Myrmica

Myrmica Temporal range: 50.3–0 Ma K Pa Eo Ol Mi Pl Eocene – Recent
Myrmica rubra
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Myrmicinae
Tribe:	Myrmicini
Genus:	Myrmica Latreille, 1804
Type species
Formica rubra, now Myrmica rubra
Diversity
210 species 14 fossil species (Species Checklist, Species by Country) Myrmica rubra Specimen Label
Synonyms
Dodecamyrmica Arnol'di, 1968 Nothomyrmica Wheeler, W.M., 1915 Paramyrmica Cole, 1957 Sifolinia Emery, 1907 Sommimyrma Menozzi, 1925 Symbiomyrma Arnol'di, 1930

A common and abundant element of Holoartic ant faunas, especially at higher latitudes.

Evolutionary Relationships

Myrmicinae Myrmicini Manica   (6 species) Myrmica   (210 species) Pogonomyrmecini   (3 genera) Stenammini   (7 genera) Solenopsidini   (22 genera) Attini   (49 genera) Crematogastrini   (65 genera)

Based on Ward et al., 2014

Identification

Eguchi, Bui and Yamane (2011) - The worker of Myrmica is somewhat similar to those of Aphaenogaster (see under Aphaenogaster) and Tetramorium. However, in the worker of Tetramorium, the tibial spurs of the middle and hind legs are simple or absent, and the apex of sting bears a small lamellate appendage.

Species groups have proven useful to help organize the often difficult to determine species into more manageable subsets of species. Diagnostic treatments of these groups, and list of species assigned to each group, for many Myrmica species are found here: Myrmica Species Groups. This page does not provide coverage of the North American Myrmica fauna. Some contemporary, albeit preliminary, species group work for North American Myrmica species is found here: Myrmica Species Groups of North America

Fossils

Jessen (2020) - All the known fossil Myrmica species originating from the Eocene were described from worker specimens. According to Radchenko et al. (2007) these fossil ants mostly have long propodeal spines, and their head and alitrunk show very coarse sinuous rugosity and reticulation. Only Myrmica paradoxa has short blunt propodeal teeth and a fine reticulation. In Myrmica species from Enspel, the alitrunk is, primarily, widely and slightly irregularly striated. There is no evidence of an additional reticulation on the alitrunk.

See images of species within this genus

Species Group Keys

• Key to Myrmica inezae species group
• Key to punctiventris-group Myrmica species

Keys including this Genus

• Key to Ant Genera of the Navajo Reservation
• Key to North American Genera of Myrmicinae
• Key to Vietnamese Myrmicinae Genera
• Key to the Ant Genera of New Mexico

 

Keys to Species in this Genus

• Key to Myrmica of West Europe and North Africa
• Key to Myrmica of East Europe, West Siberia, northern Kazakhstan, Caucasus, Asia Minor, Turkmenistan and Iran
• Key to Myrmica of species of East Siberia, Russian Far East, Mongolia, Korean Peninsula, northern China, and Japan
• Key to Myrmica of the Middle Asian Mountains
• Key to Myrmica of the Tibetan Plateau
• Key to Myrmica of the Himalaya and Afghanistan
• Key to Myrmica of South and South East Asia
• Key to Myrmica fossils
• Key to Myrmica of China
• Key to Myrmica of Romania
• Key to Myrmica inezae species group
• Key to Myrmica of Vietnam
• Key to Myrmica of the punctiventris group
• Key to Myrmica of North America
• Key to parasitic Himalayan Myrmica
• Key to Myrmica pachei-group
• Key to New England Myrmica

Distribution

Fossils

Fossils are known from: Baltic amber (Bartonian, Middle to Late Eocene), Bitterfeld amber (Bartonian, Middle to Late Eocene), Danish-Scandinavian amber (Bartonian, Middle to Late Eocene), Enspel Formation, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany (Oligocene), Mokrina (Krottensee), Czech Republic (Late Burdigalian, Early Miocene), Oeningen, Switzerland (Messinian, Late Miocene), Parschlug, Austria (Serravallian, Miocene), Radoboj, Croatia (Burdigalian, Early Miocene).

