Myrmica yamanei

Inhabits forest at altitudes between 1680 and 2200 m.

Identification
A member of the draco complex of the ritae species group (Radchenko, Elmes and Viet 2006); the body sculpture of the species belonging to this complex is intermediate between that of the ritae- and boltoni-complexes. M. yamanei well differs from Myrmica draco and Myrmica schoedli by the much coarser sculpture on the head dorsum with the well developed reticulation on its rear part. (Radchenko and Elmes 2010)

Key to Myrmica of Vietnam

Distribution
Northern Vietnam.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Vietnam.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  yamanei. Myrmica yamanei Radchenko & Elmes, 2001b: 223, figs. 8-12 (w.) VIETNAM. See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 328.

Worker
Head longer than broad, with convex sides. more or less straight occipital margin and rounded occipital corners, and upper latero-ventral corners pointed; anterior clypeal margin shallowly but distinctly notched medially; mandibles with 7-8 teeth. Frontal carinae feebly curved, frons wide; antennal sockets surrounded by a single ruga. Antennal scape very long (longer than head), gradually and weakly eurved at the base.

Alitrunk long and low, with convex promesonotal dorsum (in profile), promesonotal suture indistinct (from above): metanotal groove distinct and deep; metapleural lobes project apically to form sharp teeth. Propodeal spines very long, \vide at the base. acute, more or less straight, projecting mainly upwards (in profile) and divergent (from above). Petiole long, low and narrow: seen in profile peduncle approximately same length as node, anterior surface strongly concave, node dorsum slightly convex: postpetiole fig-shape (from above), slightly longer than high, its anterior surface slightly convex and node dorsum narrowly rounded (in profile). Spurs on middle and hind tibiae well developed and distinctly pectinate.

Whole body with very coarse sculpture. Frons between frontal carinae level with the eyes with six rugae. Only frons and genae with sinuous rugae, remainder of head dorsum with coarse reticulation; clypeus with coarse longitudinal rugae; mandibles striato-rugulose; frontal triangle smooth and shiny.

Alitrunk dorsum very coarsely reticulates, sides of pronotum with reticulation, mesopleurae and lower part of propodeal sides with rugae; petiole and postpetiole with coarse concentric rugae. Surfaces of head, alitrunk, petiole and postpetiole between rugae superficially but distinctly punctured, appearing dull (but punctures of pronotum somewhat reduced); gaster smooth and shiny. Numerous outstanding hairs present on head margins; hairs on alitrunk very long; hairs of antennal scapes and tibiae subdecumbent. Colour of alitrunk and head dark reddish-brown, gaster brownish-red, antennae and legs yellowish-red.

Type Material
Holotype, W, Northern Vietnam, Lao Cai, Sa Pa, Xeo Mi Ti, alt. 1680 m, 29-30.vii.1998, leg. B. T. Viet (Yamane)

Etymology
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - this species was dedicated to our friend and colleague, the Japanese myrmecologist Prof. Seiki Yamane from Kagoshima University.