Myrmica sinensis

Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - A member of the ritae-complex of the ritae species group. By its head dorsum, that is very coarsely rugose with the frons having only four coarse longitudinal rugae between frontal carinae level with the eyes, it resembles Myrmica margaritae, Myrmica pulchella and Myrmica emeryi. It well differs from M. margaritae by the presence of long standing hairs on the alitrunk dorsum and occipital margin. The much more developed reticulation on its head dorsum, where the rear half is coarsely reticulated and only the frons has longitudinal rugae, well distinguishes it from M. emeryi and M. pulchella.

Distribution
Guangxi Province, China.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  sinensis. Myrmica sinensis Radchenko, Zhou & Elmes, 2001: 212, figs. 1-5 (w.) CHINA. See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 278.

Worker
Head slightly longer than broad, with convex sides and occipital margin, and broadly rounded occipital corners; its upper latero-ventral corners pointed. Anterior clypeal margin shallowly but distinctly notched medially. Frontal carinae feebly curved, frons wide. Antennal sockets not surrounded by rugae. Antennal scape very long, longer than head, gradually and weakly curved at its base. Mandibles with 9-10 teeth.

Alitrunk long and low, with weakly convex promesonotal dorsum; promesonotal suture indistinct from above; metanotal groove distinct and deep. Metapleural lobes project apically and forming sharp tooth. Propodeal spines very long, acute, more or less straight. Projecting bachwards at an angle of 45° or less, usually not curving downwards (in specimen from Da Yao Shan they curved slightly downwards), and distinctly divergent (from above). Petiole long, low and narrow; its node long, slightly longer than peduncle, with a very feebly convex dorsum. Postpetiole somewhat longer than height, with more or less straight anterior surface and broadly rounded node dorsum. fig-shape from above. Spurs on middle and hind tibiae \Yell developed and distinctly pectinate.

Whole body with extremely coarse sculpture. Frons between frontal carinae level with the eyes with only four sinuous rugae. Upper (rear) third of head dorsum with coarse reticulation and sinuous rugae. Clypeus with coarse longitudinal rugae, mandibles coarsely striato-rugulose while frontal triangle smooth and shiny. Alitrunk dorsum. petiole and postpetiole very coarsely reticulate; sides of alitrunk with sinuous rugae and much less developed reticulation than on alitrunk dorsum. Surface of body between rugae not punctured, smooth and shiny. Gaster smooth and shiny.

Head margins with abundant long outstanding hairs; alitrunk with similar hairs, which extremely long on promesonotal dorsum. Antennal scape and tibiae with numerous and relatively long subdecumbent hairs. Colour of alitrunk and head dark reddish-brown, gaster brownish-yellow, antennae reddish, legs reddish-yellow.

Type Material
Holotype worker, S. China, NE Guangxi Province, Hua Ping, 1460 m, 17.viii.l998 (leg. J. Fellowes) ; paratypes; 3 workers from the same nest; 1 worker. S. China. Guangxi Province, Daw Ling, 26.iv.1997, DWL-62 (leg. J. Fellowes); 1 worker. S. China. Guangxi Province, Da Yao Shan. 1290 m, 1 fi.ix.1998. DYS-39 (leg. J. Fellowes).

Etymology
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - from a combination of the classical Latin name Sinae = China (hence sinica) and the adjectival suffix ensis = place of origin or habitat, to indicate this is a Chinese species.