Myrmica surusumi

Myrmica surusumi
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Myrmicinae
Tribe:	Myrmicini
Genus:	Myrmica
Species:	M. surusumi
Binomial name
	Myrmica surusumi; Terayama, Kinomura & Kitazawa, 2024

Common Name

Surusumi-kushikeari
Language:	Japanese

This highland species is found at elevations of 1,400 to 2,000 meters above sea level in the Japanese Alps in central Honshu. In Hokkaido, it lives at lower elevations, from the lowlands up to 900 meters. It typically inhabits open areas such as dry sites and grasslands, where it nests in the soil.

Identification

Terayama et al. (2024) - This species belongs to the Myrmica lobicornis complex of the Myrmica lobicornis species group by Radchenko & Elmes (2010). Among the M. lobicornis-complex, this species especially resembles Myrmica jessensis by the antennal scape narrowed near the base, sharply angled at the base, with a small vertical lobe, frontal carina strongly curved, so frons narrow, and frontal lobe extended, propodeal spine widened at the base, and anterior surface of petiolar node distinctly concave. However, it is separated from M. jessensis by the following characteristics:

In worker and female, dorsum of bend of antennal scape forming an acute triangle (almost right angle or very weakly produced in M. jessensis), anterior margin of base of scape convex in lateral view (straight in M. jessensis), dorsal margin of base of scape convex in anterior view (straight in M. jessensis), and dorsal margin of propodeum straight (convex in M. jessensis).
In males, antennal scape long (SL 0.70±0.02, HW 0.82±0.03, SI2 0.85±0.02, n=15; Fig. 8) (shorter in M. jessensis, SL 0.61±0.04, HW 0.95±0.02, SI2 0.65±0.02, n = 15), and posterodorsal corner of propodeum without spine (propodeum with a dull propodeal spine in M. jessensis).

Terayama et al. (2024), Fig. 8. Scape length-head width relationship of Myrmica surusumi (blue) and Myrmica jessensis Forel, 1901 (orange) in males. Relationship is defined as follows: Y = 0.584 X + 0.220 (r = 0.796, p<0.01) in M. surusumi, and Y = 0.582 X + 0.060 (r = 0.813, p<0.01) in M. jessensis, where Y is the scape length, and X is the head width.

Keys including this Species

Key to Japanese Myrmica workers

Distribution

Terayama et al. (2024), Fig. 1. Map showing the sampling location and distribution of Myrmica surusumi (circles) and Myrmica yadori (square).

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 43.8° to 35.7°.


North Temperate	North Subtropical	Tropical	South Subtropical	South Temperate

Source: Terayama et al., 2024

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Japan (type locality).

Distribution based on AntMaps

Distribution based on AntWeb specimens

Check data from AntWeb

Countries Occupied

Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species.

Estimated Abundance

Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species.

Biology

Castes

Gyne


Gyne (alate). Photographer Terayama et al. (2024).	Owned by NIAS.

Male


Male. Photographer Terayama et al. (2024).	Owned by NIAS.

Nomenclature

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

surusumi. Myrmica surusumi Terayama et al., 2024: 75, figs. 1-7, 13, 14, 41-43 (w.q.m.) JAPAN.
- Type-material: holotype worker, 43 paratype workers, 16 paratype queens, 24 paratype males.
- Type-locality: holotype Japan: Nagano-ken, Chino-shi, Kitayama, 25.viii.2021 (R. Kitazawa)
- Type-depository: NIAS (holotype + paratypes)