Biology

Vietnam

Eguchi, Bui and Yamane (2011) - Myrmica species have so far been found exclusively in the mountains of Fan Si Pan above approximately 1,700 m alt. They inhabit sparse to well-developed forests and nest in rotting logs, wood fragments, under stones, in soil around tree bases, etc. Workers forage on the ground and lower vegetation.

Association with Other Organisms

Numerous European species are parasitized by Phengaris butterflies. Maturing caterpillars of various species move into the nests of certain Myrmica species and prey on ant brood. They are also able to solicit food from and be fed via trophallaxis.

In Missouri, USA, a Myrmica species (species uncertain) was found as a slave within a nest of Formica rubicunda.

Species Uncertain

• An unknown species is a host for the Staphylinid beetle Orphnebius lilizheni  (a myrmecophile) in China (Jiang et al., 2020).
• An unknown species is a associate (details unknown) for the ichneumonid wasp Pseomachus sp. (a associate (details unknown)) (Quevillon, 2018).
• An unknown species is a host for the fungus Hormiscium myrmecophilum (a parasite) (Quevillon, 2018) (encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission within nest).
• An unknown species is a host for the nematode Steinerema carpocapsae (a parasitoid) (Quevillon, 2018) (multiple encounter modes; indirect transmission; transmission outside nest).

