Myrmica schoedli

M. schoedli was found in well-developed secondary forest at altitudes between 1850 and 2200 m and the nest was found under vegetation on a rock, by the side of a stream.

Identification
M. schoedli belongs to the draco-complex of the ritae species group that includes also Myrmica draco and Myrmica yamanei, from which M. schoedli well differs by its much longer scape (SI1 > 1.23 vs. < 1.18, SI2 > 1.45 vs. < 1.40). Additionally, the head dorsum of M. yamanei has coarse reticulation (vs. longitudinal rugosity in M. schoedli), and the surface of the propodeum is punctated, not smooth. M. draco has a distinctly shorter, not sub-oval head (SI1 < 1.10 vs. > 1.15), the less developed reticulation on the mesonotal dorsum, a deeper metanotal groove and shorter petiole. (Radchenko and Elmes 2010)

Distribution
North Vietnam.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Vietnam.

Nomenclature

 *  schoedli. Myrmica schoedli Radchenko, Elmes & Bui, 2006: 36, figs. 1  10 (w.q.) VIETNAM. Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 272 (m.). See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 272.

Male
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - Head slightly longer than broad, with convex sides and occipital margin, and gradually rounded occipital corners; anterior clypeal margin very slightly convex and very shallowly notched medially. Central part of clypeus raised, forming trapezoid lobe-like process when seen in profile. Frontal carinae very feebly curved. Antennal scape short, somewhat shorter than 1st to 3rd basal funicular segments together; antennal club 5-segmented, but not well marked. Masticatory margin of mandibles distinct, with 5 sharp teeth.

Alitrunk relatively long, low and narrow, scutum convex, and scutellum does not project dorsally above scutum when seen in profile. Propodeum with blunt triangular denticles. Propodeallobes not prominent, but angled at the apex. Petiole long and low, with distinct peduncle, with feebly convex and gradually rounded node dorsum; postpetiole also quite long and low, seen from above fig-shaped.

Cell 1 +2r of forewing, in contrast to that of known males of the ritae-group species, is not wide, length / width ratio> 1.65 (see also Radchenko and Elmes 1998; Radchenko et al. 2001).

Frons with fine striae, surface of head not coarsely but densely punctated, clypeus with fine superficial microreticulation; whole surface appears shiny. Scutum behind Mayrian furrows with a few longitudinal rugae, scutellum (except its centnil part) with longitudinally-concentric rugulosity, propodeum with not coarse longitudinal rugosity, mesopleura distally with fine rugulosity; surface of alitrunk smooth and appears shiny. Petiole and postpetiole at most partly finely superficially punctate, mainly smooth and shiny. Gaster smooth and shiny.

Head margins with not abundant but long standing hairs. Alitrunk, petiole, postpetiole and gaster with similar, while somewhat shorter hairs. Legs and scape with short subdecumbent to decumbent hairs. Whole body reddish-brown, head somewhat darker, appendages reddish-yellow.

Etymology
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - this species was dedicated to the memory of the Austrian entomologist and myrmecologist, Prof. Stefan Schoedl (1957-2005) of the natural History Museum, Vienna.