Myrmica tschekanovskii

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Expert
• Origin & Habitat: Eastern Siberia, Russia. Known from the Nizhniaya Tunguska River region near the Yenisei River at approximately 64°N latitude, with records from Khabarovsk and Yakutia ^[1][3]. This is a cold, boreal forest environment with extremely harsh winters.
• Colony Type: Unknown. Queens have never been collected, so colony structure (single-queen or multi-queen) is unconfirmed. Based on typical Myrmica patterns, likely single-queen colonies, but this is purely speculative ^[2].
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Unknown, queens have never been collected or described ^[1][2]
  • Worker: Approximately 4-5mm, inferred from Myrmica genus patterns (no total length measurement available)
  • Colony: Unknown, no colony data exists
  • Growth: Unknown
  • Development: Unknown, no developmental data exists for this species. Based on typical Myrmica genus patterns, estimate 6-10 weeks at optimal temperature, but this is a rough guess. (No direct measurements exist. Estimates based on genus-level patterns only.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Likely cold-adapted given extreme northern distribution. Keep colonies cool, roughly 15-20°C, with access to a slight warmth gradient. Do not overheat, this species is from one of the coldest regions where ants exist. Room temperature (18-22°C) is likely appropriate.
  • Humidity: Moderate. Myrmica generally prefer damp but not waterlogged conditions. Keep nest substrate moist but allow some drying between waterings. Avoid both extreme dryness and saturation.
  • Diapause: Yes, strongly recommended. This species originates from approximately 64°N latitude in Siberia, where winters are extremely harsh. A hibernation period of 4-6 months at 5-10°C is likely necessary for colony health. Do not skip hibernation.
  • Nesting: No specific nesting data exists. Based on genus patterns and cold climate, likely nests in soil or under stones in the permafrost zone. In captivity, standard Myrmica setups work, test tubes, Y-tong nests, or plaster nests with moisture reservoirs. Keep chambers relatively small to match their tiny size.
• Behavior: Behavior is completely unstudied. Based on typical Myrmica, expect moderate activity levels, workers that forage for sugar and protein, and a stinger (though too small to effectively sting humans). Their tiny size means escape prevention must be excellent, they can squeeze through standard test tube barriers. Temperament is likely similar to other Myrmica: not aggressive but will defend the nest if threatened. Foraging style unknown but likely ground-nesting predators/scavengers.
• Common Issues: no biological data exists, all care is estimated from genus patterns, queens have never been collected, wild colonies cannot be identified with certainty, extreme northern distribution means hibernation is critical and cannot be skipped, tiny worker size creates escape risk through standard barriers, virtually impossible to acquire, no known cultures exist in the antkeeping hobby

Species Discovery and Taxonomy

Myrmica tschekanovskii was described by Alexandr Radchenko in 1994 based on specimens collected over 100 years earlier. The type specimens were collected by the Russian geographer and naturalist Alexander Lavrentievich Tschekanovski (1833-1876) during his expeditions to Eastern Siberia. The holotype is a male from the Nizhniaya Tunguska River region near the Yenisei River at 64°40'N, collected on August 5,1873. A paratype worker from the same locality was also examined ^[1].

The species belongs to the arnoldii species group, which was historically classified as the subgenus Dodecamyrmica. This group is distinguished by the 12-segmented antennae of males, most Myrmica males have 13 segments. The species is named in honor of its collector, Tschekanovski ^[1].

Distribution and Climate

This species is known only from Eastern Siberia in Russia, with records from the Khabarovsk region and Yakutia. The type locality at 64°N is extremely far north, this is within the Arctic Circle in some longitudes and represents one of the most northerly distributions of any ant species in Asia ^[3].

The climate in this region is subarctic continental with extremely cold winters and short, cool summers. Permafrost is widespread. Ants living in this environment face annual temperatures that drop far below freezing for most of the year. This suggests M. tschekanovskii is highly cold-adapted and likely requires a prolonged hibernation period to survive seasonal changes ^[1][3].

Identification and Morphology

Workers of M. tschekanovskii are among the smaller Myrmica species, with an alitrunk length of only 1.47mm. They have an elongated head with parallel sides and a slightly concave occipital border. The propodeal spines are acute but relatively short. The antennal scapes are relatively long and weakly curved at the base. The body color is distinctive: the alitrunk is ochraceous (yellowish-brown) while the head and gaster are darker ^[1].

Males are also small and uniquely have only 12 antennal segments (most Myrmica have 13). They have relatively long scapes which distinguishes them from males of related species like Myrmica arnoldii that have shorter scapes. The head is subsquare with rounded occipital corners ^[1].

Current State of Knowledge

It cannot be overstated how little is known about this species. The AntWiki explicitly states 'Nothing is known about the biology of Myrmica tschekanovskii.' Queens have never been collected or described. Colony structure, founding behavior, development timeline, diet preferences, nuptial flight timing, and basic biology are completely unstudied ^[2].

This species is essentially a taxonomic name attached to a few museum specimens. No living colonies have ever been studied, and no observations of behavior in the wild or captivity exist. Any care recommendations must be based entirely on inference from the genus-level patterns of other Myrmica species and what little can be deduced from its extreme northern distribution. This is not a species for beginners, there is no information to guide successful captive husbandry.

Captive Care Recommendations

Since no species-specific care guide exists, recommendations must be based on typical Myrmica husbandry adjusted for this species' likely cold adaptation. Keep colonies cool, room temperature (18-22°C) is likely appropriate, possibly cooler. Avoid heating above 25°C. Provide a moisture gradient via test tube water reservoirs or damp plaster nests.

Hibernation is critical given the natural range. Provide 4-6 months of cold storage at 5-10°C during winter. Feed standard Myrmica diet: sugar water or honey for energy, and protein sources like fruit flies, pinhead crickets, or mealworms. Their tiny worker size means prey items should be small.

Escape prevention is essential, workers are very small and can squeeze through standard barriers. Use fine mesh and ensure all connections are sealed. This species is essentially unavailable in the antkeeping hobby, and no established cultures exist.

Frequently Asked Questions

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References