The Palaearctic members of the Myrmica schenki group with description of a new species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

Abstract

A taxonomic synopsis of the 6 Palaearctic species of the Myrmica schencki group is given based upon worker morphology. All species are well-separable by morphometry and structural characters. Myrmica pelops sp. n., an endemic species of S Greece, is described. The radiation centre of the group is in the W Palaearctic. Only one species, Myrmica koreana Elmes et al. 2001, is of E Palaearctic distribution, but reaches SE Kazakhstan in the west. Previously established synonymy of Myrmica lacustris Ruzsky 1905 with Myrmica deplanata Emery 1921 (Radchenko 1994b) is considered as most likely. Myrmica caucasicola Arnoldi 1934, an endemic of SE Azerbaijdshan, is redescribed and confirmed as valid species.

Keywords

Palaeartic region, taxonomic revision, Myrmica schencki group, morphometry.

Nomenclatural Acts

caucasicola Arnoldi, 1934 (Myrmica), Lectotype described as Myrmica schencki var. caucasicola
pelops Seifert, 2003 (Myrmica), spec. n.
schencki Viereck, 1903 (Myrmica), Lectotype described as Myrmica rubra var. schencki