Leptogenys minima

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

Nothing is known about the biology of Leptogenys minima.

Identification

Lattke (2011) - Head elongate, subrectangular in full-face view; median clypeal lobe triangular, elongate; eye broadly convex in cephalic full-face view, length more than one-third lateral cephalic margin; mesopleuron anterodorsad with brief series of striae that extend transversely posterad; node mostly smooth and shining except for longitudinal striae ventrad; node slightly longer than wide in dorsal view, anterior margin convex and more than half width of posterior margin.

A member of the langi species group. This species is easily recognized on account of the small size and large striking eyes. The transverse striae discernable in lateral view along the ventral margin of the petiolar node are unusual in these small species which are dominated by smooth and shining sculpture. The mesopleuron seems to be divided into a dorsal anepisternum and ventral katepisternum by a series of striae.

Keys including this Species

• Key to New World Leptogenys

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -14.285° to -14.285°.

North Temperate	North Subtropical	Tropical	South Subtropical	South Temperate

• Source: AntMaps

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Brazil (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 minima 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.

• minima. Leptogenys minima Lattke, 2011: 181, fig. 35 (w.) BRAZIL.

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 0.85 (0.87); HW 0.53 (0.57); ML 0.37 (0.35); EL 0.20 (0.20); SL 0.78 (0.77); PW 0.48 (0.48); WL 1.25 (1.25); PH 0.48 (0.47); PL 0.47 (0.43); DPW 0.32 (0.32) mm. CI 0.63 (0.65); MI 0.69 (0.62); OI 0.38 (0.35); SI 1.47 (1.35); LPI 1.04 (1.08); DPI 0.68 (0.73).

Head elongate, subrectangular in full-face view; lateral margin broadly convex, head width greatest posterad of eye; posterior cephalic margin straight to weakly convex; median clypeal lobe triangular, elongate, width at base less than external width of antennal fossae; apex lamellate and pointed, sometimes with single hair; lateral lobe narrow and subparallel with clypeal margin; eye broadly convex in cephalic full-face view, length more than one-third lateral cephalic margin, ocular center closer to mid-length of lateral cephalic margin than to mandibular insertion. Scape smooth and shining with abundant piligerous punctulae, surpassing posterior cephalic border by less than one-fourth its length; antennal segment III slightly longer than either segments II and IV; length of antennal segment III just under twice apical width. Mandible elongate, external and basal margins parallel; basal margin mostly broadly convex, row of 2 – 3 setae present on base; basal angle rounded, masticatory margin short with single apical tooth; mandibular dorsum mostly smooth and shining with scattered punctulae. Cephalic dorsum mostly smooth and shining with abdundant punctulae, ventral side with sparse punctae; labium and stipes smooth and shining; clypeus with longitudinal striae between median crest and lateral apex, rest smoother.

Dorsal pronotal margin convex in lateral view; metanotal groove broad and shallow but distinct, dorsal propodeal margin weakly convex, declivitous margin curves onto tooth; propodeal tooth bluntly triangular, dorsal margin jagged. Pronotum smooth and shining with sparse punctulae; mesopleuron weakly colliculate mesad, posteroventrad transversely strigose; anterodorsad with brief series of striae that extend transversely posterad; metapleuron smooth and shining anterad, posterad transversely striate; lateral propodeal face mostly smooth and shining except for irregular striae around spiracle. Mesometapleural suture broad and scrobiculate; metapleural-propodeal suture absent; propodeal spiracle relatively small, broadly oval with opening directed posterolaterally; anteroventral carina of mesopleuron weakly widens anterad; mesosomal dorsum smooth and shining; propodeal declivity mostly with coarse transverse striae except for broad transverse sulcus next to petiolar insertion. Prosternum smooth and shining; mesonotum over twice wider than long in dorsal view, widest mesad; metanotal groove scrobiculate.

Petiole node subrectangular in lateral view; anterior margin vertical, weakly convex; anterior margin less than half height of posterior margin; node highest posterad, dorsal margin convex, sloped. Subpetiolar process subtriangular in lateral view with posterior hook. Node slightly longer than wide in dorsal view, anterior margin convex and more than half width of posterior margin, posterior margin weakly convex, lateral margin straight to weakly convex. Node mostly smooth and shining except for longitudinal striae ventrad. Anterodorsal margin of abdominal segment III continuously convex; constriction between abdominal segments III – IV well marked; gaster mostly smooth and shining with sparse piligerous punctulae. Body color mostly dark brown; mandible, clypeus, scape, legs brown; funiculi, tibiae, gastral apex ferruginous brown. Body with scattered subdecumbent 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, mesotibia with apical seta.

Type Material

Holotype worker. Brazil, Goias, Niquelândia, 14°17′06′′S 48°55′01′′W, 18. – 30.v.1996, Silvestre, Silva & Brandão. One worker deposited in Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo. – Paratype. One worker on the same pin as the holotype deposited in MZSP.

Etymology

The species name is derived from the Latin minimus, for least, and alludes to the relative small size of this species when compared to other members of the genus for the Americas.

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.