Myrmica slovaca

M. slovaca is a rather thermophilous species that builds its nests directly into the soil. In central Europe it is frequently found in dry meadows but in the eastern part of its range, M. slovaca mainly inhabits intrazonal, relatively wet and often salted habitats in the steppe zone. Thus it could be a relict steppe species in central Europe. (Radchenko and Elmes 2010)

Identification
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - A member of the specioides complex of the scabrinodis species group. It is easily distinguished from any other species from this group by its very narrow frons (worker PI ::; 0.30). However, the males have short standing hairs on the legs and scape and are hard to distinguish from males of Myrmica specioides and some other species.

Distribution
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia, Belarus, Ukraine, southern part of European part of Russia (to the north up to Nizhniy Novgorod; see Zrianin and Zrianina, 2007), south of West Siberia, Kazakhstan, Altai Mts.; Spain

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine.

Nomenclature

 *  slovaca. Myrmica (Myrmica) slovaca Sadil, 1952: 259, figs. VI, 8-14; VIII, 35, 36; IX, 35; X, 10, XI, 13 (w.q.m.) CZECHIA, SLOVAKIA, UKRAINE, BULGARIA. Junior synonym of salina: Seifert, 1988b: 25. Revived from synonymy: Radchenko, 1994e: 80. Junior synonym of salina: Seifert, 1994: 13; Seifert, 2002a: 96. Revived from synonymy: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 272. See also: Kutter, 1977c: 71; Arnol'di & Dlussky, 1978: 534; Radchenko & Elmes, 2004: 228.

Taxonomic Notes
The status of this taxon is currently uncertain. Recent authors have treated it as a distinct species, a synonym of Myrmica salina or a synonym of Myrmica curvithorax. Until a consensus can be reached it is being treated here as a valid species. B. Bolton (in his New General Catalogue) provides the following references:


 * Status as species: Arnol'di, 1970b: 1837 (in key); Kutter, 1977c: 71; Arnol'di & Dlussky, 1978: 534 (in key); Agosti & Collingwood, 1987b: 268 (in key); Radchenko, 1994c: 144 (in key); Radchenko, 1994e: 80; Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 280; Czechowski, et al. 2012: 98; Czekes, et al. 2012: 43 (in key).
 * Junior synonym of salina: Seifert, 1988b: 25; Seifert, 1994: 13; Seifert, 2002a: 96; Radchenko & Elmes, 2004: 228.
 * Junior synonym of curvithorax: Seifert, 2011: 170 (in text).

Etymology
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - named to indicate that this species was found in the central European Republic of Slovakia.