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

Type Material

Holotype worker: Japan, Nagano Prefecture, Chino-shi, Kitayama, 25 August 2021 (R. Kitazawa) (deposited in NIAS).
Paratypes: 2 paratype workers, 3 paratype queens with same data as holotype; 3 paratype workers, 3 paratype queens, 1 paratype male with same data as holotype but 25.xiii.2021 (Kitazawa) [KR526]; 3 paratype workers, 3 paratype queens, 3 paratype males Japan: Nagano-ken, Koumi-machi, 24.viii.2021 (R. Kitazawa) [KR524]; 4 paratype workers Japan: Gifu-ken, Takayamashi, Takane-cho, 12.ix.2015 (K. Kinomura) [KR506]; 2 paratype workers Japan: Nagano-ken, Ina-shi, Hase, viii.2021 (R. Kitazawa) [KR527]; 2 paratype workers with same data as previous but [KR528]; 5 paratype workers, 1 paratype queen, 4 paratype males Japan: Yamanashi-ken, Kofu-shi, Kamiobina-cho, 18. viii. 2023 (R. Kitazawa) [KR592]; 11 paratype workers, 6 paratype queens, 16 paratype males Japan: Hokkaido, Kamifurano-cho, Fukiage, 1.ix.2022 (Kitazawa) [KR590]; 8 paratype workers with same data as previous but [KR591]; 1 paratype worker Japan: Hokkaido, Mashike-cho, Betsukari, 2.ix.2022 (R. Kitazawa); 2 paratype workers Japan: Hokkaido, Tomakomaishi, Nishikioka, 4.ix.2022 (R. Kitazawa) (all deposited in NIAS).

Description

Worker

Measurements (mm) and indices: Holotype worker; HL 1.08, HW 0.94, FW 0.31, FLW 0.36, SL 0.78, AL 1.41, HTL 0.75, PNW 0.67, PL 0.45, PW 0.30, PH 0.36, PPL 0.39, PPW 0.45, PPH 0.46, PSL 0.25, PSD 0.37, TL 4.2, CI 0.87, FI 0.33, FLI 1.16, SI1 0.72, SI2 0.83, PI1 1.50, PI2 1.24, PI3 0.32, PPI1 0.85, PPI2 1.02, PPI3 1.50, PPI4 0.48, PSLI 0.26, PSWLDI 1.51.

Measurements (mm) and indices: Paratype workers (n=7); HL 1.09±0.05, 1.03–1.17, HW 0.91±0.02, 0.88–0.94, FW 0.31±0.01, 0.29–0.33, FLW 0.38±0.01, 0.36–0.40, SL 0.81±0.02, 0.78–0.85, AL 1.41±0.04, 1.35–1.48, HTL 9.73±0.01, 0.72–0.75 PNW 0.67±0.01, 0.66–0.68, PL 0.43±0.02, 0.40–0.45, PW 0.29±0.01, 0.28–0.30, PH 0.36±0.01, 0.35–0.36, PPL 0.41±0.01, 0.39–0.43, PPW 0.44±0.01, 0.44–0.45, PPH 0.45±0.01, 0.43–0.46, PSL 0.25±0.01, 0.25–0.26, PSD 0.38±0.01, 0.37–0.39, TL 4.2±0.1, 4.1–4.3, CI 0.83±0.04, 0.76–0.87, FI 0.34±0.01, 0.32–0.45, FLI 1.23±0.04, 1.16– 1.26, SI1 0.75±0.04, 0.68–0.80, SI2 0.90±0.01, 0.87–0.91, PI1 1.49±0.05, 1.42–1.55, PI2 1.22±0.04, 1.13–1.27, PI3 0.32±0.01, 0.31–0.33, PPI1 0.92±0.03, 0.85–0.94, PPI2 1.00±0.03, 0.96–1.03, PPI3 1.53±0.04, 1.48–1.59, PPI4 0.49±0.01, 0.48–0.50, PSLI 0.28±0.01, 0.26–0.29, PSWLDI 1.51±0.02, 1.48–1.54.

