Myrmica pisarskii

Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - M. pisarskii is one of the most xerophilous Myrmica species. In Russia, it inhabits steppes and dry meadows, occasionally it can be found in dry and sparse pine forests. It builds nests in soil, often under stones. Michal Woyciechowski took several series from the Altai Mountains, Russia where the nests were found in slightly more humid conditions in moss near a river (though such habitats can become very hot and dry in summer). Woyciechowski also took a number of nest samples from northern Mongolia, all were found living in the soil in meadow dry steppe (1000-1200 m). Here soils were shallow and rocky, trees were absent and the ground flora contained a variety of herbs (see Muehlenberg et. al. 2000). Sexuals are present in nests in July-August, suggesting that nuptial flights occur from late July to early September.

Identification
A member of the lobicornis complex of the lobicornis species group.

Radchenko (1994) - Lobes at base of antennal scapes from large to small, dentiform; dorsal area of petiolar node from short, sloping, fluently merged with posterior face to long and nearly horizontal; mesopropodeal impression sometimes almost absent.

Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - Very similar to Myrmica kasczenkoi by the body sculpture, by shape of alitrunk and petiole, but well differs from it by the presence of a vertical lobe at the scape base.

Distribution
South Siberia from SE Altai to Transbaikalia, Mongolia.

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

Nomenclature

 *  pisarskii. Myrmica pisarskii Radchenko, 1994h: 208, figs. 1-12 (w.q.m.) RUSSIA, MONGOLIA. See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 216.

Worker
Holotype, worker: AL 1.50; HL 1.02; HW 0.90; SL 0. 77; FW 0.34; FLW 0.45 mm.

Paratypes, workers: AL 1.36-1.57; HL 0.85-1.06; HW 0.76-0.97; SL 0.69--0.84; FW 0.32-0.36; FLW 0.42-0.50 mm.

Head somewhat elongate (CI 1.10-1.16), with convex sides, feebly rounded occipital corners and straight occipital border. Median portion of clypeus slightly prominent anteriorly. Frontal carinae moderately curved, frons relatively narrow (FI 1.28-1.40; FLI 2.48- 2.75). Antennal scapes relatively short (SI 1.24-1.35), abruptly curved basally, possessing small transversal lobe or teeth. Antennal sockets surrounded by arched rugae. Frons coarsely longitudinally rugulose, lateral parts of dorsum of head with wavy rugae and loop-like sculpture.

Alitrunk in side view low, with faint mesopropodeal impression, which is frequently lacking. Propodeal spines thin, acute at apex, slightly extended at base, feebly curved downwards and out backwards. Petiolar node low, massive, its anterior face slightly concave and meeting with dorsal face under feebly rounded angle; dorsal area indistinct, fluently merged with posterior face. Postpetiole higher than petiole. Alitrunk and pedicel coarsely rugulose.

Body with dense long standing hairs. Alitrunk, pedicel and antennal scapes reddish-brown, head and gaster dark brown.

Queen
Paratypes: AL 1.76-1.92; HL 1.06-1.16; HW 0.98-1.08; SL 0.83-0.87 mm.

Head somewhat elongate (CI 1.08-1.10), with slightly convex sides and rounded occipital corners; anterior clypeal border straight. Frontal carinae more feebly curved than in workers, frons broader (FI 1.23-1.25; FLI 2.46-2.48); antennal sockets surrounded by arched rugae. Shape of antenna} scapes as in workers, SI 1.29-1.33. Frons and vertex coarsely longitudinally rugulose, lateral parts of dorsum of head and occiput with wavy rugae.

Propodeal spines straight, acute, feebly extended at base. Anterior face of petiolar node slightly concave, dorsal area distinct, slightly sloping; postpetiole higher than petiole.

Sides of alitrunk, scutum and scutellum coarsely longitudinally rugulose. Body with numerous standing hairs. Colour reddish-brown, appendages lighter.

Male
Paratypes, males: AL 1.54-1.85; HL 0.81-0.94; HW 0.70-0.90; SL 0.64-0.69 mm.

Head somewhat elongate (CI 1.05-1.08) with convex occipital border and widely rounded occipital corners. Antenna} scapes long (SI 1.22-1.36), abruptly curved basally with distinct small angles. Frons finely longitudinally rugulose, other parts of dorsum of head densely punctate. Head with numerous standing hairs; antennal scapes with short hairs, their length no more than half the maximum thickness of scapes.

