Leptogenys ciliata

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

Only known from type material. The ants were captured in montane rain forest as they foraged.

Identification

Lattke (2011) - Head elongate in full-face view, wider anterad than posterad, lateral margin convex; eye laterodorsally placed on head, small; scape surpasses posterior cephalic border by over one-third its length, basal funicular segments subcylindrical; frontal carinae longitudinally striate, striae extending posterad in full-face view to same level as posterior ocular margin; petiolar node subrectangular in lateral view, longer than high, height of anterior margin less than one-third posterior margin, anterodorsal margin continuously convex.

Keys including this Species

• Key to New World Leptogenys

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 0.1168° to 0.116666667°.

North Temperate	North Subtropical	Tropical	South Subtropical	South Temperate

• Source: AntMaps

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Ecuador (type locality).

Distribution based on AntMaps

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.

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.

Biology

Explore Overview of Leptogenys biology  The biology of Leptogenys ciliata 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.

• ciliata. Leptogenys ciliata Lattke, 2011: 227, fig. 81 (w.) ECUADOR.

Description

Worker

Metrics, holotype (paratype): HL 1.72 (1.69); HW 1.18 (1.18); ML 0.94 (0.98); EL 0.20 (0.24); SL 1.31 (1.28); PW 1.04 (1.04); WL 2.80 (2.76); PH 1.08 (1.01); PL 1.08 (1.01); DPW 0.64 (0.61) mm. CI 0.69 (0.70); MI 0.80 (0.83); OI 0.17 (0.20); SI 1.11 (1.09); LPI 1.00 (1.00); DPI 0.59 (0.60).

Head elongate in full-face view, wider anterad than posterad, lateral margin convex, posterior margin straight to weakly concave; median clypeal lobe triangular, apex bluntly rounded and translucent, lateral lobe weakly developed, not projecting anterad but forming continuous profile with median lobe. Eye laterodorsally placed on head, relatively small, just slightly longer than maximum scape width; eye closer to cephalic mid-length than to mandibular insertion. Scape surpassing posterior cephalic border by distance over one-third its length, basal funicular segments subcylindrical, slightly wider apicad than basad; second antennal segment at least 3 × longer than apical width, length of third antennal segment 2.6 – 2.8 × more than apical width, length of fourth antennal segment over twice apical width; third antennal segment longer than second or fourth. Scape with dense subdecumbent pubescence and abundant subdecumbent hairs. Mandible elongate, gradually expanding apicad; basal margin broadly convex, 5 – 6 stout hairs present along basal margin next to median clypeal lobe; masticatory margin edentate, broadly concave; basal and masticatory margins separated by blunt angle; external margin broadly concave basad, broadly convex apicad. Head mostly smooth and shining except for numerous scattered piligerous punctulae which become denser and more impressed posterad, frontal carinae longitudinally striate, striae extending posterad in full-face view to same level as posterior ocular margin. Clypeus with longitudinal striae medially. Cephalic ventral surface smooth and shining except for scattered, broad, shallow punctae; hypostomal corner developed as triangular lobe, not visible in dorsal cephalic view.

Mesosoma with well-developed metanotal groove in lateral view; most of pronotal margin continuously convex; mesonotal margin relatively straight, propodeal margin mostly broadly convex with minor irregularities, declivitous margin broadly convex with jagged aspect due to transverse striae on declivitous face; very modest lateral lobe present. Pronotum, propleura, and lateral propodeal face mostly smooth and shining with scattered piligerous punctulae; mesopleuron with arching striae anterad, striae weakest medially, well-developed striae present posterad; posteroventral corner, directly dorsad of mesocoxa, with coarse rugulae sculpturing. Mesometapleural suture well developed, scrobiculate; metapleural-propodeal suture absent; metapleuron mostly longitudinally striate, striae weakest dorsad, strongest ventrad, anteroventral margin punctate-striate. Propodeal spiracle broadly oval, facing posterolaterad, bordered ventrally by ledge.

Petiolar node subrectangular in lateral view, longer than high, height of anterior margin less than one-third posterior margin, anterodorsal margin continuously convex, node highest posterad, posterior margin straight to weakly convex. Node elongate in dorsal view, widest posterad, posterior margin straight, lateral margin straight to weakly convex, anterior margin broadly convex, its width more than half the width of posterior margin. Node mostly smooth and shining with scattered piligerous punctae, punctures densest on anterodorsal surface. Subpetiolar process shaped as lobe with convex anteroventral margin and short, mostly vertical posterior margin. Cross-section of node at mid-length V-shaped. Abdominal segment III with continuously convex anterodorsal margin in lateral view, constriction between segments III and IV well marked. Gaster mostly smooth and shining with scattered, piligerous punctulae. Body with abundant subdecumbent pilosity. Body dark brown; clypeus and scape brown; funiculus, legs, and gastral apex ferruginous brown. Pro- and metatibial apices lacking setae, mesotibial apex with single seta laterad.

Type Material

Type material. Holotype worker. Ecuador, Pichincha, Maquipucuna, 5 km ESE Namegal, 17.viii.1991, 1700 m, 0°07'N 78°38'W, P.S. Ward 11509. Deposited in Museum of Comparative Zoology. – Paratype: One worker on the same pin as the holotype. Deposited in MCZC.

The types are point-mounted and both on the same pin. The holotype is the top specimen and the basal part of the point has been stained red.

Etymology

The species name alludes to the abundant pilosity of the body of this ant. It is derived from the Latin for eyelash, cilium.

References

• Lattke, J.E. 2011. Revision of the New World species of the genus Leptogenys Roger (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae). Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny. 69:127-264.