Myrmica alperti

Nothing is known of its ecology except that it is found at elevations between 2000 and 3000 meters. Known only from the Thodung region of Nepal.

Identification
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - A member of the ritae complex of the ritae species group. It closely resembles Myrmica indica, but differs by its more stocky body and shorter appendages, by the longer propodeal spines, by the shape of petiole, and especially by its bluntly rounded propodeal lobes.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Nepal.

Castes
Queens and males are unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  alperti. Myrmica alperti Elmes & Radchenko, 2009: 117, fig. 7 (w.) NEPAL. See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 86.

Worker
Head longer than broad, with convex sides, nearly straight occipital margin and rounded occipital corners, its upper latero-ventral corners pointed; anterior clypeal margin feebly convex, notched medially. Mandibles with 8–9 teeth. Frontal carinae usually curved outwards to merge with the rugae, which surround antennal sockets (but this character is somewhat variable between specimens). Frons wide, frontal lobes not extended, somewhat raised vertically (i. e. perpendicular to the head surface). Scape of moderate length, equal or only slightly longer than head length, gradually and weakly curved at the base.

Alitrunk relatively short (here and below — compare to correspondent features of related species, discussed in this paper), with feebly convex promesonotal dorsum (seen in profile), promesonotal suture indistinct (seen from above); metanotal groove distinct, but not very deep; metapleural lobes do not projecting apically, rounded or at most slightly angulated, do not form sharp teeth. Propodeal spines relatively short, widened at the base, straight or slightly curved down and pointed.

Petiole relatively short and wide, its anterior surface strongly concave, node dorsum feebly convex; postpetiole fig-shaped (seen from above), somewhat shorter than high.

Frons with coarse longitudinal sinuous rugae, at least six between frontal carinae level with the eyes, posterior and lateral parts of head dorsum with coarse reticulation. Clypeus with coarse longitudinal rugae, mandibles rugulose. Alitrunk dorsum with coarse reticulation, sides of alitrunk with coarse sinuous longitudinal rugae. Petiole with coarse, short, sinuous longitudinal rugae and reticulation, postpetiole with less coarse longitudinal, slightly sinuous rugosity. Surface on body between rugae smooth and shiny.

Occipital margin with not abundant, quite long suberect hairs, sides of head above eyes without or at most with 1–2 such hairs; alitrunk and waist with sparse long hairs. Scape and tibiae with subdecumbent hairs.

Body reddish-brown to dark brown, appendages somewhat lighter, but not contrasting with the colour of body.

Type Material
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - Holotype, w, Nepal, 3200 m, Thodung, 2-9.iv.1973 (leg. J. Martens), Coniferenwald, "M. indica Weber det Radchenko and Elmes", [6] (BASLE); paratypes: 14 w with the same labels; 9 w, Nepal, Jiri-Thodung, 2S.v.1976 (leg. W. Wittmer and C. Baroni Urbani), "M. indica Weber det Radchenko and Elmes"; 1 w, Nepal, Shiralaybis, Jiri-grat, 2200 m, S.vi.1973 (leg. J. Martens), "M. indica Weber det Radchenko and Elmes" (BASLE, KIEV, ELMES).

Etymology
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - this species was dedicated to our friend and colleague, the American Dr. Gary Alpert of Harvard University, USA, who gave us Myrmica samples that he collected in Nepal and elsewhere.