AntCat
Protonym: Myrmica babiensis
Authorship García et al., 2024: 118, figs. 1B, 7A, 8B, 11-17
Forms q.
Bioregion Palearctic
Locality SPAIN (León)
Etymology The species is named after Babia, the region where most of the known localities of the new species were found. However, the Spanish phrase “estar en Babia” (“to be in Babia”) is also a colloquial expression meaning “to be absent or distracted”, which also corresponds with the fact that this species remained undetected for a very long time. Combining these aspects, we use ‘babiensis’ – a feminine gender Latin adjective derived from Babia.
Primary type information Primary type material: holotype queen. Primary type locality: Spain: León, La Cueta de Babia (Cabrillanes), 43°01’N, 6°11’W, 1620 m, 9.ix-1.x.2010, pitfall trap (A.D. Cuesta-Segura, S. García Tejero, O. Pérez Fuertes, N. Pérez Hidalgo & M. Vaílez de Abajo). Primary type depository: MNCN. Primary type specimen: MNCN_Ent 375518.
Secondary type information Secondary type material: 25 paratype queens. Secondary type localities: 4 paratype queens with same data as holotype; 1 paratype queen with same data as holotype but 1.viii-20.viii.2010; 1 paratype queen with same data as holotype but 20.viii-9.ix.2010; 6 paratype queens La Riera de Babia (Cabrillanes), 42°58’N, 6°08’W, 1559 m, 10.ix-1.x.2010, pitfall traps (A.D. Cuesta-Segura, S. García Tejero, O. Pérez Fuertes, N. Pérez Hidalgo & M. Vaílez de Abajo); 1 paratype queen Peñalba de Cilleros (Cabrillanes), 42°55’N, 6°09’W, 1535 m, 1.viii-21.viii.2010, pitfall trap (A.D. Cuesta-Segura, S. García Tejero, O. Pérez Fuertes, N. Pérez Hidalgo & M. Vaílez de Abajo); 2 paratype queens with same data as previous but 21.viii-12.ix.2010; 1 paratype queen with same data as previous but 12.ix-2.x.2010; 2 paratype queens Sena de Luna, 42°55’N, 5°59’W, 1370 m, 2.viii-22.viii.2010, pitfall traps (A.D. Cuesta-Segura, S. García Tejero, O. Pérez Fuertes, N. Pérez Hidalgo & M. Vaílez de Abajo); 1 paratype queen with same data as previous but 22.viii-12.ix.2010; 2 paratype queens with same data as previous but 12.ix-2.x.2010; 2 paratype queens Riolago de Babia (San Emiliano), 42°54’N, 6°05’W, 1615 m, 22.viii-10.ix.2010, pitfall traps (A.D. Cuesta-Segura, S. García Tejero, O. Pérez Fuertes, N. Pérez Hidalgo & M. Vaílez de Abajo); 2 paratype queens with location not given, 1362 m, 3.x.2011 (A.D. Cuesta-Segura). Secondary type depositories: ADC-SPC, FGPC, MCNB, MIZW, MNCN, SMNG, XEPC. Secondary type specimens: MCNB 2023-1049, MCNB 2023- 1050, MCNB 2023-3996, MCNB 2023-3997, MNCN_Ent 375519, MNCN_Ent 37552, MNCN_Ent 375522, MNCN_Ent 375523.
Type notes 2 paratype queens collected on 3.x.2011 and deposited in XEPC are on the same pin as 2 Myrmica aloba host workers from the same nest.
Taxa belonging to this protonym
Myrmica babiensis Species Valid Original combination