Formica mesasiatica

Monodomous nests as well as polycalic colonies have been found. Nuptial flights are delayed with growing elevation and have been observed between June 29 and July 30. This is the only Coptoformica species known from Middle Asia (Tyanshan and N Pamir).

Identification
Seifert (2000) - F. mesasiatica shows highly significant (p < 0.0001) differences to Formica exsecta in sqrtPDG, sqrtPDH, and nCOXA of queens and workers and in SL/CL of queens. However, it cannot be completely separated from exsecta by discriminant functions even on the basis of nest sample means. Because of the very peculiar zoogeographic situation - the only Coptoformica species known from Middle Asia (Tyanshan and N Pamir) and the population is apparently fully isolated from the Palaearctic range of exsecta - mesasiatica is treated here as species.

Distribution
Seifert (2000) - Limited to the mountain areas of the Tyanshan and N Pamir.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China, Russian Federation.

Habitat
Found on steppe-like or semidry grasslands and woodland clearings between 1300-2700 m (Dlussky 1967; Tarbinsky 1976; Schultz pers. comm.). The highest densities were observed in grasslands with bushes.

Biology
As a member of the subgenus Coptoformica this species is likely to be a temporary parasite of another species of Formica, but its host is.

Nomenclature

 *  mesasiatica. Formica (Coptoformica) mesasiatica Dlussky, 1964: 1030, figs. (w.q.m.) RUSSIA. Junior synonym of fukaii: Sonobe & Dlussky, 1977: 23. Revived status as species: Seifert, 2000a: 532. See also: Tarbinsky, 1976: 179.

Worker
Seifert (2000) - Very large (CL 1468 ± 61, 1359-1582; CW 1414 ± 61, 1321-1535). Head shape as in Formica exsecta (CL/CW 1.038 ± 0.014, 1.002-1.061). Scape long (SL/CL 1.027 ± 0.019, 0.989-1.059). Clypeus also in median and posterior portions with standing setae (ClySet 4.22 ± 0.43,4-5). Lateral semierect setae in the ocellar triangle always present (OceSet 100%). Eye hairs always strongly developed, often hook-shaped (EyeHL 35.7 ± 4.6, 30-47). Pubescence in the occellar triangle always very dense (sqrtPDF 3.99 ± 0.22, 3.58-4.41). Occipital corners in contrast to the exsecta standard with almost appressed pubescence. Craniad profile of forecoxae with few semierect setae (nCOXA 4.58 ± 0.90, 3.0-5.5). Dorsal pronotum and propodeum occasionally, lateral metapleuron and ventrolateral propodeum always with few standing setae (nMET 3.61 ± 1.26, 1.5-6.0). Outer edge of hind tibial flexor side conspicuously hairy (nHTFL 9.50 ± 0.99, 8.0-11.0), with two size classes of setae, and subdecumbent pubescence. Semierect setae on gaster tergites beginning on the first tergite (TERG 1.00 ± 0.0). Pubescence distance on first gaster tergite very low (sqrtPDG 4.43 ± 0.65, 3.72-6.14).

Queen
Seifert (2000) - As large as exsecta (CL 1642 ± 33, 1585-1687; CW 1721 ± 22, 1697-1765; ML 2949 ± 79, 2831-3040). Head broad (CL/CW 0.955 ± 0.023, 0.926-0.985), scape significantly longer than in exsecta (SL/CL 0.994 ± 0.023, 0.957-1.024). Clypeus also in posterior portions with standing setae. Lateral semierect setae in the ocellar triangle usually present. Eye hairs always long and numerous, often hook-shaped (EyeHL 49.2 ± 6.2, 40-55). Pubescence in the occellar triangle always very dense (sqrtPDF 3.56 ± 0.20, 3.33-3.85). Occipital corners of head with decumbent or subdecumbent hairs (OccHD 38.5 ± 9.3, 31-59); queens with appressed hairs are reported to occur (Dlussky 1967). Brilliance of dorsal head surface low, weakly sculptured surfaces dominate (GLANZ 1.41 ± 0.38, 1.0-2.0). Craniad profile of forecoxae with semierect setae (nCOXA 8.06 ± 1.52, 6.0-11.0). Promesonotum always with standing setae that clearly differ from semierect pubescence (MnHL 195.3 ± 29.2, 152-233). Outer edge of the hind tibial flexor side conspicuously hairy (nHTFL 9.43 ± 2.87, 6.0-15.0), with two size classes of setae and subdecumbent pubescence. Semierect setae on gaster tergites always beginning on the first tergite (TERG 1.00 ± 0.00). Pubescence distance on first gaster tergite constantly very low (sqrtPDG 3.56 ± 0.20, 3.33-3.85).

Type Material
Talasskiy Alatau and Zailiyskiy Alatau, Tyanshan. Paratype.