Myrmica weii

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) – A member of the pachei group. It well differs from M. pachei and M. villosa by the much coarser transverse rugosity on the propodeal and mesonotal dorsum and reticulated pronotal dorsum. Its head margins have numerous long suberect hairs, and by this feature it is similar to Myrmica pleiorhytida, Myrmica multiplex, Myrmica yunnanensis and Myrmica heterorhytida. It differs from the first species by its distinctly longer head (CI > 1.20 vs. < 1.15), it has a much lower petiole than M. multiplex (PI1 1.68 vs. < 1.55), and has coarser transversal rugosity on the alitrunk dorsum than M. yunnanensis and M. heterorhytida (number of the rugae on this area ≤ 20 vs. ≥ 25). In some respects M. weii resembles Myrmica inezae for which it was mistaken when first collected. It well differs from that species by its reticulated pronotal dorsum whereas the whole alitrunk dorsum of M. inezae is transversely rugose, and especially by the shape of petiole and propodeal spines.

Distribution
Known only from the type locality in the Shaanxi Province, China

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  weii. Myrmica weii Radchenko & Zhou, in Radchenko, Zhou, et al. 2008: 779, figs. 39-43 (w.) CHINA. See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 322.

Worker
Head suboval, distinctly longer than broad, with convex sides and occipital margin, and very widely roundcd occipital corners; anterior clypcal margin widely convex, neither prominent nor notched medially. Mandibles with 7 teerh. Frontal carinae do not curve outwards and do not merge with rugae which surround antennal sockets. Frons wide, frontal lobes not extended. Scape of moderate length, shorter than head length, gradually curved at the base, without any trace of lobe or carina.

Alitrunk with convex promesonotal dorsum, promesonotal suture indistinct dorsally. Metanotal groove deep. Propodeal lobes rounded apically. Propodeal spines of moderate length, acute, straight, not widened at the base, inclined at about 45°. Petiole long and low, anterior face of node straight, not sleep, node dorsum long and very feebly convex, somewhat sloping posteriorly. Anterior and dorsal surfaces of postpetiole forming a regular arch. Spurs of middle und hind tibiae well developed and pectinate.

Frons with moderately fine straight, distinctly divergent rugae, numbering more than 20 between the frontal carinae level with the eyes; occiput and temples with moderately fine reticulation. Surface between rugae very densely punctate, appears dull. Clypeus finely longitudinally rugulose; clypeus and frontal triangle with very fine superficial microsculpture, appear shiny; mandibles longitudinally rugose.

Pronotual dorsum with coarse reticulation, lower half of its sides with longitudinal sinuous rugae; mesonotum and propodeal dorsum with less than 20 coarse transversal rugae. Mesopleura and lower part of sides of propodeum longitudinally rugose: surface between rugae smooth and shiny. Petiolar node and postpetiole with sinuous longitudinal rugosity, surface between rugae finely superficially punctate, but appears shiny. Gaster with very fine superficial microreticulation, but shiny.

Head margins with moderately long suberect hairs. Alitrunk and waist with long standing hairs, of which more than 15 occur on petiole. Scape and tibiae with quite long subdecumbent hairs.

Body colour reddish-brown. Appendages somewhat lighter.

Measurements (mm) and indices of the holotype worker: HL 1.77, HW 1.46, FW 0.62, FLW 0.63, SL 1.55, AL 2.60, HTL 1.65, PNW 1.03, PL 0.81, PW 0.40, PH 0.49, PPL 0.60, PPW 0.57, PPH 0.60, ESL 0.50, ESD 0.60, CI 1.21, FI 0.43, FLI 1.02, SI1 0.88, SI2 1.07, PI1 1.68, PI2 0.56, PI3 0.27, PPI1 1.00, PPI2 1.05, PPI3 1.44, PPI4 0.39, ESLI 0.35, ESDI 1.15.

Type Material
Holotype, w, China, Shaanxi Prov., Houzhenzi, July 251997, Cong Wei leg. (Guilin)

Etymology
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - named for the collector, the Chinese entomologist Prof. Cong Wei of The Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, China.