Myrmica tamarae

M. tamarae is probably quite localised in its distribution having being found only on high mountain meadows (2250 and 2800 m) in East Anatolia.

Identification
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - A member of the excelsa complex of the lobicornis species group, and most resembles Myrmica transsibirica differing from it by its somewhat coarser rugosity on the frons, having not more than 10 sinuous rugae between the frontal carinae level with the eyes vs. > 13 in M. transsibirica.

Distribution
Erzurum Province, Turkey (East Anatolia).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Turkey.

Castes
Males have yet to be collected.

Nomenclature

 *  tamarae. Myrmica tamarae Elmes, Radchenko & Aktaç, 2002: 165, figs. 34-43 (w.q.) TURKEY. See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 302.

Worker
Head slightly longer than broad, with convex sides, straight occipital margin, and rounded occipital corners. Anterior clypeal margin prominent, rounded medially. Frontal carinae feebly curved, frons quite wide. Lateral portion of clypeus raised into sharp ridge in front of antennal insertions (like in Tetramorium Mayr - this very uncommon feature for genus Myrmica was previously recorded only from two Far Eastern species). Antennal scape relatively long, sharply curved at its base, upper surface of bend usually angulate, but sometimes only sharply rounded, with no vertical lobe or dent. Mandibles with 7-9 teeth.

Alitrunk with weakly convex promesonotal dorsum; promesonotal suture indistinct from above; metanotal groove very shallow or totally absent. Propodeal spines relatively short, acute, straight, not curving downwards, wide at base, projecting backwards at an angle not less than 45°, divergent (seen from above). In profile, petiole short and high, its anterior surface concave, node with short, very feebly convex dorsum. Postpetiole somewhat higher than long, with convex dorsum. Spurs on middle and hind tibiae well developed and distinctly pectinate.

Head dorsum with quite coarse sculpture; frons between the frontal carinae level with the eyes with not more than 10 sinuouse rugae; rear (upper) half of head dorsum with reticulation; frontal triangle longitudinally rugose; clypeus with coarse longitudinal rugae. Antennal sockets surrounded by distinct rugae. Alitrunk with longitudinal, partly sinuous rugae. Petiolar and postpetiolar nodes with longitudinally-concentric rugae. Surfaces between rugae on the body smooth and shiny.

Hear margins and alitrunk dorsum with abundant, slightly curved, erect to suberect hairs; antennal scape and tibiae with short suberect hairs. The overall colour dark brownish-red, appendages somewhat lighter.

Type Material
Holotype, w, Turkey, Erzurum Region, Palandoken dag, alt. 2250 m, No. 2140, 25.ix.1979, leg. N. Aktac; (Edirne); paratypes: 15 w, 1 q from the nest of holotype; 16 w, the same locality, date and collector, alt. 2800 m, No. 2142 (Edirne, Warsaw, Kiev, Elmes).

Etymology
Dedicated to Tamara Radchenko, wife of Alexander Radchenko.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Borowiec L. 2014. Catalogue of ants of Europe, the Mediterranean Basin and adjacent regions (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Genus (Wroclaw) 25(1-2): 1-340.
 * Radchenko A. G., and G. W. Elmes. 2010. Myrmica ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Old World. Fauna Mundi 3. Warsaw: Natura Optima Dux Foundation, 790 pp.