Myrmica lobulicornis

Like the taxonomy, the ecology of Myrmica lobicornis and M. lobulicornis has been confounded and little can be added to the information given for M. lobicornis. In our experience, M. lobulicornis lives in more open habitats than M. lobicornis, often being found under stones and having generally larger colonies. It is a slightly less cryptic forager than M. lobicornis (see notes on ecology of that species) and forages among the stems of the vegetation more similar to the mode of foraging of sympatric Myrmica scabrinodis.

Identification
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) – A member of the lobicornis complex of the lobicornis species group and strongly resembles Myrmica lobicornis, differing mainly by its wider frons (mean PI 0.34 vs 0.28), its generally smaller scape-lobes and more southerly, montane distribution in Europe. In Europe, together with M. lobicornis, it comprises a complex of closely related species and infraspecific forms.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Andorra, Austria, Canary Islands, France, Iberian Peninsula, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland.

Other Insects
This ant has been associated with a butterfly species that has recently been recognized to be two species: Polyommatus icarus and Polyommatus celin. Presently it is unclear if this association is between M. lobulicornis  and one or the other of these species, or both (Obregon et al. 2015).

Nomenclature

 *  lobulicornis. Myrmica lobicornis var. lobulicornis Nylander, 1857: lxxix (w.) FRANCE. Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 193 (q.m.). Raised to species: Bondroit, 1920a: 151. Subspecies of lobicornis: Emery, 1921f: 38; Weber, 1948a: 287. Junior synonym of lobicornis: Bernard, 1967: 122; Seifert, 1988b: 38. Revived from synonymy, revived status as species and senior synonym of alpina, appenina, pyrenaea: Seifert, 2005: 6. See also: Radchenko, 2007: 29; Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 191.
 * pyrenaea. Myrmica arduennae var. pyrenaea Bondroit, 1918: 106, fig. 53 (w.) FRANCE. Raised to species: Bondroit, 1920a: 151. Subspecies of lobicornis: Finzi, 1926: 108; Santschi, 1931b: 350. Junior synonym of lobicornis: Seifert, 1988b: 38; of lobulicornis: Seifert, 2005: 6.
 * alpina. Myrmica lobicornis subsp. alpina Stärcke, 1927: 80, figs. 1, 3 (w.q.) ITALY. Junior synonym of lobicornis: Bernard, 1967: 122; Seifert, 1988b: 38; of lobulicornis: Seifert, 2005: 6.
 * apennina. Myrmica lobicornis subsp. apennina Stärcke, 1927: 82, fig. 1 (w.) ITALY. Junior synonym of lobicornis: Seifert, 1988b: 38; of lobulicornis: Seifert, 2005: 6.

Queen
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - Relatively small (HW ≤ 1.10, AL < 1.90 mm). Generally, like the worker by all main diagnostic features. Typically the scape bend has a small dentiform lobe and petiolar node is not strongly angled (seen in profile); the frons is somewhat relatively wider than that of the workers

Male
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - Head slightly longer than broad, with weakly convex sides and more convex occipital margin, and moderately rounded occipital corners; anterior clypeal margin slightly convex and distinctly notched medially. Antennal scape quite long (SI1 > 0.75, SI2 > 0.80), strongly curved at the base (similar to that of Myrmica lobicornis), antennae 13-segmented, with 5-segmented club; second funicular segment approximately l.3 times longer than third one. Alitrunk relatively long, scutum slightly convex, scutellum does not project dorsally above scutum when seen in profile. Propodeum with blunt, thick subtriangular teeth. Petiole with short peduncle, although distinctly longer than height, its anterior surface straight and node dorsum widely rounded; postpetiole higher than long, with weakly convex dorsum.

Head dorsum densely though not coarsely punctated, central part of clypeus almost smooth, appearing shiny. Frons with longitudinal rugae, temples with fine reticulation. Scutum mostly smooth and shiny, only its central part posteriorly to Mayrian furrows with a few quite coarse longitudinal rugae, scutellum and propodeal dorsum coarsely longitudinally rugose. Sides of alitrunk longitudinally rugulose or rugose. Petiolar node very finely punctated, but appears shiny, postpetiole smooth and shiny.

Head margins and mandibles with numerous, relatively long, slightly curved erect hairs. Alitrunk with somewhat sparser hairs, waist and gaster with abundant standing hairs. Scape with abundant erect to suberect hairs, the longest hairs sub-equal to the maximum scape width. Tibiae and tarsi with relatively short sub decumbent hairs. Body colour dark brown; appendages somewhat lighter.

Etymology
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - combination of Greek (lobos) = lobe [of ear] with diminutive suffix ulus and Latin cornis (adj) F horned or antlered, to describe the relatively small vertical lobe or projection on the bend of the scape.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

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