Myrmica oui

This species was found nesting under the litter layer and soil layer in broadleaf forest, at elevation 1202m.

Identification
Chen et al. (2016) - This species belongs to the draco-complex of the ritae species group that includes Myrmica draco, Myrmica poldii, Myrmica schoedli, Myrmica yamanei. The workers of this species complex seems to be intermediate between the ritae-complex and boltoni-complex, but differs from the latter two by head dorsum and mesosoma rugose, petiole and postpetiole finely striated and punctuated, space of head dorsum between rugae punctuated. In terms of geography, M. oui and M. draco may be occupying similar niches, but former differs from the latter by mesonotum abruptly curving down to the propodeum to form a distinct, deep and wide metanotal groove; in dorsal view, the dorsum of propodeum behind the metanotal groove bears a distinct U−shaped coarse ruga; first gastral tergite with clear superficial hexagonal microsculpture; body large (HW=1.38), dorsum of head with some dark patches. Given these obvious morphological differences, we are certain that M. oui is not a variety of M. draco but an independent science species.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China.

Nomenclature

 *  oui. Myrmica oui Chen, Zhue & Huang, 2016: 105, figs. 23-25 (w.) CHINA.

Worker
Holotype. HL 1.50, HW 1.32, FW 0.53, FLW 0.55, SL 1.60, PW 1.00, ML 2.25, PL 0.63, PH 0.40, ESL 0.68, CI 1.14, FI 0.40, FLI 1.04, SI1 1.07, SI2 1.21, ESLI 0.51. Paratypes (n = 2). HL 1.44−1.50, HW 1.28−1.33, FI 0.40−0.43, FLI 1.04−1.06, SL 1.56−1.59, PW 1.00−1.08, ML 2.10−2.17, PL 0.63−0.67, PH 0.40−0.45, ESL 0.63−0.64, CI 1.10−1.18, FW 0.50−0.59, FLW 0.50−0.56, SI1 1.02−1.08, SI2 0.77−0.80, ESLI 0.50−0.55.

Holotype worker. Head longer than broad, with very feebly convex sides, nearly straight posterior margin and broadly rounded posterior corners. Anterior clypeal margin very feebly convex, notched medially. Frontal carinae curved, merging with the rugae that extend to the posterior third dorsum of head. Frons wide, frontal lobes not extended, but raised vertically (i.e. perpendicular to the surface of the head). Antennal scape relatively long (SI2 1.21), longer than head width, gradually though distinctly curved at the base, without any trace of lobe or carina.

Mesosoma relatively short (compared to related species), promesonotal dorsum in profile view finely convex, promesonotal suture in dorsal view indistinct; mesonotum abruptly curved down to propodeum to form distinct, deep and wide metanotal groove. Propodeal lobes projecting to form short and blunt triangle. Propodeal spines relatively long, widened at the base, directly backward and downward. Petiole relatively long and narrow, with strongly concave of anterior surface, dorsum of node feebly convex, with distinct dorsal plate; postpetiole as shown in figures, slightly shorter than high.

Head with fine, almost straight, posteriorly diverging longitudinal rugae on the whole dorsum, eight rugae between frontal carinae level with the eyes. Posterior part and sides of the head without reticulations, spaces between rugae densely punctate, dull. Clypeus with longitudinal rugae, surface between rugae shiny. Frontal triangle smooth and shiny.

Dorsum of mesosoma with coarse reticulation, lateral sides with coarse sinuous longitudinal rugae. Lower part of mesopleuron and sides of propodeum with coarse longitudinal rugae. In dorsal view, dorsum of propodeal behind the metanotal groove with a distinct U-shaped coarse rugae. Petiole and postpetiole at most with very fine sculptures or short irregular rugae and dense, though not coarse, punctures and dull.

Head posterior margin with long suberect hairs; mesosoma dorsum with longer hairs, petiole with 6−8 long hairs. Antennal scape with suberect hairs. Tibiae with subdecumbent hairs. Head, gaster and petiole and postpetiole brownish-red, dorsum of head with some dark patches. Mesosoma black to blackish-brown.

Paratypes. As holotype, but in one individual, petiole only with 4 long hairs.

Type Material
Holotype worker. Kuankuoshui, Guizhou Prov., China, 28°14'24"N, 107°12'00"E, 1202m. 16.viii.2010, leg. Duoduo Ye, No. G100231. Paratypes. 4 workers, data as holotype. Deposited in the Insect Collection of.

Etymology
The specific epithet is the last name of a famous Chinese artist in the Tang Dynasty, Yanxun Ou.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Chen Z. L., S. Y. Zhou, and J. H. Huang. 2016. Seven species new to science and one newly recorded species of the ant genus Myrmica Latreille, 1804 from China, with proposal of a new synonym (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). ZooKeys 551: 85–128.