Myrmica saposhnikovi

As emphasised by Kuznetsov-Ugamsky (1927), M. saposhnikovi (together with M. dshungarica) is one of the main elements of the ant fauna in the fir forests of the Central Tien-Shan. It was found in fir forests and subalpine meadows at altitudes between 1000 and 2900 m and also somewhat surprisingly (see the biology section below) " in steppe-like habitats at altitudes less than 600 m.

Identification
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - A member of the lobicornis complex of the lobicornis species group and well differs from the sympatric Myrmica kirghisorum by the very small vertical dent or even ridge at the base of the scape, by the less extended frontal lobes and by its subtriangular petiole without a declined dorsal plate (seen in profile).

Key to Myrmica of the Middle Asian Mountains

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation.

Biology
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - M. saposhnikovi has a strange dichotomy in its habitat preferences. On the one hand, it inhabits both fir forests and subalpine meadows (relatively cool habitats) at altitudes over 1000 m; Kuznetsov-Ugamsky (1927: 193-194) noted that “This form together with M. rugosa dshungarica is one of the main elements of the myrmecofauna of the belt of fir forests in the Central Tien-Shan” (our translation from Russian). On the other hand, it lives also in much hotter and drier steppe-like habitats at lower altitudes, as was stated by Ruzsky (1904b). We think it possible that Ruzsky (1904b) included two morphologically similar species in the type series of M. saposhnikovi: one from the mountain forests (Dzhungarian Alatau; the lectotype specimen belongs to this series) and one from the steppes near Dhzarkent. As the Dhzarkent “type” material appears to be lost, it is open to question whether “M. saposhnikovi” is one species with some sort of variable ecology, or whether it contains two hardly distinguishable sibling species, each adapted to different habitats. Unless the Dhzarkent material is found, this question can be resolved only by a combination of ecological and perhaps molecular genetical studies of the different populations in the Middle Asian mountains.

Nomenclature

 *  saposhnikovi. Myrmica lobicornis r. saposhnikovi Ruzsky, 1904b: 3 (w.) KAZAKHSTAN. Kuznetsov-Ugamsky, 1927e: 194 (q.m.). Subspecies of scabrinodis: Ruzsky, 1905b: 701; Emery, 1908a: 180. Raised to species: Pisarski, 1969b: 296; Arnol'di, 1976a: 553; Tarbinsky, 1976: 35. Senior synonym of bergiana, intermedia: Radchenko, 1994g: 85. See also: Radchenko & Elmes, 2010: 256.
 * intermedia. Myrmica scabrinodis subsp. intermedia Kuznetsov-Ugamsky, 1927e: 194 (w.) KAZAKHSTAN. [Unresolved junior secondary homonym of †intermedia Wheeler, above.] Junior synonym of saposhnikovi: Radchenko, 1994g: 85.
 * bergiana. Myrmica saposhnikovi subsp. bergiana Tarbinsky, 1976: 38, figs. 37-39 (w.) KYRGYZSTAN. Junior synonym of saposhnikovi: Radchenko, 1994g: 85.

Description
Radchenko and Elmes (2010) - named for the well-known Russian geographer and botanist, Professor Vasily Vasilievich Saposhnikov (1861-1924) of Tomsk University.