Myrmica schulzi

Four workers were found on mountain meadows at the altitudes between 2300 and 2600 m.

Identification
A member of the pachei group which is now known to comprise a considerable number of rather similar species in China that are mainly distinguished by variations in body sculpture. This species is characterized by the following combination of features: lateral margins of head posterior to the eyes with abundant short decumbent hairs; the frontal carinae curving outwards to merge with the rugae that surround the antennal sockets; the frons with quite dense, fine, slightly sinuous longitudinal rugosity, numbering ca. 20 between the frontal carinae level with the eyes, occiput and temples with fine reticulation, surface between the rugae densely punctated, appears dull; the pronotal dorsum with irregular sinuous rugulosity and reticulation, while the mesonotal and propodeal dorsum with not coarse transversal sinuous rugosity, numbering> 25. (Radchenko and Elmes 2010)

Distribution
Shaanxi Province, China.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  schulzi. Myrmica schulzi Radchenko & Elmes, 2009a: 72, figs. 16-20 (w.) CHINA. See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 273.

Worker
Radchenko and Elmes (2009) - Head distinctly longer than broad, with somewhat convex sides and occipital margin, and rounded occipital corners; anterior clypeal margin rounded, not prominent and not-notched medially. Upper latero-ventral corners of head rounded, not pointed (seen in profile). Mandibles with 7-8 teeth. Prontal carinae curved outwards to merge with rugae that surround antennal sockets. Frons wide, frontal lobes not extended. Scape relatively long, subequal to head width, gradually but distinctly curved at the base, without any trace of lobe or carina. Alitrunk robust, promesonotum slightly convex (seen in profile), promesonotum suture indistinct (seen from above). Metanotal groove distinct, deep. Propodeal lobes rounded apically. Propodeal spines quite long, straight, sharp, directed backward at an angle of about 30°. Petiole with relatively short but distinct peduncle, its anterior surface concave dorsum of node quite narrowly rounded. Postpetiole subglobuar, its anterior and dorsal surfaces forming regular arch. Spurs on muddle and hind tibiae well developed and pectinate.

Frons with quite dense, fine, slightly sinuous longitudinal rugosity (numbering ca. 20 between frontal carinae level with the eyes), occiput and temples with fine reticulation, surface between rugae densely punctated, appearing dull; clypeus with longitudinal rugae, its surface shiny; frontal triangle smooth and shiny; mandibles longitudinally rugose.

Pronotal dorsum with irregular sinuous rugulosity and reticulation, its sides; punctato-striated. Mesonotal and propodeal dorsum with > 25 moderately thin (not coarse) transverse sinuous rugae. Lower parts of rugosity. Surface between rugae on alitrunk smooth and shiny, only sides of pronotum finely punctated. Petiole and postpetiole densely, though not coarsely, punctated, appearing dull. Gaster smooth and shiny.

Head margins above the eyes with short subdecumbent hairs, only occiput with a few additional long hairs, genae with a few long hairs; alitrunk dorsum with longer hairs: petiole with 6-8 long hairs. Scape with suberect hairs, tibiae with subdecumbent ones. Body colour dark reddish-brown, appendages somewhat lighter.

Type Material
Holotype, w, China, Shaanxi Prov., Qin Ling Shan, Mt. W Pass, 47 km S Xian, Autorote km 70, 108°47'E, 33°51'N, 2300-2600 m, No. 963, 26-29.viii.1995, leg. Wrase ; paratypes: 3 w with the same label as the holotype (IZK,, Schulz).

Etymology
Dedicated to the German myrmecologist Andreas Schulz, who generously provided us with this and other material for our study.