All Associate Records for Genus

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Taxon	Relationship	Associate Type	Associate Taxon	Associate Relationship	Locality	Source	Notes
Myrmica	associate (details unknown)	ichneumonid wasp	Pseomachus sp.	associate (details unknown)		Quevillon, 2018
Myrmica	host	ant	Formica rubicunda	slave maker
Myrmica	host	fungus	Hormiscium myrmecophilum	parasite		Quevillon, 2018	encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission within nest
Myrmica	host	nematode	Steinerema carpocapsae	parasitoid		Quevillon, 2018	multiple encounter modes; indirect transmission; transmission outside nest
Myrmica	host	Staphylinid beetle	Orphnebius lilizheni	myrmecophile	China	Jiang et al., 2020
Myrmica aimonissabaudiae	host	ant	Myrmica ereptrix	inquiline
Myrmica aimonissabaudiae	host	ant	Myrmica latra	inquiline
Myrmica alaskensis	host	ant	Formicoxenus quebecensis	guest
Myrmica alaskensis	workerless inquiline	ant	Myrmica lampra	host
Myrmica alaskensis	workerless inquiline	ant	Myrmica quebecensis	host
Myrmica americana	host	diapriid wasp	Trichopria myrmicae	parasite		www.diapriid.org	potential host
Myrmica bibikoffi	temporary parasite	ant	Myrmica sabuleti	host		Radchenko & Elmes, 2003
Myrmica cagnianti	host	ant	Myrmica kabylica	workerless inquiline
Myrmica colax	inquiline	ant	Myrmica striolagaster
Myrmica curvithorax	host	fungus	Rickia wasmannii	parasite		Quevillon, 2018	encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission within nest
Myrmica curvithorax	host	fungus	Rickia wasmanniii	pathogen		Espadaler & Santamaria, 2012
Myrmica ereptrix	inquiline	ant	Myrmica aimonissabaudiae
Myrmica fracticornis	host	ant	Formicoxenus provancheri	xenobiont
Myrmica gallienii	host	ant	Myrmica karavajevi	workerless inquiline
Myrmica gallienii	host	fungus	Rickia wasmanniii	pathogen
Myrmica gallienii	host	nematode	Mermithidae (unspec.)	parasite	Hungary	Csosz & Majoros, 2009; Laciny, 2021
Myrmica hamulata	xenobiont	ant	Lasius latipes	xenobiont
Myrmica hirsuta	inquiline	ant	Myrmica sabuleti	host		Elmes, 1978	workers rare
Myrmica incompleta	host	''Microdon'' fly	Microdon albicomatus	predator	Idaho (type), Washington	Novak, 1977
Myrmica incompleta	host	ant	Formicoxenus provancheri	xenobiont
Myrmica incompleta	host	eucharitid wasp	Eucharis sp.	parasitoid		Quevillon, 2018	multiple encounter modes; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Myrmica jessensis	host	ant	Formica sanguinea	slave maker		Hayashida, 1966
Myrmica kabylica	workerless inquiline	ant	Myrmica cagnianti	host
Myrmica karavajevi	workerless inquiline	ant	Myrmica gallienii	host
Myrmica karavajevi	workerless inquiline	ant	Myrmica lonae	host
Myrmica karavajevi	workerless inquiline	ant	Myrmica rugulosa	host
Myrmica karavajevi	workerless inquiline	ant	Myrmica sabuleti	host
Myrmica karavajevi	workerless inquiline	ant	Myrmica scabrinodis	host
Myrmica kotokui	host	ichneumonid wasp	Sp. nov.	parasitoid		Quevillon, 2018	encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Myrmica lampra	workerless inquiline	ant	Myrmica alaskensis	host
Myrmica latra	inquiline	ant	Myrmica aimonissabaudiae
Myrmica laurae	workerless inquiline	ant	Myrmica sabuleti	host			identification needs confirmation
Myrmica laurae	workerless inquiline	ant	Myrmica scabrinodis	host
Myrmica lemasnei	workerless inquiline	ant	Myrmica sabuleti	host
Myrmica lobicornis	host	ichneumonid wasp	Hybrizon buccatus	parasitoid		Quevillon, 2018	encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Myrmica lobicornis	host	phorid fly	Pseudacteon formicarum	parasitoid		Quevillon, 2018	encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Myrmica lobulicornis	host	ant	Myrmica myrmicoxena	workerless inquiline
Myrmica lonae	host	ant	Myrmica karavajevi	workerless inquiline
Myrmica lonae	host	butterfly	Phengaris arion	parasite		Sielezniew et al., 2010
Myrmica myrmicoxena	workerless inquiline	ant	Myrmica lobulicornis	host
Myrmica nefaria	inquiline	ant	Myrmica rupestris			Radchenko and Elmes, 2010
Myrmica punctiventris	host	ant	Myrmica semiparasitica	temporary parasite
Myrmica quebecensis	workerless inquiline	ant	Myrmica alaskensis	host
Myrmica rubra	associate (details unknown)	encyrtid wasp	Syrphophagus aphidivorus	associate (details unknown)		Quevillon, 2018
Myrmica rubra	host	cestode	Davaineidae (Raillietina urogalli??)	parasite	Scotland	Muir, 1954; Laciny, 2021
Myrmica rubra	host	cestode	Raillietina urogalli	parasitoid		Quevillon, 2018	encounter mode secondary; indirect transmission; transmission outside nest
Myrmica rubra	host	encyrtid wasp	Syrphophagus aphidivorus	parasite		Universal Chalcidoidea Database	associate
Myrmica rubra	host	fungus	Ophiocordyceps kniphofioides	parasitoid		Quevillon, 2018	encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Myrmica rubra	host	fungus	Ophiocordyceps myrmecophila	pathogen		Shrestha et al., 2017
Myrmica rubra	host	fungus	Ophiocordyceps myrmicarum	parasitoid		Quevillon, 2018	encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Myrmica rubra	host	fungus	Ophiocordyceps subramanianii	parasitoid		Quevillon, 2018	encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Myrmica rubra	host	fungus	Rickia wasmannii	parasite		Quevillon, 2018	encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission within nest
Myrmica rubra	host	fungus	Rickia wasmanniii	pathogen		Espadaler & Santamaria, 2012
Myrmica rubra	host	gregarine	Mattesia geminata	parasite	Germany	Buschinger & Kleespies, 1999
Myrmica rubra	host	nematode	Mermithidae (unspec.)	parasite	Poland	Czechowsk et al., 2007; Laciny, 2021
