Myrmica mixta

Described from a single queen. Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - M. mixta has an unusual combination of morphological features that seems to be intermediate between the ritae and inezae species groups. Its fairly coarse body sculpture, very long propodeal spines and fig-shaped postpetiole might lead one to place it in the ritae-group. Yet it differs from that group by its relatively short scape, not-pointed-apically propodeal lobes, not-well-marked upper lateroventral corners of head and short and rounded petiolar node. M. mixta is most similar to the Himalayan species Myrmica rigatoi, but differs from it mainly by its wider frons, shorter scape and differently shaped propodeal spines and petiole. We provisionally place M. mixta in the inezae-group although a final decision will depend upon the discovery of its workers and males.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality in Sichuan Province of China.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China.

Castes
Known only from the queen caste.

Nomenclature

 *  mixta. Myrmica mixta Radchenko & Elmes, in Radchenko, Zhou, et al. 2008: 770, figs. 11-15 (q.) CHINA. See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 202.

Etymology
From the Latin mixtus = mixed, that refers to the unusual combination of features of this species.