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. 2016 Jul 14:(605):113-29.
doi: 10.3897/zookeys.605.9087. eCollection 2016.

Socially-parasitic Myrmica species (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of Himalaya, with the description of a new species

Himender Bharti  1 , Alexander Radchenko  2 , Sishal Sasi  1
Affiliations

Socially-parasitic Myrmica species (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of Himalaya, with the description of a new species

Himender Bharti et al. Zookeys. .

Abstract

A new socially-parasitic species, Myrmica latra sp. n. is described based on a queen and male from Indian Himalaya. Its queen differs from other species by the distinctly narrower petiole and postpetiole, blunt and non-divergent propodeal spines, and a darker body colour. The taxonomic position of the three known Himalayan socially-parasitic Myrmica species is discussed, and Myrmica ereptrix Bolton 1988 is transferred to the smythiesii species-group. It is supposed that Myrmica nefaria Bharti 2012 is a temporary social parasite, but Myrmica ereptrix and Myrmica latra sp. n. are permanent social parasites, and a key for their identification is provided.

Keywords: Ants; Myrmica ereptrix; Myrmica latra sp. n.; Myrmica nefaria; Taxonomy; social parasitism.

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Figures

Figures 1.
Figures 1.
Illustrations: A Head (queen) B Profile (queen) C Dorsum (queen) D Head (male) E Profile (male) F Dorsum (male).
Figures 2–7.
Figures 2–7.
Myrmica latra sp. n. 2 Head (queen) 3 Profile (queen) 4 Dorsum (queen) 5 Head (male) 6 Profile (male) 7 Dorsum (male).
Figures 8–10.
Figures 8–10.
Myrmica ereptrix. 8 Head (queen) 9 Profile (queen) 10 Dorsum (queen).
Figures 11–16.
Figures 11–16.
Myrmica nefaria. 11 Head (queen) 12 Profile (queen) 13 Dorsum (queen) 14 Head (male) 15 Profile (male) 16 Dorsum (male).
Map 1.
Map 1.
Geographical distribution of socially parasitic species in Himalaya.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Arnoldi KV. (1933) About one new ant genus connecting with the origin of generic features of socially parasitic ants. Russkoe Entomologicheskoe obozrenie 25(1/2): 40–51. [In Russian]
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