Myrmica varisculpta

Nothing is known about the biology of Myrmica varisculpta (Bharti et al., 2016).

Identification
M. varisculpta was described from a unique holotype worker, it belongs to the pachei group. Recently this group was considerably enlarged with the discovery of a number of new species from China (Radchenko and Elmes 2009a). It is the third such species discovered on the Indian side of the Himalaya and the mixture of sculpture on its alitrunk dorsum clearly separates it from the others, Myrmica pachei and Myrmica villosa, which have only transverse striations. It is most similar to the Chinese species Myrmica phalacra and Myrmica hlavaci but has a distinctly longer head than these two. (Radchenko and Elmes 2010)

Distribution
Known only from the type locality Kashmir, India.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  varisculpta. Myrmica varisculpta Radchenko & Rigato, in Radchenko & Elmes, 2009a: 76, figs. 31-35 (w.) INDIA. See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 317.

Etymology
From the Latin words varius = different and sculptus = sculptured, that describes the various combinations of sculpture of the alitrunk.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bharti H., Y. P. Sharma, M. Bharti, and M. Pfeiffer. 2013. Ant species richness, endemicity and functional groups, along an elevational gradient in the Himalayas. Asian Myrmecology 5: 79-101.
 * Radchenko A. G., and G. W. Elmes. 2010. Myrmica ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Old World. Fauna Mundi 3. Warsaw: Natura Optima Dux Foundation, 790 pp.
 * Radchenko A. G.; and G. W. Elmes. 2009. Taxonomic revision of the pachei species-group of the genus Myrmica Latreille (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Annales Zoologici (Warsaw) 59: 67-92.