Key to Myrmecina of the West Palaearctic

This worker key is based on: Rigato, F. 1999. Myrmecina melonii n. sp., a new ant from Sardinia, with a review of the West Palaearctic Myrmecina (Hymenoptera Formicidae). Boll. Soc. Entomol. Ital. 131: 83-92.

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Figs 7-10. Myrmecina spp .. workers' details: 7 - Myrmecina graminicola. head profile of a worker with scape. indicating 'd' (dorsal) and 'f (frontal) views for evaluating the scape's shape; 8 - Myrmecina melonii n. sp .. scape; 9 - Myrmecina graminicola scape. usual shape; 10 - Myrmecina graminicoia. scape. unusual shape of some specimens from Kefalonia. (Sculpture and pilosity omitted).

Base of the scape usually somewhat dorso-ventrally flattened: in postero-dorsal view (Fig. 7 'd') its basal bend appears about as thick as the apex (Fig. 9 'd'). Sculpture strong, head and alitrunk distinctly longitudinally rugulose. Main body colour usually dark brown to black; if somewhat reddish. the shape of the scape is as above. (Widespread in the western Palaearctic region) . . . . . Myrmecina graminicola

Base of the scape always cylindrical (Fig. 8). distinctly thinner than the apex when seen as in fig. 7 'd'. Sculpture variable. especially on the alitrunk. where it may be concealed or feeble at least on the pronotum. Main body colour reddish. with dorsum of the head and gaster often darkened . . . . . 2

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Dorsum of the ali trunk mostly smooth. only the propodeum and margins of the promesonotum weakly sculptured. In contrast. head longitudinally rugulose and subopaque; spaces between the rugulae strongly reticulate-punctate. (Italy: Sicily) . . . . . Myrmecina sicula

Dorsum of the ali trunk longitudinally rugulose or rugose. Head mostly longitudinally rugulose; spaces between the rugulae more or less densely reticulate. often subshiny . . . . . 3

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Propodeal spines well developed. sharp. Pronotum always and distinctly longitudinally rugulose. Sculpture coarser. strongly rugulose, usually with clearly developed ground reticulate puncturation. (Tunisia, Algeria) . . . . . Myrmecina atlantis

Propodeal spines short, dentiform, often blunt. Pronotum mostly smooth with weak: longitudinal rugulae. Sculpture finer. less strongly rugulose. usually with quite feeble ground reticulate puncturation. (Italy: Sardinia) . . . . . Myrmecina melonii