Key to Myrmica of China

This worker key is based on: [[Media:Chen, Z., Zhou, S., Huang, J. 2016. Seven species new to science and one newly recorded species of the ant genus Myrmica.pdf|Chen, Z.L., Zhou, S.Y., Huang, J.H. 2016. Seven species new to science and one newly recorded species of the ant genus Myrmica Latreille, 1804 from China, with proposal of a new synonym (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). ZooKeys 551: 85–128 (doi: 10.3897/zookeys.551.6005).]]

The key is modified from Radchenko and Elmes (2010). Any doubtful species are excluded here; Myrmica mixta is also excluded from the key because the worker caste is not well-known.

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 * Ants of China
 * Myrmica

1

 * Lateral portion of clypeus raised into a sharp ridge in front of the antennal insertions, so that the antennal sockets are distinctly separated from the clypeal surface (similar to that of Tetramorium) . . . . . 2


 * Lateral portion of clypeus not raised into a sharp ridge in front of the antennal insertions, so that the antennal sockets lay on the same level with the clypeal surface . . . . . 3

2
return to couplet #1
 * Antennal scape at the bend having the same width as at its mid−length; the base of the scape having a longitudinal groove and lateral ridges . . . . . Myrmica excelsa


 * Antennal scape at the bend distinctly narrower than at its mid−length; the base of the scape without longitudinal groove and lateral ridges . . . . . Myrmica transsibirica

3
return to couplet #1
 * Frontal carinae curved outward to merge with the rugae that surround the antennal socket. Antennal scape very smoothly curved at the base, not angled and without any trace of lobe or carina . . . . . 4


 * Frontal carinae merging with the rugae that extend to the posterior margin, not curved outward to merge with the rugae that surround the antennal socket. Antennal scape strongly curved or gradually curved at the base, with or without a lobe, ridge or carina . . . . . 18

4
return to couplet #3
 * First gastral tergite finely but distinctly longitudinally striated. Spurs on tibiae of the middle and the hind legs reduced, simple . . . . . Myrmica luteola


 * First gastral tergite smooth and shiny. Spurs on tibiae of the middle and the hind legs well-developed and pectinate . . . . . 5

5
return to couplet #4
 * Mesonotal dorsum partly with transverse rugae . . . . . 6


 * Mesonotal dorsum with various sculpture, but never with transverse rugae . . . . . 11

6
return to couplet #5
 * Lateral margins of head either without pilosity or with short (≤0.03mm) decumbent hairs; if any long erect to suberect hairs present, then restricted to the posterior margin and genae . . . . . 7


 * Lateral and posterior margins of head with numerous long (≥0.07mm) erect to suberect hairs . . . . . 9

7
return to couplet #6
 * Propodeal spines long, ESLI > 0.45, sides of pronotum with longitudinal rugae . . . . . Myrmica taibaiensis


 * Propodeal spines shorter, ESLI < 0.41, sides of pronotum finely and densely punctate . . . . . 8

8
return to couplet #7
 * Basal third of the first gastral tergite with superficial hexagonal fine sculpture. Posterior margin without any erect to suberect long hairs; dorsum of petiolar node with a distinct broad dorsal plate . . . . . Myrmica huaii


 * First gastral tergite smooth and shiny; posterior margin with abundant short erect to suberect long hairs; dorsum of node quite narrowly rounded . . . . . Myrmica schulzi

9
return to couplet #6
 * Head distinctly elongate, CI >1.20, suboval, with barely marked posterior corners . . . . . Myrmica heterorhytida


 * Head slightly longer than broad, CI <1.15, nearly square, with distinctly marked posterior corners . . . . . 10

10
return to couplet #9
 * Anterior surface of the petiole almost straight, dorsum of node broadly rounded. Mesonotal and propodeal dorsum with finer transverse rugae, number of rugae on this area >25, number of rugae between frontal carinae level the eyes>30. Gaster with very fine superficial microsculpture . . . . . Myrmica pleiorhytida


 * Anterior surface of the petiole concave, dorsum of node with a distinct dorsal plate, slightly convex, posterior surface steep. Only mesonotal dorsum with fine transverse rugae, number of rugae on this area < 20, number of rugae between frontal carinae level the eyes ≤ 20. Gaster smooth and shiny . . . . . Myrmica dongi

11
return to couplet #5
 * One of the largest known Myrmica species, HW >1.60, AL >2.50. Very hairy, number of standing hairs on petiolar node > 20 . . . . . Myrmica mirabilis


 * Smaller species, HW < 1.25, AL < 2.30 mm. Less hairy, number of standing hairs on petiolar node < 15 . . . . . 12

12
return to couplet #11
 * Masticatory margin of the mandible with 11−13 teeth . . . . . Myrmica curiosa


 * Masticatory margin of the mandible with ≤ 9 teeth . . . . . 13