Myrmica rubra	host	nematode	Mermithidae (unspecified "Mermix")	parasite	Germany	Gosswald, 1930; Laciny, 2021
Myrmica rubra	host	pteromalid wasp	Asaphes vulgaris	parasite		Universal Chalcidoidea Database	associate
Myrmica rubra	host	pteromalid wasp	Pachyneuron aphidis	parasite		Universal Chalcidoidea Database	associate
Myrmica ruginodis	host	fungus	Rickia wasmanniii	pathogen		Csata et al., 2013
Myrmica ruginodis	host	ichneumonid wasp	Hybrizon buccatus	parasitoid		Quevillon, 2018	encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Myrmica ruginodis	host	nematode	Mermithidae (unspecified "Mermix")	parasite	Germany	Gosswald, 1930; Laciny, 2021
Myrmica ruginodis	host	phorid fly	Aenigmatias franzi	parasitoid		Quevillon, 2018	encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Myrmica ruginodis	host	phorid fly	Pseudacteon brevicauda	parasitoid		Quevillon, 2018	encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Myrmica rugulosa	host	ant	Myrmica karavajevi	workerless inquiline
Myrmica rugulosa	host	nematode	Diploscapter lycostoma	parasite		Wahab, 1962
Myrmica rugulosa	host	nematode	Mermithidae (unspec.)	parasite	Poland	Czechowsk et al., 2007; Laciny, 2021
Myrmica rugulosa	host	nematode	Mermithidae (unspecified "Mermix")	parasite	Germany	Gosswald, 1930; Laciny, 2021
Myrmica rupestris	host	ant	Myrmica nefaria	inquiline		Radchenko and Elmes, 2010
Myrmica sabuleti	host	ant	Myrmica bibikoffi	temporary parasite
Myrmica sabuleti	host	ant	Myrmica hirsuta	inquiline
Myrmica sabuleti	host	ant	Myrmica karavajevi	workerless inquiline
Myrmica sabuleti	host	ant	Myrmica laurae	workerless inquiline			identification needs confirmation
Myrmica sabuleti	host	ant	Myrmica lemasnei	workerless inquiline
Myrmica sabuleti	host	butterfly	Maculinea arion	parasite		Barbero et al., 2009
Myrmica sabuleti	host	fungus	Hormiscium myrmecophilum	pathogen		Espadaler & Santamaria, 2012
Myrmica sabuleti	host	fungus	Rickia wasmannii	parasite		Quevillon, 2018	encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission within nest
Myrmica sabuleti	host	fungus	Rickia wasmanniii	pathogen		Espadaler & Santamaria, 2012
Myrmica sabuleti	host	nematode	Hexamermis/Agamermis	parasite	Germany	Steiner et al., 2019; Laciny, 2021
Myrmica sabuleti	host	nematode	Mermithidae (unspec.)	parasite	Poland	Czechowsk et al., 2007; Laciny, 2021
Myrmica sabuleti	mutualist	butterfly	Phengaris arion			Obregon et al. 2015
Myrmica scabrinodis	host	''Microdon'' fly	Microdon myrmicae	predator	Devon, England, U.K.	Scarparo et al., 2020
Myrmica scabrinodis	host	ant	Myrmica karavajevi	workerless inquiline
Myrmica scabrinodis	host	ant	Myrmica laurae	workerless inquiline
Myrmica scabrinodis	host	butterfly	Glaucopsyche alexis			Obregon et al. 2015
Myrmica scabrinodis	host	butterfly	Maculinea alcon			Tartally et al., 2019; Ebsen et al., 2019
Myrmica scabrinodis	host	butterfly	Maculinea teleius			Tartally et al., 2019; Ebsen et al., 2019
Myrmica scabrinodis	host	cestode	Davaineidae (Raillietina urogalli??)	parasite	Scotland	Muir, 1954; Laciny, 2021
Myrmica scabrinodis	host	cestode	Raillietina urogalli	parasitoid		Quevillon, 2018	encounter mode secondary; indirect transmission; transmission outside nest
Myrmica scabrinodis	host	fungus	Rickia wasmanniii	parasite		Quevillon, 2018	encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission within nest
Myrmica scabrinodis	host	fungus	Rickia wasmanniii	pathogen		Espadaler & Santamaria, 2012
Myrmica scabrinodis	host	ichneumonid wasp	Hybrizon buccatus	parasitoid		Quevillon, 2018	encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Myrmica scabrinodis	host	nematode	"Mermis"	parasite	Hungary, France, Austria, Italy	Csosz, 2012; Laciny, 2021	infected ant described as ''Sommimyrma symbiotica'', now ''Myrmica scabrinodis''
Myrmica scabrinodis	host	nematode	Mermithidae (unspecified "Mermix")	parasite	Germany	Gosswald, 1930; Laciny, 2021
Myrmica scabrinodis	host	phorid fly	Pseudacteon brevicauda	parasitoid		Quevillon, 2018	encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Myrmica schencki	host	butterfly	Maculinea rebeli	parasite		Barbero et al., 2009
Myrmica schencki	host	butterfly	Phengaris arion	parasite		Sielezniew et al., 2010b
Myrmica schencki	host	butterfly	Phengaris rebeli	parasite		Settele et al., 2005; Sielezniew et al., 2010a
Myrmica schencki	host	nematode	Mermithidae (unspecified "Mermix")	parasite	Germany	Gosswald, 1930; Laciny, 2021
Myrmica semiparasitica	temporary parasite	ant	Myrmica punctiventris	host
Myrmica specioides	host	fungus	Rickia wasmannii	parasite		Quevillon, 2018	encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission within nest
Myrmica specioides	host	fungus	Rickia wasmanniii	pathogen		Espadaler & Santamaria, 2012
Myrmica spinosior	host	fungus	Rickia wasmanniii	pathogen		Espadaler & Santamaria, 2012
Myrmica striolagaster	host	ant	Myrmica colax	inquiline
Myrmica sulcinodis	host	nematode	"Mermis"	parasite	Hungary, France, Austria, Italy	Radchenko & Elmes, 2003; Csosz, 2012; Laciny, 2021
Myrmica vandeli	host	fungus	Rickia wasmanniii	parasite		Quevillon, 2018	encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission within nest
Myrmica vandeli	host	fungus	Rickia wasmanniii	pathogen		Espadaler & Santamaria, 2012; De Kesel et al. 2016, Haelewaters et al. 2015a, 2015b
Myrmicaria opaciventris	associate (details unknown)	encyrtid wasp	Ooencrytus sp.	associate (details unknown)		Quevillon, 2018
Myrmicaria opaciventris	host	encyrtid wasp	Ooencyrtus sp.	parasite		Universal Chalcidoidea Database	associate
Myrmicaria opaciventris	mutualist	psyllid	Diaphorina enderleini	trophobiont	Cameroon, Ethiopia	Aléné et al., 2011

