Myrmecina dolichothrix

Identification
Okido, Ogata, and Hosoishi (2020) - Myrmecina dolichothrix does not belong to any species complex. But in terms of the body size, head shape, body sclupture, and the shape of the propodeal spine, M. dolichothrix is similar to Myrmecina gopa. The similarity of those species does not always reflect the relationships, because the characters mentioned above tend to change independently. Among those species, M. dolichothrix can be distinguished from the remains by having the long pilosity and the anterior clypeal margin without processes.

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

Nomenclature

 * . Myrmecina dolichothrix Okido, Ogata & Hosoishsi, 2020: 36, fig. 14 (w.) PHILIPPINES.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.74, HL 0.62, HW 0.61, CI 97, SL 0.58, SI 95, PW 0.44, ML 0.72. Paratype. TL 2.60-2.75, HL 0.58-0.63, HW 0.58-0.61, CI 96-101, SL 0.54-0.61, SI 93-100, PW 0.42-0.45, ML 0.69-0.72 (5 measured).

Head subrectangular, slightly longer than broad in full-face view; median portion of occipital margin slightly concave; occipital corners rounded, not projected posteriorly. Masticatory margin of mandible bent at midlength (third small tooth or sixth tooth); apical tooth strong, third tooth robust, followed by 4 small teeth and a small basal tooth; small teeth frequently unclear. Dorsal surface of clypeus not concave; median portion of anterior margin projected and flattened without a median process; lateral portion simple, lacking sharp ridge in front of antennal insertions. Anterior dorsal surface of labrum with paired denticles very small but distinct. Frontal carinae virtually absent, indistinguishable from rugae on dorsum of head. Eyes large and convex, varying in size with maximum diameter 0.10-0.11 mm and 6-7 ommatidia; malar space much twice as long as diameter of eye or shorter 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 developed.

Dorsal outline of mesosoma convex in profile. Pronotum without denticles; anterior portion marginate; anterior ventrolateral portion angulate. Mesoepisternal projection not developed; furrow between pronotum and mesoepisternal projection relatively broad. Eumetanotal spine absent. Propodeal spine elongate, 1.5 times as long as broad at base, extending over vertical posteriormost limit of propodeum in profile. Propodeal lobe usually low, but sometimes raised. Propodeal spiracle large, situated near posterior margin of propodeum, distance between posterior margin of spiracle and posterior margin of propodeum shorter than diameter of spiracle. Petiole long, slightly longer than high in profile, and longer than broad in dorsal view; very small dorsal crest located at midlength in profile; subpetiolar process absent, but median longitudinal ridge at ventral portion present. Postpetiole slightly broader than petiole in dorsal view; lateral margin straight; dorsal outline flattened in profile; ventral outline projected rectangularly.

Anterior margin of gaster not concave in dorsal view; first gastral sternum simple without median longitudinal ridge.

Head with straight rugae; ventrolateral portion smooth and shining. Clypeus smooth and shining. Mesosoma with oblique rugae on dorsum. Forecoxa smooth and shining. Petiole and postpetiole with a few distinct rugae. First gastral segment smooth and shining. Head with sparse and long pilosity on dorsum. Mesosoma with sparse and long pilosity on dorsum, hairs of pronotum slightly longer than propodeal spine. Dorsal pilosity of petiole as long as that of mesosoma. Petiole without hairs on ventral surface. Postpetiole usually without hairs on ventral surface. Body black or dark reddish brown, mandibles, antennae and legs yellowish brown to reddish brown.

Type Material
Holotype worker, PHILIPPINES: Surigao del N, SW Bacuag, Payapag, Little Baguio Waterfall, 6. ii. 2000 (S. Schödl). Paratypes. 5 workers with same data as holotype.