Structure: With characters diagnostic of the genus Myrmica and Myrmica lobicornis-complex as mentioned above. Head 1.15 times as long as wide, with almost straight posterior margin and round occipital corner in full-face view. Frons relatively narrow (FI 0.33); frontal lobe extended and convex; frontal carina concave, merge with a ruga that extend to occipital margin. Anterior margin of clypeus moderately convex with a median notch; anteriodorsal margin strongly convex in lateral view. Antennal scape shorter than head length (SI1 0.72), and head width (SL1 0.83); base of scape strongly angled, bent at a right-angle with an acute triangle and concave anterior margin in lateral view; in anterior view, basal surface rectangular with developed vertical and dorsal lobes; dorsal lobe with a convex dorsal margin. Apical 4 funicular segments forming a club. Eye prominent, 0.13 mm in maximum diameter, with ca. 14 facets in the longest row. Dorsal outline of pronotum weakly convex in profile; in dorsal view anterolateral corner rounded, not forming a distinct angle. Mesonotal dorsum straight. Metanotal groove shallowly incised dorsally, ca. 0.03 mm deep and 7.3 times as wide as deep. Propodeal dorsum convex; propodeal spine relatively long (PSL 0.25 mm), 1.4 times as long as its basal width, with wide basal triangle and a straight dorsal margin of acute tip. Petiole longer than high (PI2 1.24), with almost straight dorsal margin and obtusely angulate anterodorsal and posterodorsal margins; in dorsal view, dorsal disc wider than long, with almost straight lateral margin. Postpetiole slightly higher than long (PPI1 0.85), with convex anterior and dorsal margins; anterodorsal margin not forming an angle; posterodorsal margin forming a dull angle; in dorsal view, node wider than long, widest at mid length, with convex lateral margins. Gaster oval, 0.98 mm in maximum width in dorsal view.

Sclupture: Surface between frontal carinae with 10 longitudinal rugae, and even reticulate; vertex reticulate; gena and malar space rugose and even reticulate; temple reticulate. Mandible with 7–8 longitudinal striae from the base to tip. Clypeus with 13 straight rugulae. Dorsum of alitrunk with longitudinal rugae and even reticulate, with smooth interspaces; lateral surface of pronotum with 6 strong longitudinal rugae; surfaces of mesopleuron and metapleuron longitudinally rugose. Lateral surface of petiolar node microreticulate, with several longitudinal rugae at upper portion, dorsal disc microreticulate, with 4 longitudinal rugulae at outer sides. Lateral surface of postpetiolar node reticulate, with microreticulate interspaces; dorsal disc microreticulate with several longitudinal rugulae at outer sides. Gaster very weakly microreticulate. Legs mostly smooth. Suberect setae present at head, pronotal dorsum, dorsa of petole and postpetiole, and gastric terga; 1st gastral tergite with moderately abundant suberect satae which are ca. 0.3–0.5 mm long.

Color: Body including head black excepting propodeal spine, propodeal lobe and tip of gaster yellowish brown; mandible, antenna and legs yellowish brown.

Queen

Measurements (mm) and indices: Paratype queens (n=7); HL 1.21±0.02, 1.18–1.24, HW 1.08±0.03, 1.05–1.13, FW 0.38±0.01, 0.36–0.39, FLW 0.46±0.02, 0.44–0.48, SL 0.86±0.02, 0.84–0.89, AL 1.89±0.02, 1.85–1.93, HTL 0.90±0.01, 0.88–0.91, PNW 0.99±0.02, 0.95–1.03, PL 0.59±0.01, 0.58–0.60, PW 0.34±0.01, 0.34–0.35, PH 0.45±0.01, 0.43–0.47, PPL 0.54±0.01, 0.53–0.55, PPW 0.60±0.01, 0.58–0.63, PPH 0.60±0.02, 0.58–0.63, PSL 0.27±0.02, 0.25–0.30, PSD 0.45±0.02, 0.44–0.48, SCW 0.94±0.03, 0.90–1.00, MCL 1.30±0.04, 1.25–1.35, AH 1.13±0.01, 1.11–1.15, TL 5.6±0.1, 5.3–5.7, CI 0.90±0.02, 0.87–0.93, FI 0.35±0.01, 0.33–0.37, FLI 1.20±0.05, 1.13– 1.25, SI1 0.71±0.02, 0.68–0.73, SI2 0.79±0.03, 0.74–0.84, PI1 1.72±0.03, 1.66–1.76, PI2 1.31±0.03, 1.26–1.35, PI3 0.32±0.01, 0.30–0.33, PPI1 0.90±0.01, 0.87–0.91, PPI2 1.00±0.01, 0.97–1.02, PPI3 1.76±0.05, 1.71–1.85, PPI4 0.56±0.01, 0.55–0.57, PSLI 0.25±0.02, 0.22–0.29, PSWLDI 1.66±0.06, 1.60–1.76, AI 1.67±0.04, 1.53–1.74, SCI 1.39±0.06, 1.32–1.50.