Flight Period

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Taxon	Month	Source	Notes
Myrmica aloba	Jul • Aug • Sep	Radchenko & Elmes, 2010
Myrmica bibikoffi	Aug	antkeeping.info
Myrmica constricta	Aug • Sep	Radchenko & Elmes, 2010
Myrmica deplanata	Jul • Aug • Sep	Radchenko & Elmes, 2010
Myrmica forcipata	Jul • Aug	Radchenko & Elmes, 2010
Myrmica gallienii	Aug • Sep • Oct	antkeeping.info
Myrmica hellenica	Aug • Sep • Oct	antkeeping.info
Myrmica hirsuta	Aug • Sep	antkeeping.info
Myrmica jessensis	Sep		Japan
Myrmica karavajevi	Jul • Aug • Sep	antkeeping.info
Myrmica kotokui	Aug • Sep • Oct		Japan
Myrmica kurokii	Aug
Myrmica lobicornis	Jul • Aug • Sep	antkeeping.info
Myrmica lobulicornis	Jul • Aug • Sep	antkeeping.info
Myrmica lonae	Jul • Aug • Sep	antkeeping.info
Myrmica pinetorum	May	antkeeping.info
Myrmica pisarskii	Jul • Aug • Sep	Radchenko & Elmes, 2010
Myrmica punctiventris	Sep • Oct • Nov	antkeeping.info
Myrmica rubra	Aug	antkeeping.info
Myrmica ruginodis	Jul • Aug	antkeeping.info
Myrmica rugulosa	Aug • Sep • Oct	antkeeping.info
Myrmica sabuleti	Jul • Aug • Sep	antkeeping.info
Myrmica salina	Aug	antkeeping.info
Myrmica scabrinodis	Jul • Aug • Sep	antkeeping.info
Myrmica schencki	Jul • Aug	antkeeping.info
Myrmica specioides	Jul • Aug • Sep	antkeeping.info
Myrmica sulcinodis	Jul • Aug • Sep	antkeeping.info
Myrmica vandeli	Jul • Aug • Sep	antkeeping.info
Myrmica wesmaeli	Aug • Sep	Radchenko & Elmes, 2010
Myrmicaria natalensis	Jan	antkeeping.info