Mesopleurae finely densely rugulose, sides of propodeum with more coarse rugulosity; prothorax densely punctate. Scutum finely longitudinally rugulose and punctate, scutellum with more coarse transversal arched rugae. Propodeum with short rounded teeth. Mesonotum, pedicel and gaster with numerous standing hairs; hind tibiae with long subdecumbent or suberect (not standing!) hairs. Colour brown, appendages lighter, wings yellowish.

Type Material
Hoiotype worker: Transbaikaliens, Chitinskaya obi., Daursky Natural Reserve, Ireigin, steppe, nest under a stone, No. 51-90, 7 VII 1990 (A. Radchenko) .Paratypes: 10 workers from the same nest; 2 workers, the same locality, No. 51-90, 7 VII 1990 (A. Radchenko); Chitinskaya obl.: 5 workers, Borzia, No. 3-90, 28 Vl1990 (A. Radchenko); 9 workers, left bank of river Onon, near village of N. Tsassuchei, No. 75-90, 12 VII 1990 (A. Radchenko); workers, Borzinsky distr., Mt. Adon-Cholon, 1000 m, No. 92-90, 17 VII 1990 (A. Radchenko); 4 workers, village ofN. Tsassuchei, No. 1-90, 28 VI 1990 (A. Radchenko); 2 workers, the same locality, pine forest, 12 VII 1990 (A. Radchenko); 7 workers, Ononsky distr., Mt. Kuku-Chodan, No. 113-90, 19 VII 1990 (A. Radchenko); 15 workers, 6 males, SE Altai, Kuraiskaya kotlovina, steppe, Nos. 552, 580, 609, 612, 614, 638, 1 Vl-8 VIII 1964 (Z. Zhigulskaya); Mongolia: 2 workers, 1 female, 4 males, Central Aimak, Kerulen, 45 km E ofSamon Bajanderler, 1400 m, exped. KAsZAB, No. 304, 26 VII 1965; 3 workers, 3 males, Uburcharipai Zuil, Od Bijar, 7-8 VIII 1985; 1 worker, Tevtrulech, 17 VII 1979; 1 worker, Kiransky Karaul, 4 VIII 1908 (CHOMOs); 4 workers, Ara-Changajsky Aimak, lake Uchish-Noor (A. Ponomarenko); Thva: 2 workers, Kiachta, No. 1135, 2 VIII 1962 (Z. Zhigulskaya); 2 workers, the same locality, No. 1175,6 VIII 1962 (Z. Zhigulskaya); 9 workers, near Kysyl, No. 18, 13 Vl1961 (Z. Zhigulskaya); 3 workers, Ubsu-Noorskaya kotlovina, lake Dus-Hol, No. 297,25 VII 1962 (Z. Zhisulskaya); 10 workers, 2 females, the same locality, 10 km N oflake Ters-Hol, No. 160, 7 VI 1962 (Z. Zhigulskaya); 10 workers, same locality, 3 km S of village Torgalyk No. 220, 25 VI 1962 (Z. Zhigulskaya); 2 males, the same locality, Shevelych-Hem, No. 316, 1 VII 1962 (Z. Zhigulskaya); 9 workers, left bank of river Enisei, No. 389, 6 IX 1962 (Z. Zhigulskaya); 2 workers, 2 males, Mt. Tannu-Ola, village of Samagaltai, dry steppe, 7 VIII 1978 (J. Reznikova); Transbaikaliens: 1 worker (Th. Lukyanovitsch); 1 worker, Troitskosavsk, 11 VII 1928 (Th. Lukyanovitsch); 1 worker, Enchor, 20 VII 1928 (Th. Lukyanovitsch); 1 worker, Minusinsk, 10 VI 1936 (Th. Lukyanovitsch); 2 workers, Chita, 15 Vl1912 (Gytelman) (IZ,, ).

Etymology
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - this species was dedicated to the memory of the well known Polish myrmecologist Prof. Bogdan Pisarski (1928-1992), one time Director of the Museum of Institute of Zoology Polish Ac. Sci., Warsaw.