Myrmica heterorhytida

Workers were found on mountain meadow at the altitude of 3300-4300 m.

Identification
A member of the pachei species group. It resembles Myrmica yunnanensis, but differs from the latter by the curved outwards frontal carinae, which merge with the rugae that surround antennal sockets, by the narrower frons, and by the coarsely and densely punctated, dull surface of the head dorsum between rugae. (Radchenko and Elmes 2010)

Distribution
Yunnan Province

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  heterorhytida. Myrmica heterorhytida Radchenko & Elmes, 2009a: 83, figs. 61-65 (w.) CHINA. See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 148.

Worker
Head suboval, distinctly longer than broad, with weakly convex sides and occipital margin, and widely rounded, barely marked occipital corners: anterior clypeal margin narrowly rounded and prominent, not notched medially. Upper latero-ventral corners of head rounded, not pointed (seen in profile). Mandibles with 9 teeth. Frontal carinae curved outwards to merge with rugae that surround antennal sockets; frons wide, frontal lobes not extended. Scape relatively long, slender, equal to head width, gradually and feebly curved at the base, without any trace of lobe or carina.

Alitrunk long and low, promesonotum convex (seen in prome). promcsonotal suture indistinct (seen from above). Metanotal groove deep. Propodeal lobes rounded apically. Propodeal spines relatively short, straight, thin and sharp, directed backward at an angle of about 30°. Petiole with distinct. but not long peduncle, its anterior surface strongly concave, petiolar node with narrowly rounded dorsum. Postpetiole subglobular, its anterior and dorsal surfaces forming a regular arch. Spurs on middle and hind tibiae in some specimens well developed and pectinate.

Frons with numerous fine, straight, subparallel longitudinal rugulae, numbering > 20 between frontal carinae level with the eyes; temples with fine reticulation, occiput with transverse rugulosity. Surface between rugae densely, but not coarsely punctated, appearing dull. Clypeus with fine longitudinal rugae, appearing shiny, frontal triangle smooth and shiny. Mandibles longitudinally rugulose.

Pronotum with dense, though not coarse, reticulation; mcsonota1 and propodeal dorsum with about 25 dense, though not coarse, transverse sinuous rugae; mesopleura and sides of propodeum with longitudinal rugosity. Surface between rugae of alitrunk appearing shiny, at most with a very fine superficial microsculpture. Petiole and post petiole with weak, short rugulae and densely punctated, appearing more or less dull. Gaster smooth and shiny. I

Head margins with not very abundant. Almost straight suberect hairs; alitrunk dorsum with longer hairs; petiole with 8 long and several shorter hairs. Scape and tibiae with rather long subdecumbent hairs. Head and alitrunk dark yellowish-red, dorsum of petiolar node, post petiole and gaster reddish-brown.

Type Material
Holotype worker, China, N Yunnan Prov., Zhongdian, 3300 m, 6-8.vii.2002, leg. S. Murzin and I. Shokhin.

Etymology
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - from the Greek words heteros = different or various, and rhytis = wrinkle or ruga, to reflect the various kinds of sculpture on the alitrunk.