Myrmica ravasinii

The type specimen was collected from under a stone.

Identification
Myrmica ravasinii is distinctive by its extremely narrow frons and the huge, plate-shaped flange at the scape. It also has a block-shaped petiole in profile with a short peduncle, long spines, big size and strong petiolar rugosity.

Distribution
This taxon was described from Albania (Tomor). It is also found in Georgia, Greece, Turkey and Armenia.

Biology
Myrmica ravasinii is closely related to Myrmica pelops. The geographical range seems to be restricted to the Balkans and Asia Minor between 38. 42N and 20. 43 E. The main habitat is light forest, usually with Pinus, rarely dense pine forest. The elevation of the sites ranged from 800 to 1800 m, with the majority between 1200 and 1800 m. (Seifert 2003b)

Castes
Workers, queens and males are described.