Myrmica inucta

Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - When we described this species we speculated that M. inucta might be a relict species of the salted steppes that at one time were quite common in northwest Kazakhstan. The type specimens were found in a salted depression on tall-grass halophytous meadow-steppe, in a nature reserve famous for its salted marshes. Such depressions become very salted with salt deposited on the soil surface, due to evaporation after being filled with water. The margins of these salted ponds or lakes form distinct habitats for many species of plants and animals, including some Myrmica species (e.g., Myrmica bergi).

Identification
M. inucta belongs to the schencki species group and well differ from other species of this group by its strongly reduced body sculpture and entirely black body. Generally, reduced sculpture of the body is very rare in the genus Myrmica: prior to the discovery of this species, M. nitida from the Himalaya was the only Old World species known to have a reduced sculpture. (Radchenko and Elmes 2010)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Kazakhstan.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  inucta. M yrmica inucta Radchenko & Elmes, in Radchenko, Elmes & Alicata, 2006: 511, figs. 43-50 (w.) KAZAKHSTAN. See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 154.

Type Material
Holotype. [Kazakhstan, Naurzumsky Nature Reserve, No 625, leg. T. Bragina] (KIEV); paratypes: 3 workers from the nest of the holotype (KIEV, ELMES).

Etymology
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - from the Latin word inuctus = oily sheen, to indicate the black, shiny appearance of the body surface.