Formica manchu

Several samples collected by A. Gebauer in a bushy steppe habitat in the Southern Koko Nur Mountains (NE Tibet) in 1990/96 came from polydomous colonies.

Identification
Seifert (2000) - E Palaearctic distribution between 96°E (Kansk) and 130°E (Yakutsk) and 36°N (N Tibet) to 62°N (Yakutsk).

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

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

 *  manchu. Formica (Coptoformica) exsecta subsp. manchu Wheeler, W.M. 1929f: 10 (w.) CHINA. Raised to species and senior synonym of dlusskyi: Seifert, 2000a: 534.
 * longiceps. Formica (Coptoformica) longiceps Dlussky, 1964: 1036 (w.q.) MONGOLIA. [Junior primary homonym of longiceps Smith, F. 1863: 13, above.] Replacement name: dlusskyi Bolton, 1995b: 194. See also: Dlussky, 1965a: 19; Kupyanskaya, 1990: 202.
 * dlusskyi. Formica dlusskyi Bolton, 1995b: 194. Replacement name for longiceps Dlussky, 1964: 1036. [Junior primary homonym of longiceps Smith, F. 1863: 13.] Junior synonym of manchu: Seifert, 2000a: 534.

Worker
Head more narrowed behind than in the typical Formica exsecta, so that the distance between the posterior corners is decidedly shorter than the width of the head at its anterior corners. The occipital excision is therefore narrower though quite as deep as in the type. Clypeus more flattened, not carinate posteriorly. Maxillary palpi as long as in the type. Epinotum with more rounded and convex base, which is as long as the declivity and passing into it without a distinct angle. Petiolar scale much narrower above than in the typical exsecta, its sides nearly parallel, the excision of the superior border quite as sharp and deep, semicircular.

Body, especially the gaster, more opaque than in typical exsecta. Pilosity even less developed on the gaster. Color darker, the head black, except the cheeks, sides, gula and mandibles which are brownish red. The thorax, coxae and petiole are also brownish red, but the spot on the pronotum is black and more extensive than in typical exsecta. Gaster black; antennae and legs dark brown or in some specimens reddish brown.

Seifert (2000) - Medium-sized species (CL 1375 ± 76, 1193-1542; CW 1282 ± 71, 1128-1458). Head significantly longer than in other species (CL/CW 1.067 ± 0.016, 1.036-1.103). Scape rather long (SL/CL 1.013 ± 0.018, 0.966-1.048). Setae only present on anterior clypeus (ClySet 1.67 ± 0.56, 1-3). Lateral semierect setae in the ocellar triangle rarely present (OceSet 12%). Eye hairs strongly developed (EyeHL 27.9 ± 6.8, 12-29). Pubescence disctance in the occellar triangle large (sqrtPDF 5.95 ± 0.50, 4.95-6.92). Craniad profile of forecoxae without or very few subdecumbent setae (nCOXA 1.30 ± 0.91, 0-3.5). Dorsal mesosoma, lateral metapleuron and ventrolateral propodeum only exceptionally with single standing setae (nMET 0.04 ± 0.26, 0-1.5). Outer edge of the hind tibial flexor side with subdecumbent setae (nHTFL 4.78 ± 1.90, 1.0-9.0). Semierect setae on gaster tergites beginning at the posterior border of second to third tergite (TERG 2.91 ± 0.29, 2-3), anterior part of sculptured surface of third tergite always with setae. Pubescence distance on first gaster tergite very large (sqrtPDG 7.57 ± 0.59, 6.46-8.84).

Queen
Seifert (2000) - (Not seen, description according to Agosti 1989): “[...] Clypeus only at the anterior margin with a number of standing setae that have the same length as pubescence hairs. Eyes with standing setae. Head, mesosoma, petiole, and gaster without standing setae [few small setae are most probably present at the hind margin of third or fourth gaster tergite, B. S.], instead a homogeneous, long, subdecumbent pubescence is present. Hind tibiae with long, subdecumbent pubescence. Head surface shagreened with homogeneously scattered, fine, smooth, and shining punctures [...]”. Some morphometric data can be predicted from the average correlations between queen and worker data observed in Coptoformica and from transformation of some data of Agosti: ML 2315, CL/CW 1.030, SL/CL 0.960, EyeHL 46, nCOXA 1, TERG 3.5, nHTFL 5.5, sqrtPDF 5.3, sqrt PDG 7.5.

Type Material
Described from several specimens taken by Messrs. P. H. and S. H. Dorsett at Boketu, Manchuria.

Seifert (2000) - Manchuria: Boketu (= Buchatu = P’o-k’o-t’u; 48°45’N, 121°58’E). Syntypes 9 workers [investigated].