Myrmecina pierceae

At present, this species is only known from one collection site in the Gaoligong Shan Mountains in Yunnan, China. The type locality is a montane forest on Tiantan Shan Mountain, situated at an elevation of about 2200 m. Five workers of the new species were collected from one leaf litter sample. Unfortunately, there is no additional information about its ecology.

Identification
Myrmecina pierceae differs from other members of Myrmecina by the following combination of characters: propodeal spines triangular, in lateral view shorter than broad at their bases and pointing posteriorly; petiole node in dorsal view subrectangular, 1.5 times longer than wide; face with thin longitudinal rugae curving towards occipital corners; posterior ventrolateral area of head smooth and shiny, with 1 or 2 longitudinal rugae visible in lateral view; gaster smooth and shiny.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China.

Nomenclature

 * . Myrmecina pierceae Liu, 2022: 160, Fig. 5 (w.) CHINA (Yunnan).

Type Material

 * Holotype, pinned worker, China, Yunnan, Gaoligong Shan Mountains, Tiantan Shan, 25.40230N, 98.71899E, 2180 m, mountain forest, leaf litter, 05.VII .2019 (C. Liu & G. Fischer) (ISAS: MCZ-ENT00759962).
 * Paratypes. 3 pinned workers (same data as holotype) (ISAS: MCZ-ENT00759959; CAS: MCZ-ENT00759960; MCZ: MCZ-ENT00759961).