Myrmica yunnanensis

The two type workers were found on mountain meadow at 3300 m.

Identification
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - A member of the pachei species group. It is characterized by the following combination of the main diagnostic features, which distinguish it from the other species of this group: pronotum with dense though not coarse reticulation; mesonotal and propodeal dorsum with quite dense though not coarse, transversal sinuous rugae numbering > 25; the head margins with numerous long erect to suberect hairs; the head distinctly elongate (CI > 1.20), suboval, with barely marked occipital corners; the frontal carinae do not curve outwards and do not merge with the rugae that surround antennal sockets; surface of head dorsum between rugae appears shiny, only with very fine superficial micropunctures.

Distribution
Known only from the type locality in the Yunnan Province, China.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  yunnanensis. Myrmica yunnanensis Radchenko & Elmes, 2009a: 82, figs. 56-60 (w.) CHINA. See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 329.

Worker
Head suboval, distinctly longer than broad, with weakly convcx sides and occipital margin, and very widely rounded, barely marked occipital corners; anterior clypeal margin narrowly rounded and prominent, not-notched medially. Upper latero-ventral corners of head rounded, not pointed (seen in profile). Mandibles with 7 teeth. Frontal carinae feebly curved, merging with rugae that extend over the posterior third of head dorsum. Frons wide, frontal lobes not extended. Scape of moderate length, subequal to head width, gradually though distinctly curved at the base, without any trace of lobe or carina.

Alitrunk long and low, promesonotum convex (seen in profile), promesonotal suture indistinct (seen from above). Metanotal groove distinct, though not very deep. Propodeal lobes rounded apically. Propodeal spines quite short, straight, thin and sharp, directed backward at an angle of about 45°. Petiole with distinct, not long peduncle, its anterior surface strongly concave and petiolar node with narrowly rounded dorsum. Postpetiole subglobular, its anterior and dorsal surfaces forming a regular arch. Spurs on middle and hind tibiae well developed and pectinate.

Frons with numerous, fine, slightly sinuous longitudinal rugae, their number > 20 between frontal carinae level with the eyes; remainder of head dorsum with longitudinal, sometimes irregular rugae, only occiput reticulate. Clypeus with fine longitudinal rugae, frontal triangle smooth. Surface between rugae appearing shiny, at most bearing a fine superficial microsculpture. Mandibles longitudinally rugulose.

Pronotum with dense, though not coarse, reticulation; mesonotal and propodeal dorsum with > 25 quite dense, though not coarse, transverse sinuous rugae; mesopleura and sides of propodeum with longitudinal rugosity. Surface between rugae on alitrunk appearing shiny, at most some areas have a very fine superficial microsculpture. Petiole and postpetiole with weak, short rugulae, and densely though finely punctated, appearing more or less dull. Gaster smooth and shiny.

Head margins with not very abundant suberect hairs; alitrunk dorsum with longer hairs; petiole with 8 long and several shorter hairs. Scape and tibiae with quite short subdecumbent hairs. Head and alitrunk reddish, dorsum of petiolar node, postpetiole and gaster reddish-brown.

Type Material
Holotype, w, China, N YunnanProv., Zhongdian, 3300 m, 6-8.vii.2002, leg. S. Murzin and I. Shokhin (Petersburg); paratype: 1 w with the same label as holotype (Kiev).

Etymology
The species is named after the Yunnan Province of China, where it was found.