Myrmica deplanata

M. deplanata is one of the most thermo-xerophilous species of the genus Myrmica. Although it has a widespread distribution, nests of M. deplanata are comparatively rare, it has never been reported as being abundant even in apparently optimal habitats. It inhabits mostly steppes and steppe-like habitats at low altitudes, where it prefers stony sites with low, often sparse vegetation. Nests are built in the soil, often under stones in places that become very hot in summer months. Although it is reportedly tolerant of high soil salinity it is not particularly associated with the damper steppe areas that can become quite salted. Sexuals have been found in nests from July-September. (Radchenko and Elmes 2010)

Identification
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) – A member of the schencki group that differs from sympatric Myrmica schencki, Myrmica caucasicola and Myrmica koreana by its wider frons and less extended frontal lobes; the males well differ from all other schencki-group species by their very short scape (for details see Radchenko, Elmes and Alicata 2006).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Austria, Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Georgia, Hungary, Iran, Kazakhstan, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation , Slovakia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine.

Nomenclature

 *  deplanata. Myrmica lobicornis var. deplanata Emery, 1921f: 38 (w.) UKRAINE, RUSSIA, GEORGIA. [First available use of Myrmica scabrinodis subsp. lobicornis var. deplanata Ruzsky, 1905b: 700; unavailable name.] Subspecies of lobicornis: Karavaiev, 1927a: 283; of schencki: Finzi, 1926: 111. Raised to species: Arnol'di, 1934: 169; Karavaiev, 1934: 83; Stitz, 1939: 105; Tarbinsky, 1976: 31. Senior synonym of moravica, plana: Karavaiev, 1934: 83; Arnol'di, 1970b: 1843; Seifert, 1988b: 36; Radchenko & Elmes, 2009c: 511; Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 116; of dagmarae: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 116. Junior synonym of lacustris: Radchenko, 1994f: 77; Seifert, 2003b: 150; Radchenko, Elmes & Alicata, 2006: 516. Revived from synonymy: Radchenko & Elmes, 2009c: 511. See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 116.
 * moravica. Myrmica moravica Soudek, 1922: 45, fig. 21 (w.q.) CZECHIA. Soudek, 1925a: 35 (m.). [Also described as new by Soudek, 1923: 107.] Status as species: Finzi, 1926: 104; Weber, 1950b: 213. Subspecies of deplanata: Novak & Sadil, 1941: 80; Kratochvíl, in Kratochvíl, Novak & Snoflak, 1944: 40; Sadil, 1952: 263. Junior synonym of deplanata: Karavaiev, 1934: 83; Arnol'di, 1970b: 1843; Seifert, 1988b: 36; of lacustris: Radchenko, 1994f: 77; Seifert, 2003b: 150; Radchenko, Elmes & Alicata, 2006: 516; of deplanata: Radchenko & Elmes, 2009c: 511; Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 116.
 * plana. Myrmica lobicornis var. plana Karavaiev, 1927a: 283, fig. 1 (w.) UKRAINE. Arnol'di, 1934: 170 (q.m.). Subspecies of schencki: Karavaiev, 1929b: 208; of deplanata: Arnol'di, 1934: 170. Junior synonym of deplanata: Karavaiev, 1934: 83; Arnol'di, 1970b: 1843; Seifert, 1988b: 36; of lacustris: Radchenko, 1994f: 78; Seifert, 2003b: 150; Radchenko, Elmes & Alicata, 2006: 516; of deplanata: Radchenko & Elmes, 2009c: 511; Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 116.
 * dagmarae. Myrmica moravica var. dagmarae Sadil, 1939b: 108 (w.q.m.) CZECHIA. Junior synonym of deplanata: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 116.

Taxonomic Notes
See Radchenko & Elmes (2009) for notes on type specimens.

Worker
Seifert (2003), translation of Rusky - Differs from the typical lobicornis by the almost absent constriction between meso-metanotum, of which exist only traces, because the profile of back is more vaulted and almost even [Ruzsky exactly wrote: "pochemu spinnoij profil yvlyaetsya boleye vypuklym i pochti rovnym", B.S.]. Spines shorter, thin, acute. At the bend of antennal scape an acute dent, or small acute lobe. Second waist segment almost smooth above, weakly shining, with a thin and minor net-like rugosity. Setae on the body very rare, sometimes almost absent from thorax and dorsum of gaster."

Etymology
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - derived from the word deplanate meaning flattened (above and below), which itself derives from the Latin word complanatus, it presumably refers to the "more flattened" propodeum dorsum compared to Myrmica scabrinodis.