Life History Traits

• Mean colony size: 86-3000 (Greer et al., 2021)
• Compound colony type: temperary parasite (Greer et al., 2021)
• Nest site: hypogaeic (Greer et al., 2021)
• Diet class: predator (Greer et al., 2021)
• Foraging stratum: subterranean/leaf litter (Greer et al., 2021)

Morphology

Worker Morphology

• Antennal segment count: 12 • Antennal club: 3-4 • Palp formula: 6,4 • Total dental count: 6-10 • Spur formula: 1 simple-pectinate, 1 simple-pectinate; 0, 0 • Eyes: 11->100 ommatidia • Pronotal Spines: absent • Mesonotal Spines: absent • Propodeal Spines: present • Petiolar Spines: absent • Caste: none or weak • Sting: present • Metaplural Gland: absent; present • Cocoon: absent

Male Morphology

 • Antennal segment count 12-13 • Antennal club 4-5; gradual-3 in some social parasites • Palp formula 6,4 • Total dental count 3-8 • Spur formula 1 barbulate-pectinate, 1 barbulate-pectinate; 0, 1 barbulate-pectinate; 0, 0

Karyotype

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Taxon	Haploid	Diploid	Karyotype	Locality	Source	Notes
Myrmica lobicornis	24				Hauschteck-Jungen & Jungen, 1983
Myrmica rubra		48		Switzerland	Hauschteck-Jungen & Jungen, 1983	as ''Myrmica laevinodis''
Myrmica rubra	23	46		Japan	Imai, 1969
Myrmica ruginodis		48		Switzerland	Hauschteck, 1965
Myrmica ruginodis	24			Switzerland	Hauschteck-Jungen & Jungen, 1983
Myrmica sabuleti		46		Switzerland	Hauschteck, 1965
Myrmica sabuleti	23			Switzerland	Hauschteck-Jungen & Jungen, 1983
Myrmica scabrinodis	22	44		Switzerland	Hauschteck, 1965
Myrmica schencki	23	46		Switzerland	Hauschteck-Jungen & Jungen, 1983
Myrmica sulcinodis	24			Switzerland	Crozier, 1975	2n=24 is probably a mistake
Myrmica sulcinodis	28	56		Switzerland	Hauschteck, 1965; Hauschteck-Jungen & Jungen, 1983
Myrmicaria		44		Indonesia	Imai et al., 1985
Myrmicaria		44		Malaysia	Goni et al., 1982
Myrmicaria		44		Malaysia	Goni et al., 1982; Imai et al., 1983
Myrmicaria	23	46		Malaysia	Imai et al., 1983
Myrmicaria brunnea		44	24M+20A	India	Imai et al., 1984	The photo is the ''Myrmicaria brunnea subcarinata''

Nomenclature

The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.

