Leptogenys glabra

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Leptogenys glabra
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Ponerinae
Tribe: Ponerini
Genus: Leptogenys
Species group: pusilla
Species: L. glabra
Binomial name
Leptogenys glabra
Lattke, 2011

Leptogenys glabra P.jpg

Leptogenys glabra D.jpg

Specimen Label

Nothing is known about the biology of Leptogenys glabra.

Identification

Lattke (2011) - Median clypeal lobe, laterally lamellate with median denticle, no apical seta; width of second funicular segment less than a third of its length; mesonotum 3 × wider than long in dorsal view; mesometapleural suture fine, smooth, not scrobiculate; propodeal declivity mostly smooth with 3 – 5 transverse striae between lobes.

A member of the pusilla species group. Several other sympatric Leptogenys could be confused with this species, such a Leptogenys gorgona, which is smaller and has a more elongate cephalic capsule: likewise Leptogenys quadrata has a more elongate cephalic capsule, but its eyes are located more towards the cephalic mid-length than in L. glabra. The mandibles in both specimens are not totally closed but the little overlap between the two mandibles, when compared with other species of the pusilla group, suggest the mandibles can be totally closed in this species.

Keys including this Species

Distribution

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Colombia (type locality).

Distribution based on AntMaps

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Distribution based on AntWeb specimens

Check data from AntWeb

Countries Occupied

Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species.
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Estimated Abundance

Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species.
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Biology

Explore-icon.png Explore Overview of Leptogenys biology 
The biology of Leptogenys glabra is poorly known.

The Leptogenys genus page has more details about the general biology of ants in this genus, some of which is summarized in what follows. New World species have relatively small ranges, generally occur in humid forests and prey on isopods. Colonies may occur in high densities on a local scale, with up to 5 or 6 species present. Nest size tends to be small with just 20 or 30 individuals in a mature colony. Nests of most species may be found in rotten wood on the ground, usually within cavities in logs or large branches, and also beneath bark. Wood-soil and rock-soil interfaces are another common nesting location, as well as rock crevices, and a few species may nest directly in the soil. Reproduction is most commonly via ergatoid females and, in many species, may include egg-laying workers. ‎

Castes

Queens and males are unknown.

Nomenclature

The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.

  • glabra. Leptogenys glabra Lattke, 2011: 191, fig. 44 (w.) COLOMBIA.

Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.

Description

Worker

Metrics, holotype (paratype): HL 0.67 (0.70); HW 0.70 (0.70); ML 0.50 (0.48); EL 0.15 (0.15); SL 0.67 (0.67); PW 0.60 (0.60); WL 1.45 (1.49); PH 0.53 (0.53); PL 0.52 (0.55); DPW 0.37 (0.37) mm. CI 1.05 (1.00); MI 0.71 (0.69); OI 0.21 (0.21); SI 0.95 (0.95); LPI 1.03 (0.97); DPI 0.71 (0.67).

Head subquadrate in full-face view; lateral margin broadly convex; posterior cephalic margin weakly concave, almost straight; median clypeal lobe triangular, laterally lamellate, apex angular with median denticle, no apical seta; lateral lobe narrow, widest towards median lobe, forming rounded angle; eye weakly convex in cephalic full-face view; eye elongate, length not more than 7 ommatidia, width 4–5 ommatidia. Head widest posterior to compound eyes. Scape smooth and shining with abundant piligerous punctulae, surpassing posterior cephalic border by more than one-fourth its length; funicular segments elongate; lengths of antennal segments II–IV more than twice respective lengths. Mandible elongate, internal and external margins parallel; basal margin broadly sinuate, row of 2 – 3 stiff hairs present on basal convexity; masticatory margin short with blunt apical tooth; mandibular dorsum mostly smooth and shining with scattered punctulae. Cephalic dorsum mostly smooth and shining with piligerous punctulae; clypeus with weak striae mesad, laterally smooth.

Dorsal mesosomal margin mostly continuous in lateral view, pronotal dorsal margin broadly convex, metanotal groove weakly impressed, dorsal propodeal margin broadly convex, forming obtuse angle with straight declivitous margin. Declivitous margin jagged at base of tooth, propodeal tooth shaped as low swelling on dorsal margin of bulla. Mesosoma mostly smooth and shining with sparse piligerous punctulae, mesometapleural suture distinctly impressed, mostly fine and smooth, scrobiculate posteroventrad; mesopleuron with small rugulose area posteroventrad, mesopleural carina well developed, widest anterad; metapleural-propodeal suture absent; propodeal spiracle round with opening directed laterally, weakly oblique; propodeal declivity mostly smooth with 3 – 5 transverse striae between lobes. Prosternum smooth and shining; mesonotum 3 × wider than long in dorsal view, metanotal groove smooth.

Petiole node subrectangular in lateral view; anterior margin weakly convex, height less than half height of mostly straight posterior margin, dorsal margin mostly broadly convex, dorsal margin posteriorly convex, node highest posterad; node mostly smooth and shining. Subpetiolar process subtriangular in lateral view, with long anteroventral margin. Node subrectangular, elongate in dorsal view, wider posterad than anterad; anterior margin broadly convex, over half the width of posterior margin; posterior margin straight, lateral margins straight to slightly concave. Transverse section of node at mid-length roughly V-shaped with straight lateral margins. Anterior postpetiolar margin broadly convex in lateral view, dorsal margin convex; constriction between abdominal segments III–IV broad; gaster mostly smooth and shining with scattered piligerous punctulae. Body mostly dark brown; mandibles, clypeus, legs, antennae, and gastral apex light brown. Body with scattered erect and semi-erect hairs, appressed pilosity wanting. Coxae mostly smooth and shining; metacoxal dorsum with posterior rounded crest basad; pro- and metatibial apices lacking setae, mesotibial apex with seta.

Type Material

Holotype worker. Colombia, Valle, Bajo Calima, 120 m, [no date], RA 182, R. Aldana leg. One worker deposited in Humboldt Institute. – Paratype. One callow worker with same data as holotype. Deposited in IAVH.

Etymology

The species name is derived from the Latin for smooth and glossy, glabra, and alludes to the polished and mostly denudate exoskeleton of this species.

References