Myrmica pelops

Seifert (2003) noted that all samples of M. pelops were found in very light, devastated coniferous forests, so, this species seems to be rather xerophilous.

Identification
Seifert (2003) - Myrmica pelops differs from Myrmica ravasinii in particular by a much wider frons (FR/CS ranges 0.207-0.237 in 17 pelops workers but 0.119-0.158 in 18 ravasinii workers) and the much smaller diameter of the circular dorsal plane at scape base which is extraordinary huge in ravasinii. The scape shows in frontal and caudal view a strong excavation below the flange which is still more pronounced in frontolateral view. Myrmica schencki and Myrmica caucasicola, in contrast show no trace of such an excavation. Further differences to the latter species are the high (PEH/PEL 0.741), block-shaped, and much stronger rugose petiole with a short anterior peduncle. The longitudinal rugae on mesosoma are much coarser with a height of 30-40 /-lm (in schencki and caucasicola 15-20 mm).

Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - M. pelops belong to the schencki species group. Seifert stated that it relates to Myrmica ravasinii, based on its quite large size, a somewhat similar scape structure and the shape and sculpture of its petiole. However, M. pelops clearly differs from the latter by a much wider frons (mean FI > 0.22 vs. < 0.20), and by a clearly much smaller lobe at the scape bend. On the other hand, the FI of M. pelops is similar to that of Myrmica schencki, but it well differs from this species by a distinctly different shaped scape lobe, by coarser rugae on the body, and by a shorter and stouter petiole with a short anterior peduncle.

Key to Myrmica of West Europe and North Africa

Distribution
Known only from the type localities from Greece (Peloponnesus Peninsula).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Greece.

Castes
Queens and males are unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  pelops. Myrmica pelops Seifert, 2003b: 148, figs. 9, 12, 14, 15 (w.) GREECE. See also: Radchenko, Elmes & Alicata, 2006: 527; See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 213.

Worker
Head shorter than broad, CL/CW 0.987. Clypeus strongly longitudinally rugose-carinate. Frontal triangle longitudinally carinulate. Frons narrow, FR/CS 0.218. Frontal carinae strongly diverging into frontal lobes, which are more prominent in posterior view than in schencki. Longitudinal rugae on dorsum of head (vertex) strong and weakly wrinkled; on posterior vertex they are connected by few anastomosae, giving a semi-reticulate macrosculpture, the interspaces of macrorugae with a reflecting surface but with very fine micro reticulum. Scape rather long, in principal architecture derived from the ravasinii type, but with a much smaller basal flange. The very regular, semicircular flange seen when dorsally viewing on the scape base of schencki is not found in pelops. Instead, there emerges a smaller flange as continuation of a longitudinal, frontodorsal carina, curves round the dorsal scape angle, and slopes down to the posterior scape base. Mesosoma with rather long and acute spines; in lateral view their axis deviates by 33-40° from longitudinal mesosomal axis. Mesopropodeal depression varying from deep to shallow. Sculpture on mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole strong. The strongest rugae on pronotum are 30-40 mm high, in the majority of specimens weakly wrinkled, and only rarely with anastomosae. Lateral metapleuropropodeal lobe at least as high as the concavity below the spines. Petiole strongly rugulose-carinulate, block-shaped, with a short anterior peduncle.

Type Material
7 samples from the Peloponissos peninsula in Greece:

Holotype and 2 paratypes, labelled “Greece, Peloponessos Taigetos Mts. \ Laganda Pass (20 km E Kalamata) 1.6.1994 1100-1400 m Schulz lgt.”, SMN Goerlitz; 9 paratypes, labelled “GREECE - Peloponnisos 1347 Taigetos Oros, Laganda Pass, 20 km E. Kalamata, 1100-1400 mH, leg. Schulz Vock 01.6.1994”, SMN Goerlitz; 5 paratypes, labelled “GREECE - Peloponnisos 1420 Killini, Nordseite, 42 km W Korinthos, 1200-1400 mH, leg. Schulz Vock 05.6.1994”, SMN Goerlitz. Further worker paratypes with the following labelling are in the private collection of Andreas Schulz: “GREECE - Peloponnisos 1394 Chelmos, 30 km SSE Egion, 1800-2200 mH, leg. Schulz Vock 04.6.1994”, “GREECE – Peloponnisos 1368 Taigetos Oros, unterhalb des Prifitis IIias, 1800-2000 m, leg. Schul:v Vock 02.06.1994”, and “GREECE - Peloponnisos 1404 Killini, Nordseite, 45 km W Korinthos, 1600-1800 m, leg. Schulz Vock 05.6.1994”.

Etymology
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - named for Pelops, the mythical Greek hero who gave his name to the region of Greece where the type series was found (the Peloponnesus Peninsula).