Myrmecina flavipeda Gu & Chen, 2025

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 flavipeda Gu & Chen sp. nov.

Fig. 33

Material examined.

Holotype. • worker, Maoershan , Guangxi, China, 25.9153°N, 110.4661°E, 1550 m, secondary forest, leaf litter, 12. VII. 2020, Chunxuan Luo, GXNU 20002732 [ GXNU] . Paratypes. • 4 workers and 1 queen, with the same collection date as holotype ; • 2 workers, Huangzhushan , Guangdong, China, 24.6990°N, 114.1809°E, 497 m, secondary forest, soil, 25. VII. 2022, Benan Zhang, GXNU 2201299 ; • 5 workers, Maoershan , Guangxi, China, 25.9153°N, 110.4472°E, 1700 m, secondary forest, leaf litter, 12. VIII. 2020, Danni Chen, GXNU 20003038 ; • 3 workers, Tianjingshan , Guangdong, China, 24.6791°N, 112.9868°E, 653 m, secondary forest, soil, 19. VIII. 2023, Yanping Wu, GXNU 2302412 [ 13 workers and 1 queen, GXNU; 1 worker, IZCAS].

Diagnostic features.

(1) Mesosoma with a pair of blunt-tipped dentiform eumetanotal spines; (2) propodeal spines robust, length subequal to its basal width, interspinal distance approximately twice spine length; (3) propodeal spiracle diameter distinctly greater than its distance to propodeal declivity; (4) petiole in dorsal view slightly longer than height, dorsal outline triangular.

Notes.

M. flavipeda Gu & Chen , sp. nov. is most similar to M. flava but can be readily distinguished by the following characters: (1) eumetanotal spines bluntly denticulate in M. flavipeda Gu & Chen , sp. nov. (vs. small right-angled triangular teeth in M. flava ); (2) propodeal spines robust, with length subequal to its basal width in M. flavipeda Gu & Chen , sp. nov. (vs. triangular spines longer than broad in M. flava ); (3) M. flavipeda Gu & Chen , sp. nov. exhibits fine longitudinal striae mixed with puncta on the dorsum of head (vs. 11–13 inconspicuous longitudinal rugae in M. flava ); (4) eyes smaller in M. flavipeda Gu & Chen , sp. nov., composed of 4–6 ommatidia (vs. 10–12 in M. flava ); (5) propodeal spiracle large, its diameter greater than its distance to propodeal declivity in M. flavipeda Gu & Chen , sp. nov. (vs. spiracle small, its diameter only equal to its distance to propodeal declivity in M. flava ); (6) petiole with triangular dorsal outline in M. flavipeda Gu & Chen , sp. nov. (vs. subtriangular in M. flava ).

Worker measurements.

(N = 5). HL 0.57–0.61, HW 0.55–0.60, CI 96–98, SL 0.46–0.50, SI 84–86, ED 0.05–0.06, MSL 0.70–0.74, PW 0.38–0.40, PL 0.17–0.19, PH 0.15–0.16, DPW 0.17–0.18, LPI 84–86, DPI 95–100, GL 1.01–1.13, TL 2.69–2.75.

Worker description.

Head. In full-face view, head rectangular, longer than broad; lateral margins nearly straight, posterior margin broadly and shallowly concave. Mandibles with 7–8 teeth: apical two teeth robust, teeth 3–6 reduced to inconspicuous denticles, with a distinct gap between teeth 2 and 3, sub-basal tooth slightly larger than basal tooth. Clypeus with nearly straight anterior margin, lateral teeth and median clypeal denticle indistinct. Antennal fossa bordered anteriorly by a carinate ridge, continuous with lateral clypeal ridge. Frontal lobes broad and flat, not laterally expanded. Antennae 12 - segmented, scapes when extending posteriorly, their apices just reaching posterior margin of head. Eyes small, composed of 4–6 ommatidia. Mesosoma. In lateral view, dorsal outline evenly convex; eumetanotal spines bluntly denticulate. Propodeal spines robust, length subequal to their basal width; propodeal spiracle large, its diameter distinctly greater than its distance to propodeal declivity. In dorsal view, pronotum convex anteriorly, with distinct humeral corners; lateral margins gradually converging posteriorly. Two transverse carinae present between eumetanotal spines; propodeal spines approximately half as long as inter-spinal distance. Metasoma. In lateral view, petiole slightly longer than its height, dorsal margin triangular, subpetiolar process small tooth, ventral margin concave medially; postpetiole higher than long, with rounded anterodorsal corners; dorsal surface weakly concave; sternite rectangular, anteroventral and posteroventral corners angulate; gaster elongate-ovoid. In dorsal view, petiole and postpetiole rectangular, postpetiole broader than length; gaster ovoid, with straight anterior margin and weakly angular anterolateral corners. Sculpture. Mandibles, clypeus, and median frons smooth and shining; remainder dorsum of head with fine longitudinal striae interspersed with puncta, appearing dull. Lateroventral portion of head with minute puncta (sometimes nearly imperceptible), weakly shining. Pronotal dorsum with short, obliquely ascending striae; sometimes anteroventral area smooth and shining. Mesopleura and lateral propodeum with longitudinal striae. In dorsal view, mesosomal dorsum with 10–15 longitudinal striae. Petiole and postpetiole striate; gaster smooth and shining. Pilosity and pubescence. Subdecumbent hairs present along lateral head margins and antennal scapes. Body densely covered with erect hairs. Pubescence restricted to antennal club. Coloration. Head, mesosomal dorsum, petiole, postpetiole, and gastral tergite I (excluding anterior and posterior margins) reddish-brown to dark brown. Antennal club, legs, lateral mesosoma, lateral gaster, and gastral apex yellow to yellowish-brown.

Etymology.

The specific epithet “ flavipeda ” is a Latin compound adjective meaning “ yellow-footed ” ( flavus, yellow + pes / pedis, foot), referring to the species’ distinctive reddish-brown to yellowish legs, which is one of the key diagnostic traits that contrasts with the predominantly dark appendages of other congeners, and the etymology merely defines a category of characters.

Distribution.

Guangxi, Guangdong.

Figures

Figure 33. Myrmecina flavipeda Gu & Chen, sp. nov. A. Head in full-face view; B. Petiole and postpetiole in dorsal view; C. Body in dorsal view; D. Body in lateral view.