Myrmecina aspera

Identification
Okido, Ogata, and Hosoishi (2020) - Myrmecina aspera is similar to Myrmecina elegans in body size and the smooth and shining first gastral tergum with a concave anterior margin. Comparing the two species, M. aspera is distinguished by having a broad and triangular propodeal spine, a sculptured dorsum of the pronotum, and an eye of 15 or more ommatidia.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Malaysia.

Nomenclature

 * . Myrmecina aspera Okido, Ogata & Hosoishsi, 2020: 19, fig. 5 (w.) MALAYSIA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 3.14, HL 0.80, HW 0.77, CI 96, SL 0.77, SI 100, PW 0.54, ML 0.85. Paratype. TL 3.06, HL 0.79, HW 0.75, CI 95, SL 0.72, SI 96, PW 0.51, ML 0.82 (1 measured).

Head subrectangular, longer than broad in full-face view; median portion of occipital margin distinctly concave; occipital corners rounded, not projected posteriorly. Masticatory margin of mandible straight; apical tooth strong, third tooth robust, followed by unclear 4 small teeth and a blunt basal tooth. Dorsal surface of clypeus not concave; median portion of anterior margin projected, with or without three processes; lateral portion simple, lacking sharp ridge in front of antennal insertions. Anterior dorsal surface of labrum with paired denticles varies in size and shape, sometimes fused with each other at base. Frontal carinae virtually absent, indistinguishable from rugae on dorsum of head. Eyes large and convex with maximum diameter 0.14 mm, with 7 ommatidia in the longest row; malar space slightly longer than diameter of eye in profile; distance between occipital margin and posterior margin of eye three times as long as diameter of eye or shorter. Antennal scape long, extending beyond posterolateral corner of head; antennal flange fully developed.

Dorsal outline of mesosoma slightly convex in profile. Pronotum with denticles on dorsolateral portion, but small; anterior portion marginate; anterior ventrolateral portion projected directing downward. Furrow between pronotum and mesoepisternal projection narrow. Eumetanotal spine present but small. Propodeal spine broad and triangular, 1.5 times as long as broad at base or shorter, just reaching vertical posterior most limit of propodeum in profile. Propodeal lobe low. Propodeal spiracle small, situated near the base of propodeal spine, distance between posterior margin of spiracle and posterior margin of propodeum longer than diameter of spiracle. Petiole short, slightly longer than high in profile, and longer than broad in dorsal view; dorsal crest located at midlength in profile; subpetiolar process absent. Postpetiole as broad as petiole, and expanded posteriorly in dorsal view; dorsal outline flattened; ventral outline slightly projected rectangularly in profile.

Anterior margin of gaster concave in dorsal view; first gastral sternum simple without median longitudinal ridge.

Head with deep wavy rugae; ventrolateral portion with transverse, or vertical rugae posteriorly. Clypeus smooth and shining. Mesosoma with deep wavy rugae. Forecoxa almost smooth and shining. Petiole and postpetiole with a few rugae. First gastral segment smooth and shining. Head with relatively sparse and long pilosity on dorsum. Mesosoma with sparse and long pilosity on dorsum, hairs of pronotum much longer than propodeal spine. Dorsal pilosity of petiole as long as that of mesosoma. Petiole without hairs on ventral surface. Postpetiole with 4 hairs on ventral surface. Head and mesosoma black, petiole, postpetiole and gaster reddish brown, mandibles, antennae and legs yellowish brown to light reddish brown.

Type Material
Holotype worker, MALAYSIA: Genting Highlands, 28. ix. 73 (B. Bolton) (BMNH). Paratype. 1 worker with same data as holotype.