The morphological and taxonomic identity of Aphaenogaster beesoni Donisthorpe, 1933 (Stenammini: Myrmicinae: Formicidae) from Northern areas of Pakistan

This study focuses on the morphology and taxonomy of a Stenammini species, Aphaenogaster beesoni Donisthorpe, 1933, of the Myrmicinae subfamily. Ant specimens were collected using pitfall traps, baiting, and leaf litter sifting in diverse habitats including forests, deserts and agricultural fields, from several provinces of Pakistan. Samples were collected and preserved in ethanol, and identified by different taxonomic keys. Petiolar nodes were specialized; morphological analysis showed 12-segmented antenna with a club segment for four, complex elongated mesosoma and morphological features were shown. The study also looks at ecological adaptations and divergence among the species, through A. beesoni. The results provide important insight into the taxonomic diversity and functional role of the genus, including that of mutualistic seed dispersal. The regional biodiversity studies of Aphaenogaster are ideally suited to build on this foundation in the future.