• MYRMICA [Myrmicinae: Myrmicini]
  • Myrmica Latreille, 1804: 179. Type-species: Formica rubra, by subsequent designation of Latreille, 1810: 437; see also Yarrow, 1955b: 113.
  • Myrmica senior synonym of Dodecamyrmica: Francoeur, 1981: 759.
  • Myrmica senior synonym of Paramyrmica, Sifolinia (and its junior synonym Symbiomyrma), Sommimyrma: Bolton, 1988a: 3; Bolton, 2003: 221.
  • Myrmica senior synonym of †Nothomyrmica: Radchenko, Dlussky & Elmes, 2007: 1495.
• DODECAMYRMICA [junior synonym of Myrmica]
  • Dodecamyrmica Arnol'di, 1968: 1803 [as subgenus of Myrmica]. Type-species: Myrmica arnoldii, by original designation.
  • Dodecamyrmica junior synonym of Myrmica: Francoeur, 1981: 759.
• †NOTHOMYRMICA [junior synonym of Myrmica]
  • †Nothomyrmica Wheeler, W.M. 1915h: 60. Type-species: †Macromischa rudis, by original designation.
  • [†Nothomyrmica Wheeler, W.M. 1908g: 413, and Wheeler, W.M. 1910g: 167, nomina nuda.]
  • †Nothomyrmica junior synonym of Myrmica: Radchenko, Dlussky & Elmes, 2007: 1495.
• PARAMYRMICA [junior synonym of Myrmica]
  • Paramyrmica Cole, 1957a: 37. Type-species: Paramyrmica colax, by original designation.
  • Paramyrmica junior synonym of Myrmica: Bolton, 1988a: 3.
• SIFOLINIA [junior synonym of Myrmica]
  • Sifolinia Emery, 1907: 49. Type-species: Sifolinia laurae, by monotypy.
  • Sifolinia senior synonym of Symbiomyrma: Samsinak, 1964: 156.
  • Sifolinia junior synonym of Myrmica: Bolton, 1988a: 3.
• SOMMIMYRMA [junior synonym of Myrmica]
  • Sommimyrma Menozzi, 1925d: 25. Type-species: Sommimyrma symbiotica, by original designation.
  • Sommimyrma junior synonym of Myrmica: Bolton, 1988a: 3.
• SYMBIOMYRMA [junior synonym of Myrmica]
  • Symbiomyrma Arnol'di, 1930c: 267. Type-species: Symbiomyrma karavajevi, by monotypy.
  • [Symbiomyrma also described as new by Arnol'di, 1933a: 41.]
  • Symbiomyrma junior synonym of Sifolinia: Samsinak, 1964: 156.
  • Symbiomyrma revived from synonymy: Seifert, 1994: 15; Seifert, 1996: 236.
  • Symbiomyrma junior synonym of Myrmica: Bolton, 1988a: 3; Bolton, 1995b: 47; Bolton, 2003: 222; Radchenko & Elmes, 2003: 219.

Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.

Description

Fossils

Queen

Jessen (2020) - BL < 7 mm, colour light brown; antenna, and tarsi dark brown. Mandibles elongate to subtriangular, with 5–6 teeth. Apical and sub-apical teeth bigger than the others. Clypeus anterior margin smooth, tapered in the middle. Antennal sockets widely separated. Antenna 12-segmented with distinct 3–4 segmented club, scape widely bended at base. Segments 3 to 7 of funiculus not slender, rather short and wide. Frontal carina diverging to both sides. The dark ring around the eyes is interpreted as a stronger sclerotized circumocular sulcus, clearly visible in light brown specimens. Scutum and scutellum remarkably flat. Scutum does not overlap pronotum anteriorly or laterally. Scutums anterior margin appears slightly arched and stepped. Scutellum is not oval-shaped with tapered ends. Scutellums posterior margin is strongly curved backwards. Front legs with combed tibial spurs. Steeply descending propodeum, almost vertically. As these specimens are less sclerotized, propodeal spines may break off easily. Only in one specimen they are preserved. Petiole with very short peduncle and dorsally rounded petiolar node. Postpetiole nodiform, constriction towards gaster weak or absent. Suture between dorsal and ventral sclerites of postpetiole distinct, partly open posteriorly (this could also have been caused by taphonomic effects).

References

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