Myrmica rugosa

Myrmica rugosa has been found at altitudes between 1200 and 3400 m in semi-natural habitats, but it also inhabits cultivated areas (Philip Ward, pers. comm.). Males and alate queens were collected from the end of May to the end of June, which is extremely early in the year compared to Euro-Siberian Myrmica species (Radchenko and Elmes, 2010). Nests were found under rotten wood at a forested site and under stones in grassland. Nesting sites had temperature ranging from 15°C to 25°C and humidity between 42% and 70%. The species seems to be well distributed in subalpine zone of Northwest Himalaya (3200m), where it is found to be sympatric with Myrmica smythiesii. The altitudinal range for this species is 1400m to 3500m. (Bharti et al., 2016)

Identification
A member of the rugosa complex of the rugosa species group. We consider that together with three other Himalayan species (Myrmica aimonissabaudiae, Myrmica hecate and Myrmica rupestris) it belongs to the rugosa species group and differs from the first two species by the much less developed reticulation on the head dorsum, and from the last by the absence of coarse short sinuous rugosity on the petiole and postpetiole. (Radchenko and Elmes 2010)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Bhutan, India, Nepal. Palaearctic Region: China.

Biology
The area of Northwest Himalaya (3200m), where this species occurs, is dominated by the Himalayan maple (Acer caesium), west Himalayan fir (Abies pindrow), Himalayan white birch (Betula utilis), and Bell Rhododendron (Rhododendron campanulatum), with Himalayan yew (Taxus wallichiana), Himalayan lilac (Syringa emodi) and Hairy rowan (Sorbus lanata). Some of the common herbs in this area include Jacquemont’s Cobra Lily (Arisaema jacquemontii), Boschniakia himalaica, Kashmir Corydalis (Corydalis cashmeriana), Himalayan Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium caeruleum), Rampant tall weed (Polygonum polystachyum), Gigantic Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens sulcata), Wallich Geranium (Geranium wallichianum), Cleavers (Galium aparine), Himalayan Whorlflower (Moringa longifolia), Showy inula (Inula grandiflora), Yellow Himalayan lily (Nomocharis oxypetala), River Anemone (Anemone rivularis), Lousewort (Pedicularis pectinata), Horned Lousewort (P. bicornuta), Drumstick Primrose (Primula denticulate) and Himalayan Trillium (Trillium govanianum). (Bharti et al., 2016)

Nomenclature

 *  rugosa. Myrmica rugosa Mayr, 1865: 19 (footnote) (w.) HIMALAYA (India?). Radchenko & Elmes, 2002: 41 (q.m.). See also: Bingham, 1903: 268; Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 242.

Type Material
1 worker, “Himalaya”, “M. rugosa sp. n. Mayr” (BMNH); 1 worker, “Myrmica rugosa m. Himal.”; 1 worker, “Himalaya Mayr е. с ej.” (MSNG); 2 workers, “Himalaya”, “Coll. Mayr” (original labels in Russian), “295” (ZMMU).
 * Lectotype (designated by Radchenko & Elmes, 2001): worker, “Himalaya”, “M. rugosa Mayr” (ZMHB).
 * Paralectotypes (designated by Radchenko & Elmes, 2001):

Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - We found 1 worker in Berlin with the labels “Himalaya” and “M. rugosa Mayr”, written by Mayr's own hand. As this specimen fully agrees with Mayr's description, we have designated it as the lectotype. Five more workers, preserved in London, Genoa and Moscow are designated as paralectotypes.

Etymology
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - name derived from the Latin word rugosus = wrinkle or full of wrinkles, to describe its sculpture.