Myrmica cagnianti, a new ant from North Africa (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

Abstract

Myrmica cagnianti, a Moroccan ant, is proposed as a new species. It is characterized by its scape without lobulated extension, fine pilosity, absence of tibial spurs II and III and the shape of the petiole node. Differences from M. aloba Forel, M. specioides Bondroit and M. scabrinodis Nylander are described. The males of this new species are very similar to M. scabrinodis males. Cephalic indices provide a good way to discriminate between M. cagnianti and related species. The social parasite Myrmica kabylica (Cagniant) has been found in a nest of this new species, constituting the second record for this rare ant.