; ALICATA 2018). Aphaenogaster trinacriae was reported removing elaiosomes from seeds of Euphorbia characias (LI VIGNI 2014, sub A. sicula).</p> <p>Conservation. Aphaenogaster trinacriae sp. nov. appears to have a well-defined habitat specificity mainly linked to thermophilous broad-leaved forests. Its abundance within the relatively small distribution range must have been severely reduced due to the very important deforestation that occurred in the past (LA MANTIA 2009). Many sites in which the species is found are habitat patches likely too distant from each other to allow the species dispersal from one patch to another, resulting in presumably complete isolation of these populations.Although reforestation projects have increased the forested surface in Sicily, they may have not necessarily helped the species to recover the lost habitats. Aphaenogaster trinacriae sp. nov. has never been found in Eucalyptus reforestations, and reforestation patches of other kind may sometimes be too isolated to be colonized. It would be worth investigating if the abundant presence of A. subterranea ichnusa in some isolated reforested areas, in which A. trinacriae sp. nov. is absent despite seemingly adequate ecological conditions, is due to the lower dispersal capacity of the latter or unintentional introductions of the former.</p> <p>Biology. Monogynous (no more than one queen per colony detected in the wild, attempts to found colonies in captivity with multiple queens only resulted in monogynous colonies).</p> <p>Phenology. Winged sexuals were collected in nests in Bosco della Ficuzza (PA) during the last week of July and in C. da Sugherita, M. Sambughetti-Campanito (EN) in August. In captive colonies, sexuals began to leave the nest from the second week of July to the first week of August, but no attempt to form an actual nuptial flight was detected (ALICATA 1999). In the wild, it can be speculated that nuptial flights may start with the first relevant rains at the end of summer.</p> <p>Myrmecophiles. Six individuals of Scydmaenus rufus Müller &amp; Kunze, 1822 (Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae) were collected inside a nest of A. trinacriae sp. nov. in Bosco della Ficuzza (PA) during December. Several associations between staphylinids of the subfamily Scydmaeninae Leach, 1815 and ants are known (O’KEEFE 2000), however most of them are probably facultative (PARKER 2016).</p> </div>	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/03EB87D5FFB5BC3BFEAD0527FC513FC6	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Alicata, Antonio;Schifani, Enrico	Alicata, Antonio, Schifani, Enrico (2019): Three endemic Aphaenogaster from the Siculo-Maltese archipelago and the Italian Peninsula: part of a hitherto unrecognized species group from the Maghreb? (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae). Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae (Acta. Ent. Mus. Natl. Pragae) 59 (1): 1-16, DOI: 10.2478/aemnp-2019-0001, URL: http://zoobank.org/0ea032e4-230f-45df-bdeb-6acea88af418