Structure: Head subrectangular, 1.10–1.15 times as long as wide, with very weakly convex posterior margin and round occipital corner in full-face view. Frons relatively wide; frontal lobe very weakly extended; frontal carina almost straight, merge with a ruga that extend to occipital margin. Anterior margin of clypeus moderately convex, with a median convexcity. Antenna with 12 segments; frst 5 antennomeres in a ratio of 64 : 12 : 7 : 6 : 6 in length; scape shorter than head length (SI1 0.68–0.73), and head width (SI2 0.74–0.84); base of scape strongly angled, bent at a right-angle with an acute triangle corner and convex margin in lateral view; in anterior view, basal surface rectangular with vertical and dorsal lobes; dorsal lobe with convex dorsal margin; 3rd antennal segment slightly longer than wide; 4th to 8th segments each as long as wide; apical 4 segments forming a club; terminal segment 1.9 times as long as wide. Compound eye prominent, 0.29–0.32 mm in maximum diameter. Ocelli forming an obtuse triangle, anterior ocellus ca. 0.08 mm in diameter. Dorsal outline of mesoscutum weakly convex in profile; dorsum of scutellum almost straight; propodeal spine long (PSL 0.25–0.30), 1.2 times as long as its basal width, with an acute tip. Petiole longer than wide, with weakly concave anterior margin and almost straight dorsal margin; anterodorsal margin obtusely convex. Postpetiole slightly higher than long, with moderately convex dorsal margin with obtusely convex posterodorsal margin; in dorsal view, node wider than long, widest at near posterior 2/5, with convex lateral margins. Gaster oval, 1.32–1.41 mm in maximum width in dorsal view.

Sclupture: Surface between frontal carinae with ca. 14 longitudinal rugae; vertex strongly reticulate; gena and malar space moderately rugose; temple reticulate. Mandible with 6 or 7 rugulae. Clypeus with ca. 10 longitudinal rugulae. Dorsum of pronotum reticulate, lateral surface with 6 or 7 strong longitudinal rugae, upper portion even reticulate; mesoscutum and scutellum with 12–14 strong longitudinal rugae, surfaces of mesopleuron, metapleuron and propodeum longitudinally rugose; propodeal dorsum longitudinally rugulose. Lateral surface of petiolar node microreticulate, with several longitudinal rugae at upper portion; dorsal disc reticulate, with several longitudinal rugulae. Lateral surface of postpetiolar node microreticulate, with several longitudinal rugae; dorsal disc microreticulate, with irregular rugae. Gaster smooth and shining. Legs mostly smooth.

Color: Body including head black to blackish brown excepting propodeal spine, propodeal lobe and tip of gaster yellowish brown; mandible, antenna and legs yellowish brown.

