Aphaenogaster wennebergi Zharkov et Dubovikoff, 2025

Genus Aphaenogaster Mayr, 1853 View in CoL

Aphaenogaster wennebergi Zharkov et Dubovikoff , sp. n. https://zoobank.org/NomenclaturalActs/ AEA7AE5E-28F3-428A-A564-BA964554A77F

Figs 1–5 View Figs 1–5

TYPE MATERIAL. Holotype: ♂, NHMD 873929 . The described ant species is found in a small piece of late Eocene Danish amber, along with the syninclusions of another ant, NHMD 873928 ( Dolichoderinae ), and a beetle, NHMD 874111 (Coleoptera).

TYPE LOCALITY AND AGE. The piece of amber was collected by Lars Wenneberg on the coast of Denmark near Hvide Sande ( 55°58'12'' N 8°08'01''E). The holotype of the described species GoogleMaps [ NHMD 873929 ] is stored in the Natural History Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen. Late Eocene (?) .

NOTES. In the taxonomy of ants, there is a problem of attributing different castes of ants to the same species. Even recent ant males are difficult to compare with females, which can lead to an artificial increase in the number of described species. The study of a new male does not allow us to associate it with any described species. Another complication is that its abdomen and wings have been cut off, which reduces a number of important taxonomic features, such as wing venation and the structure of the genitals. Given that this specimen is the first known male of the genus Aphaenogaster from Late Eocene ambers, we consider it appropriate to describe it as a new species.

DIGNOSIS. Male. The new ant specimen is defined as a member of the Aphaenogaster ( s. l.) by the following combination of features: distinctly flat and more or less elongate head; compound eyes large and prominent; triangular mandibles; antenna 13-segmented, scape short, not reaching posterior margin of head; funiculus filiform, incrassate; trunk slender; pronotum small, completely overhung by mesonotum; mesonotum massive; mesoscutum convex dorsally with notauli; mesoscutellum convex, overhanging metanotum; propodeum long, low and narrow, constricted just anterior to propodeal spiracle; propodeal spines reduced to form obtuse lobes. Legs long and slender; middle and hind tibiae each with a small simple spur.

DESCRIPTION. Male. Head: Mandibles small and smooth without distinct teeth. Anterior clypeal margin slightly convex, in middle not concave. Head flattened, slightly longer (0.62) than wider (0.52) and narrower than maximum pronotal width (0.61). Very large ovoidal compound eyes (~ ½ length of the head capsule) that significantly protrude out of the head capsule, slightly shifted forward. The posterior border of the eye straight, not rounded. Ocelli well developed, not large, and of medium size. Antenna 13–segmented. Antennal club 4-segmented. Scape short, not reaching posterior margin of head; funicular segments from 1.5 to 2 times longer than wide. Sparse erect and suberect setae mostly occur dorsally over the head.

Mesosoma: Pronotum small, completely overhung by mesonotum. Mesonotum massive. Mesoscutum convex dorsally with broad notauli. Mesoscutellum convex, slightly erect above mesoscutum. Propodeum long, low and narrow. Distal end of the propodeum with two, dorsally flattened, obtuse knobs. A weak groove is found between them. Corner of end of propodeum not sharp, not dentate. A ventral cuticular process protrudes from the metasternum. Sparse erect and suberect setae mostly occur dorsally over the mesosoma.

Legs: Legs relatively long and slender; middle and hind tibiae each with a small simple spur. Sparse erect and suberect setae mostly occur on coxae.

Metasoma: Long pedunculate petiole, globose.

Female unknown.

MEASUREMENTS (in mm). HL – 0.62; HW – 0.52; FW – 0.13; SL – 0.21; PdL – 0.10; Fl1 – 0.11; Fl2 – 0.08; OL – 0.30; OD – 0.36; MdL – 0.22; WL – 1.38; ML – 1.37; PnW – 0.61; MtL – 0.57; MtW – 0.57; MsL – 0.27; MsW – 0.28; PrdL – 0.58; PrdW – 0.38; PrdH – 0.35; PtL – 0.44; PtW – 0.23; PtH – 0.22; PpW – 0.27; MsFL – 0.92; MsTL – 0.71.

INDICES. CI – 1.19; SI1 – 0.34; SI2 – 0.4; OI1 – 0.48; OI2 – 0.58; PI1 – 2.00; PI2 – 1.91; MI – 2.26; PRI – 1.66.

ETYMOLOGY. After Lars Wenneberg and his son, Danish amber enthusiasts, who provided amber for this study.