Myrmica tschekanovskii

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
M. tschekanovskii is characterized by the 12-segmented antennae of its males. Based on this feature, Radchenko (1994a) placed it to the arnoldii species group (= former subgenus Dodecamyrmica). However, M. tschekanovskii males have a relatively long scape (SI1 > 0.70), while males of Myrmica arnoldii have short scape (SI 1 < 0.40) and under our more recent approach to the species group concept in genus Myrmica, species with such large differences in the male morphology probably do not belong to the same group. Thus the taxonomic position of M. tscheknovskii is somewhat uncertain, perhaps, it should typify its own separate species group. (Radchenko and Elmes 2010)

Distribution
East Siberia

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Russian Federation.

Castes
Queens have not been collected.

Nomenclature

 *  tschekanovskii. Myrmica tschekanovskii Radchenko, 1994h: 215, figs. 33-39 (w.m.) RUSSIA. See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 310.

Worker
Paratype, worker: AL 1.47 HL 1.05; HW 0.92; SL 0.84; FW 0.38; FLW 0.43 mm (Figs 37-39).

Head elongate (CI 1.14) with parallel sides; occipital border slightly concave. Median portion of clypeus slightly convex anteriorly. Frontal carinae feebly curved, frons wide (FI 1.15, FLI 2.44). Frontal carinae merged with rugae reaching occipital border; antennal sockets surrounded by arched rugae. Antennal scapes relatively long, weakly curved basally but angulate, with short subdecumbent hairs. Entire dorsum of head finely rugulose to reticulate-rugulose on temples.

Alitrunk with mesopropodeal impression, propodeal spines acute, thin, slightly extended at base. Petiole with well developed cylindrical part, its node triangular in profile. Subpetiolar process feebly developed. Ali trunk sparsely longitudinally rugulose. Alitrunk, petiole and postpetiole with dense standing hairs. Colour of alitrunk ochraceous, head and gaster darker.

Male
Holotype: AL 1.89; HL 1.03; HW 1.03; SL 0.73 mm (Figs 33-36).

Head subsquare (CI 1.0), with rounded occipital comers, broad and straight occipital border. Median portion of clypeus not prominent anteriorly, its anterior margin straight. Antenna} scapes relatively long (SI 1.40), weakly curved basally, not angulate, with short numerous standing hairs. Antennae with 12 segments. Entire dorsum of head finely longitudinally rugulose and punctate between rugae. Sides of alitrunk with touch-like rugulosity. Node of petiole high, rounded above. Petiole and postpetiole densely punctate and with short touch-like rugulosity. Mesonotum and pedicel with numerous standing hairs; hind tibiae and tarsi with short subdecumbent hairs.

Colour reddish-brown (apparently the specimens studied have lost their colour they are more than 100 years old).

Type Material
Holotype male: Eastern Siberia, river Nizhniaya Thnguska near river Enisei, 64°40'N, 5 VIII 1873 (Tschekanovsky). Paratype worker: the same locality and date (ZM).

Etymology
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - this species was named for the collector, the Russian (originally Polish) geographer and naturalist Dr. Alexander Lavrentievich Czekanowski (alternative spelling Tschekanovski) (1833-1876).