Male

Measurements (mm) and indices: Paratype males (n=7); HL 0.87±0.03, 0.83–0.91, HW 0.83±0.04, 0.76–0.82, FW 0.29±0.01, 0.29–0.30, FLW 0.24±0.01, 0.23–0.25, SL 0.72±0.03, 0.68–0.78, AL 1.78±0.06, 1.70–1.85, HTL 0.87±0.03, 0.83–0.90, PNW 0.90±0.03, 0.83–0.93, PL 0.44±0.01, 0.41–0.45, PW 0.30±0.01, 0.29–0.31, PH 0.37±0.01, 0.35–0.39, PPL 0.49±0.05, 0.45–0.50, PPW 0.45±0.01, 0.45–0.46, PPH 0.48±0.02, 0.46–0.51, PSD 0.33±0.01, 0.31–0.34, SCW 0.85±0.03, 0.80–0.88, MCL 1.29±0.02, 1.26–1.33, AH 1.06±0.02, 1.03–1.08, TL 5.1±0.2, 4.8–5.3, CI 0.95±0.03, 0.91–0.98, FI 0.36±0.02, 0.33–0.39, FLI 0.81±0.03, 0.77–0.86, SI1 0.82±0.04, 0.76–0.86, SI2 0.87±0.05, 0.82–0.92, PI1 1.45±0.04, 1.41–1.50, PI2 1.17±0.06, 1.10–1.29, PI3 0.36±0.02, 0.33–0.39, PPI1 1.00±0.04, 0.94–1.07, PPI2 1.05±0.05, 1.00–1.13, PPI3 1.51±0.03, 1.45–1.55, PPI4 0.55±0.03, 0.51–0.59, AI 1.67±0.05, 1.65–1.76, SCI 1.52±0.06, 1.43–1.63.

Structure: Head slightly longer than wide excluding eyes, 1.09–1.31 times as long as wide, with convex posterior margin and round posterolateral corners in full-face view. Frons relatively narrow, widest at posterior end. Anterior margin of clypeus almost straight medially. Antenna with 13 segments;first5antennomeresinaratioof25:6:4:3:3in length; scape relatively long (SI2 0.82–0.92); base of scape bent at obtuse angle, without dorsal and lateral lobes; pedicel ca. 2.0 times as long as wide; 3rd segment 3.0 times as long as wide; 4th 2.0 times as long as wide; 5th 1.5 times as long as wide; 6th to 8th segments each slightly longer than wide; apical 4 segments forming a club; terminal segment ca. 2.4 times as long as wide. Eye strongly prominent, 0.28–0.31 mm in maximum diameter. Ocelli forming obtuse triangle, anterior ocellus ca. 0.06 mm in diameter. Mesoscutum with broadly convex dorosal margina in profile, dorsal surface with a shallow longitudinal fovea at anterior median portion, and with large V-shaped striae; notauli present at posterior half. Scutellum thick and raised, with almost straight dorsum and weakly convex posterior margin in profile. Propodeal dorsum almost straight in profile; posterodorsal corner rounded, without spine, declivitous face weakly concave. Petiole longer than wide, with gently convex dorsum, anterolateral and posterolateral margins not forming an angle. Postpetiole slightly higher than long, with moderately convex dorsal margin. Gaster 0.86–0.89 mm in maximum width in dorsal view.

Sclupture: Frons longitudinally rugulose; median portion of surface of vertex longitudinally rugulose; lateral portion with oblique rugulae and even reticulate; malar space to temple reticulate. Dorsum of pronotum microreticulate; lateral surface longitudinally rugulose; mesoscutum longitudinally striae; scutellum with ca. 12 longitudinal rugae; propodeal dorsum with oblique rugulae. Mesopleuron with oblique rugae; metapleuron and lateral surface of propodeum varies from very weakly to moderately reticulate. Lateral surface of petiole microreticulate with 4 or 5 rugae at upper portion; postpetiole smooth, without distinct rugae. Gaster smooth and shining. Legs weakly microreticulate.

Color: Body black to blackish brown excepting tip of gaster yellowish; mandible with dark brown distal half and yellowish apical half; antennal scape dark brown excepting apical portion yellowish brown; pedicel and funicles yellowish brown; legs dark brown excepting tarsi yellowish brown.

Etymology

The specific epithet is the old Japanese noun Surusumi, which means Chinese calligraphy ink or black, referring to the dark coloration of the body.

References

Terayama, M., Kinomura, K., Kitazawa, R. 2024. Two New Species of the Ant Genus Myrmica Latreille, 1804 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae) from Japan. Japanese Journal of Systematic Entomology 30 (1):74-85.