Myrmica polyglypta

Collected from subalpine meadows at altitudes 4000-4700 m Together with Myrmica kozlovi, M. polyglypta seem to be one of the most high altitude tolerant of the Myrmica species.

Identification
M. polyglypta belongs to the pachei species group (see also Radchenko and Elmes 2009a). We placed it to this group because of the transverse rugosity on the alitrunk dorsum (combined with a coarsely reticulate pronotum and longitudinally rugose propodeal dorsum); other important characters are the hairless lateral margins of the head above eyes (only genae and occipital margin with sparse, quite long suberect to subdecumbent hairs) and reticulation on the head dorsum posterior to the eyes, combined with longitudinal rugosity on the rest of the head dorsum. (Radchenko and Elmes 2010)

Distribution
Known only from Yunan Province of China.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  polyglypta. Myrmica polyglypta Radchenko & Rigato, in Radchenko, Zhou, et al. 2008: 781, figs. 44-48 (w.) CHINA. See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 220.

Type Material
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - Holotype, w, “China, Yunnan, Habashan Mts., 4000-4700 m, 27°19'W, 100006'E, 8-9.vi,2002, leg. S. Becvar and R. + H. Fougue” (Milan); paratypes: 13 W with the same labels as holotype (Milan, Kiev)

Etymology
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - from a combination of the Greek words poly = many, and glyptos = carved, to describe the variable sculpture on the alitrunk.