Myrmecina graminicola ( Latreille, 1802 )

Gu, Zhuojian, Zhang, Chen, Du, Congcong & Chen, Zhilin, 2025, Synopsis of the ant genus Myrmecina Curtis, 1829 from China (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae), with description of eleven new species, Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 72 (2), pp. 395-448 : 395-448

Myrmecina graminicola ( Latreille, 1802)

Fig. 36

Formica graminicola Latreille, 1802: 255 (w. q. m.) DENMARK.

Myrmecina latreillii Curtis, 1829: 265 (m.) GREAT BRITAIN. Curtis 1854: 219 (q.). Junior synonym of graminicola: Mayr 1855: 421.

Myrmica striatula Nylander, 1849: 40 (w.) RUSSIA. Subspecies of graminicola: Emery 1898: 131. Junior synonym of graminicola: Mayr 1855: 421.

Myrmica bidens Foerster, 1850: 50 (w. q.) GERMANY. Schenck 1852: 95 (m.). Junior synonym of graminicola: Mayr 1855: 421.

Myrmecina kutteri Forel, 1914: 1 (w.) ITALY. Subspecies of graminicola: Emery 1916: 171. Junior synonym of graminicola: Brown 1951: 106.

Myrmecina graminicola var. grouvellei Bondroit, 1918: 116, fig. 58 (w.) FRANCE. Junior synonym of graminicola: Müller 1923: 81.

Myrmecina graminicola subsp. gotlandica Karavaiev, 1930: 146 (w.) SWEDEN. Junior synonym of graminicola: Rigato 1999: 86.

Myrmecina graminicola subsp. oelandica Karavaiev, 1930: 146 (w. q.) SWEDEN. Junior synonym of graminicola: Rigato 1999: 86.

Myrmecina graminicola var. dentata Santschi, 1939: 77 (w.) TUNISIA. Junior synonym of graminicola: Rigato 1999: 86.

Material examined.

High-resolution images of the syntype of M. graminicola dentata ( https://www.antweb.org, CASENT 0913028 , photographed by Will Ericson), of the holotype of M. graminicola gotlandica ( https://www.antweb.org/, CASENT 0917028 , photographed by Kate Martynova), of the syntype of M. graminicola oelandica ( https://www.antweb.org/, CASENT 0917029 , photographed by Kate Martynova) were reviewed. Non-type. • 3 workers, Dadongshan , Guangdong, China, 24.9249°N, 112.7228°E, 653 m, 26. VIII. 2023, Xiaoyun Liang, GXNU 2302646 .

Diagnostic features.

(1) Antennal scape base dorsoventrally flattened (appearing equally wide at basal bend and apex in dorsal view, unlike the cylindrical, gradually thickening scape of related species); (2) body sculpture coarse, with pronounced rugae on head and mesosoma; (3) body color dark brown to black, typically with reddish-brown highlights on clypeus, mesosoma sides, pedicel, and gastral segments II – IV, and bright ferruginous appendages; (4) anteropropodeal processes developed into a sharp tooth in profile; and (5) longer, more erect pilosity compared to M. melonii (though some Greek specimens exhibit intermediate states).

Distribution.

Guangxi, Guangdong, Zhejiang; UK, DENMARK, Germany, RUSSIA.

Notes.

Unfortunately, to date, we have not been able to examine the type specimens or high-resolution images of the type of M. graminicola , and have only reviewed photographs of three type subspecies of workers: the specimen of M. graminicola dentata ( https://www.antweb.org, CASENT 0913028 , photographed by Will Ericson), the holotype of M. graminicola gotlandica ( https://www.antweb.org/, CASENT 0917028 , photographed by Kate Martynova), and M. graminicola oelandica ( https://www.antweb.org/, CASENT 0917029 , photographed by Kate Martynova). All three subspecies have been synonymized under M. graminicola by Rigato (1999), and the high-resolution images of these specimens reveal no meaningful morphological differences, confirming they represent the same species. The morphology of specimens from our collection fully matches these specimens in morphological features, and if their original descriptions were scientifically valid — meaning they are indeed synonyms of M. graminicola — then the presence of M. graminicola (Latreille) ( Guangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan, Zhejiang), and subspecies M. graminicola sinensis Wheeler ( Guangxi, Liaoning, Zhejiang) in China is also confirmed ( Guénard and Dunn 2012). We hope future comprehensive revisions of this genus by other myrmecologists will provide a more rigorous taxonomic diagnosis for M. graminicola .

Figures

Figure 36. Myrmecina graminicola dentata, syntype worker (https://www.antweb.org, CASENT 0913028, photographed by Alexandra Westrich). A. Head in full-face view; B. Label of syntype; C. Body in dorsal view; D. Body in lateral view.