Myrmecina globicephala 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 globicephala Gu & Chen sp. nov.

Fig. 35

Material examined.

Holotype. • worker, Jiuwanshan , Guangxi, China, 25.2021°N, 108.6817°E, 1206 m, secondary forest, leaf litter, 22. VII. 2023, Zhuojian Gu, GXNU 2300350 [ GXNU] .

Diagnostic features.

(1) Head outline rounded in full-face view (unique among Chinese congeners); (2) ventrolateral portion of head smooth and shining; (3) propodeal dorsum without eumetanotal spines; (4) the lateral and dorsal surfaces of mesosoma with irregular, coarse rugoreticulae.

Notes.

Comparing to other Myrmecina species, M. globicephala Gu & Chen , sp. nov. head shape similar to M. breviata and M. dolichothrix from Philippine. Head with broad, shallow longitudinal rugae and sparse piligerous puncta in M. globicephala Gu & Chen , sp. nov. (vs. head without striae in M. breviata ); Mesosomal dorsum with waved rugae in M. globicephala Gu & Chen , sp. nov. (vs. with transverse striae in M. dolichothrix ).

Worker measurements.

(N = 1). HL 0.75, HW 0.82, CI 109, SL 0.65, SI 80, ED 0.11, MSL 0.89, PW 0.50, PL 0.21, PH 0.14, DPW 0.20, LPI 66, DPI 97, GL 0.83, TL 3.29.

Worker description.

Head. In full-face view, head subcircular, broader than long, with evenly convex lateral and posterior margins, posterior corners broadly rounded. Mandibles with 7 teeth: apical tooth broad, teeth 2–5 subequal in size, sub-basal tooth stout and blunt, basal tooth inconspicuous. Clypeus projecting anteriorly, anterior margin arcuately emarginate, with stout lateral teeth and a single small median denticle. Frontal lobes broad and flat, not expanded laterally, diverging posteriorly. Antennae 12 - segmented, scapes long, extending beyond posterior margin of head. Eyes relatively well-developed, composed of 20–22 ommatidia. Mesosoma. In lateral view, dorsal outline evenly arched; eumetanotal spines absent. Propodeal spines robust and elongate, approximately 1.2 times longer than their basal width, weakly upturned apically. Propodeal spiracle small, slit-shaped, positioned far from propodeal declivity (distance to declivity> 8 times spiracle diameter). In dorsal view, pronotum convex anteriorly, with prominent humeral corners; lateral margins gradually converging posteriorly. Propodeal spines stout and straight, directed posteriorly and slightly laterally; propodeal spines length half of the distance between their apices; the distance of inter-spinal slightly wider than petiole. Metasoma. In lateral view, petiole higher than long, with a prominent median denticulate projection dorsally; ventral margin flat. Postpetiole dorsally convex, lacking anterodorsal corner; ventral margin shallowly concave anteriorly. In dorsal view, postpetiole approximately 1.2 times wider than long, anterolateral corners broadly rounded (not angular); gaster lacking humeral corners. Sculpture. Head with broad, shallow longitudinal rugae and sparse piligerous puncta, shining; ventrolateral portion of head smooth and shining. Antennal scapes smooth and shining, except for piligerous puncta. Mesosoma with coarse rugoreticulate sculpture dorsally and laterally. Petiole laterally carinate, dorsally with faint rugae; postpetiole dorsally with shallow wrinkles. Gaster smooth and shining. Pilosity and pubescence. Body densely covered with erect hairs; pubescence absents, except on apical three antennal segments. Coloration. Body black, except for reddish-brown anterior head margin and posterior margins of gastral segments; antennae and legs reddish-brown, except for antennal club and tarsi yellowish-brown.

Etymology.

The specific epithet “ globicephala ” is a compound Latinized adjective derived from the Greek roots “ globo- ” (γλοβός, globós, “ sphere, ball ”) and “ - cephala ” (κεφαλή, kephal ḗ, “head”), meaning “ globular-headed ” or “ spherical-headed. ” The name refers to the species’ distinctive rounded head shape, which is a key diagnostic character distinguishing it from related Myrmecina taxa.

Distribution.

Guangxi.

Figures

Figure 35. Myrmecina globicephala Gu & Chen, sp. nov. A. Mesosoma in dorsal view; B. Head in full-face view; C. Body in dorsal view; D. Body in lateral view.