Myrmica gigantea

This species is known from only two workers and one queen.

Identification
A member of the ritae complex of the ritae species group that most resembles Myrmica urbanii by the sculpture of head dorsum but well differs from the latter by its great size, shorter scape, petiole and propodeal spines. (Radchenko & Elmes, 2010)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Myanmar.

Biology
Unknown.

Castes
Workers and queens are described, males are unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  gigantea. Aphaenogaster (Nystalomyrma) gigantea Collingwood, 1962: 225, fig. 7 (w.q.) MYANMAR. Combination in Myrmica: Radchenko & Elmes, 1998: 13. See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 143.

Type Material
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - Holotype, w, “NE Burma, Kombaiti, 15.iv.1934, leg. R. Malaise” (STOCKHOLM); paratype, 1 q with same collection data as the holotype (STOCKHOLM);

Etymology
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - from the Latin word gigas = giant, to indicate its exceptionally large size compared with similar Aphaenogaster species.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Radchenko A. G., and G. W. Elmes. 1998. Taxonomic revision of the ritae species-group of the genus Myrmica (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Vestnik Zoologii 32(4): 3-27.
 * 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.