Myrmecina hamula

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Zhou et al. (2008) - Closely related to Myrmecina graminicola, but it can be distinguished from the latter by the small hooks at the apices of propodeal spines, more feeble rugae on the head, and more strong rugae on the dorsum of the alitrunk.

Distribution
Guangxi Pr., Shannxi Pr., China.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  hamula. Myrmecina hamula Zhou, Huang & Ma, 2008: 288, figs. 4-6 (w.) CHINA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 3.50, HL 0.78, HW 0.74, CI 94, SL 0.63, SI 85, PW 0.52, AL 0.89, EL 0.09, PL 0.26, PH 0.22, PNW 0.20, PPL 0.22, PPH 0.20, PPW 0.24. Paratype. TL 3.40, HL 0.77, HW 0.70, C I 91, SL 0.60, SI 86, EL0.08, AL0.86, AW 0.49, PNW0.21, PL 0.2 1, PH 0.19, PPW 0.24, PPL 0.20, PPH 0.18.

Head square, with parallel sides and concave posterior margin. Mandible triangular, masticatory margin armed ·with two sharp apical teeth and a series of small blunt denticles. Clypeus with a distinct medial tooth and a angulate projection on either sides. Antennae 12-segmented, scape cylindrical at basal bend, reaching occipital border. Eyes moderately large, situated laterally before the longitudinal middle of the head, 0.11 mm in maximum diameter, consisting of about ten ommatidia. Alitrunk convex in profile view, tapering posteriorly, pronotum marginated, anteroventral corner of lateral pronotal lobe blunt. Anterolateral process of propodeal dorsum distinct and triangular; propodeal spines long, apex strongly recurved outwards, forming a distinct small hook, declivity concave. Petiole cylindrical, longer than broad, with truncate and concave anterior surface, without distinct anterior peduncle; dorsal node with a distinct cross ridge. Subpetiolar process blunt, postpetiole subsquare but not transversely broad, nearly as long as broad. Gaster broadly oval.

Mandibles and clypeus smooth and shining. Antennal scape longitudinally rugose. Head densely punctate, with feeble granulate rugae diverging posteriorly. Alitrunk more strongly longitudinally rugose than in M. graminicola and the dorsal rugae divergent anteriorly. Petiole and postpetiole coarsely and longitudinally rugose. Gaster smooth and shining. Body covered with sparse recumbents and subrecumbents hairs, flagellum with dense pubescence. Body black brown; mandibles, clypeus, gena, propodeal declivity, legs and gaster behind the first segment yellowish brown.

Type Material
Holotype worker. Long Hu, Nonggang National Nature Reserve (22°11' N, 106°59' E), Longzhou County, Guangxi Province, P. R. China, May 23, 1998, Coli. by John R. Fellowes.

Paratype 1 worker, Foping National Nature Reserve (33°32' N, 107°40' E), Shaanxi Province, P. R. China, August 6, 2006, Coli. by Libin Ma.

The holotype is deposited in the Insect Collection, College of Life Science, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China. The paratype is deposited in the Institute of Zoology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China.

Etymology
The species is named from the Latin word “Hamulus”, referring to its small hooks at the apex of propodeal spines.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Guénard B., and R. R. Dunn. 2012. A checklist of the ants of China. Zootaxa 3558: 1-77.
 * Zhou S., J. Huang, and L. Ma. 2008. Two new species of the ant genus Myrmecina (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), with a key to Chinese species. Sociobiology 52(2): 283-291.
 * Zhou Shanyi, Jianhua Huang, and Libin Ma. 2008. Two new species of the ant genus Myrmecina (Hymenoptera; Formicidae), with a key to chinense species. Sociobiology 52(2): 283-291.