Myrmica poldii

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
M. poldii belongs to the draco-complex of the ritae species group (for details see Radchenko and Elmes 1998, 2001; Radchenko et al. 2001a; Radchenko, Elmes and Viet 2006). It well differs from Myrmica draco by its much coarser sculpture of petiole and postpetiole and more reticulated sculpture of the head and alitrunk dorsum; in M. draco only the occiput and promesonotal dorsum are partly reticulate. M. poldii differs from Myrmica schoedli by the presence of reticulation on the head dorsum (only sinuous rugae occur in M. schoedli), its much more coarsely sculptured petiole and postpetiole, the reticulate sides of alitrunk, and by the relatively shorter scape. From Myrmica yamanei it differs by the less coarsely sculptured head dorsum, the inclination of propodeal spines, which are nearly horizontal, while in M. yamanei they are inclined at more than 45°. (Radchenko and Elmes 2010)

Distribution
known only from the type locality from Sichuan Province of China

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  poldii. Myrmica poldii Radchenko & Rigato, in Radchenko, Zhou, et al. 2008: 776, figs. 26-30 (w.) CHINA. See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 219.

Worker
Head longer than broad, with distinctly convex sides, feebly convex occipital margin, and very broadly rounded occipital corners, upper latero-ventral corners of head slightly pointed; anterior clypeal margin feebly convex, shallowly but distinctly notched medially. Mandibles with 9 teeth. Frontal carinae feebly curved, frons wide, frontal lobes somewhat raised vertically; antennal sockets surrounded by concentric rugae. Scape longer than head, gradually curved at the base.

Alitrunk long and low, with feebly convex promesonotal dorsum (seen in profile), promesonotal suture indistinct dorsally; metanotal groove distinct but shallow; propodeal lobes projecting apically to form sharp teeth. Propodeal spines very long, broad at the base, sharp, straight, nearly horizontal in profile, and slightly divergent. Petiole long and narrow, its anterior surface concave, node dorsum convex, postpetiole fig-shaped in dorsal view, somewhat longer than high, its anterior surface slightly convex, dorsum narrowly rounded (seen in profile). Spurs of middle and hind tibiae well developed and pectinate.

Anterior (lower) half of frons with fine longitudinal slightly sinuous rugae, rest of head dorsum finely reticulate. Frons between frontal carinae level with the eyes with 9 rugae. Clypeus with fine longitudinal rugulae, mandilbes rugulose. Surface of head dorsum between rugae densely punctate, appears dull; frontal triangle, antennal sockets and clypeus weakly superficially sculptured and mostly shiny.

Alitrunk and waist more coarsely sculptured than head. Whole alitrunk coarsely reticulate, waist with several coarse sinuous rugae and reticulation. Surface of alitrunk very finely superficially sculptured, appears shiny; waist densely punctate between rugae, appears dull. Gaster smooth and shiny.

Head margins with sparse, long standing hairs, alitrunk dorsum and waist more hairy.

Scape with subdecumbent pilosity, tibiae with decumbent one. Body brown, antennae and mandibles ferruginous, legs testaceus.

Measurements (mm) and indices of the holotype worker: HL 1.20, HW 1.08, FW 0.40, FLW 0.43, SL 1.29, AL 2.06. HTL 1.08. PNW 0.78, PL 0.59, PW 0.27. PH 0.35, PPL 0.45, PPW 0.42, PPH 0.44, ESL 0.58, ESD 0.48; CI 1.11, FI 0.37, FLI 1.08, SI1 1.08, SI2 1.19, PI1 1.60, PI2 0.55, PI3 0.25, PPI1 1.02, PPI2 1.05, PPI3 1.56, PPI4 0.39, ESLI 0.54, ESDI 0.83.

Type Material
Holotype, w, China, S Sichuan, 2220 m, pass SW of Mianning, Rhododendron primary deciduous forest, 14-21.vi.2004, leg. R. Fabbri (Milan).

Etymology
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - this species was dedicated to the memory of the Italian myrmecologist Dr. Bruno Poldi (1920-2002) of Mantova.