Myrmica hlavaci

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
A member of the pachei group that most resembles Myrmica phalacra. It differs from the latter species by the densely rugulose head dorsum, sculpture of propodeal dorsum, shorter scape, etc. (Radchenko and Elmes 2010)

Distribution
Sichuan Province, China.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  hlavaci. Myrmica hlavaci Radchenko & Elmes, 2009a: 76, figs. 36-40 (w.) CHINA. See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 151.

Worker
Head longer than broad, with convex sides, straight occipital margin, and broadly rounded occipital corners; anterior clypeal margin broadly rounded, slightly prominent and not notched medially. Upper latero-ventral corners of head rounded, not pointed (seen in profile). Mandibles with 8-9 teeth. Frontal carinae feebly curved, merging with rugae that extend to the posterior head margin. not curved outwards and not merging with rugae than surround antennal sockets. Frons wide, frontal lobes not extended. Scape relatively short, shorter than head width, gradually, though distinctly, curved at the base, without any trace of lobe or carina. Alitrunk not robust, promesonotum slightly flattened (seen in profile), with barely marked promesonotal suture (seen from above). Metanotal groove distinct, wide, but shallow. Propodeal lobes rounded apically. Propodeal spines relatively short, straight, sharp, widened at the base, directed backward at an angle less than 45°. Petiole high, with very short peduncle, its anterior surface steep, almost straight, meeting the posterior one at an acute angle, dorsum of node very narrowly rounded, so that petiole is subtriangular (seen in profile). Postpetiole subgiobular. Spurs on middle and hind tibiae well developed and pectinate.

Frons with fairly dense, fine, almost straight longitudinal rugosity, numbering ≥ 20 between frontal carinae level with the eyes, only temples with fine reticulation; surface between rugae densely superficially punctated, but appearing more or less shiny (not dull). Clypeus with longitudinal rugae (medially it can be smooth) and without punctures, appearing shiny; frontal triangle smooth and shiny; mandibles longitudinally rugose.

Pornotal dorsum with irregular sinuous rugae and reticulution, its sides rugulose; mesonotal dorsum with < 15 transverse sinuous rugae: propodeal dorsum with short, slightly sinuous longitudinal rugae; mesopleura and sides of propodeum with longitudinal rugosity. Surface between rugae on alitrunk superficially sculptured, but appearing shiny. Petiole and postpetiole with short irregular rugulae and densely, though not coarsely, punctated, appearing dull. Gster smooth and shiny.

Lateral margins of head above the eyes without hairs, only genae, temples mid occipital margin with a few, quite long suberect hairs. Promesonotal dorsum with a moderate number of long erect hairs; propodeal dorsum without long hairs, or at most with a few fairly short ones; petiole with 6--8 long and a few shorter hairs. Scape with subdecumbent hairs, tibiae with decumbent pilosity only. Body colour dark reddish-brown, head and appendages somewhat darker than alitrunk.

Type Material
Holotype, w, China, Sichuan Prov., Li Xian Miyaluo Nat. Res., Danzhamu valley, 3250 m, 31°23, 902'N, 103°14, 827'E, 18-22.v.2006, leg. Sehnal and Tryzne ; paratypes: 2 workers with the same label (IZK, ).

Etymology
Dedicated to the amateur entomologist Peter Hlavac of Kosice, Slovakia, who provided to us material for investigation.