Leptogenys peninsularis

Leptogenys peninsularis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Ponerinae
Tribe:	Ponerini
Genus:	Leptogenys
Species group:	elongata
Species:	L. peninsularis
Binomial name
	Leptogenys peninsularis; Mann, 1926 Specimen labels

This species is endemic to the Baja Peninsula (Johnson & Ward 2002). One series was found under a rock on hillside with vegetation such as Fouquieria diguetti (Tiegh.) I.M. Johnst., Jatropha cinerea (Ortega) Müll. Arg., and Lysiloma candida Brandegee (R. Johnson, label data). (Lattke 2011)

Identification

Lattke (2011) - A member of the elongata species group. Lateral clypeal lobe narrow, weakly concave; perimeter of compound eye abruptly separated from circumocular sulcus; head posteriorly punctate to striate; scape surpasses posterior cephalic border by approximately one-fourth its length; third antennal segment slightly 3 x longer than maximum width; hypostomal tooth not visible in full-face view of head.

L. peninsularis shares with Leptogenys sonora the lack of setae on the tibial apices and the preference for desert habitats.

Keys including this Species

Key to New World Leptogenys

Distribution

The range of Leptogenys peninsularis is confined to Baja Peninsula, Mexico.

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 30.1° to 22.98333333°.


North Temperate	North Subtropical	Tropical	South Subtropical	South Temperate

Source: AntMaps

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Mexico (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 peninsularis 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

Queen unknown.

Nomenclature

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

peninsularis. Leptogenys (Lobopelta) peninsularis Mann, 1926: 102 (w.) MEXICO. Lattke, 2011: 164 (m.).

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

Description

Worker

Lattke (2011) - Metrics (n = 6): HL 1.21-1.39; HW 0.86-1.01; ML 0.61-0.81; EL 0.23-0.30; SL 1.32-1.59; PW 0.76-0.83; WL 1.90-2.23; PH 0.73-0.89; PL 0.63-0.76; DPW 0.56-0.63 mm. CI 0.69-0.79; MI 0.71-0.82; OI 0.24-0.30; SI 1.37-1.62; LPI 0.00-1.25; DPI 0.82-0.92.

Head elongate in full-face view, wider anterad than posterad, posterior and lateral margins broadly convex, vertexal carinae distinctly visible along most posterior margin. Median clypeal lobe bluntly-pointed, triangular, lateral margins lamellate; lateral lobe narrow, weakly concave. Compound eye prominent, convex, diameter covers approximately one-third of lateral cephalic margin, situated close to cephalic mid-length; ocular perimeter abruptly separated from circumocular sulcus. Head posteriorly densely punctate, punctate-striate mesad, striae becoming stronger anteriorly; clypeus with oblique striae, strongest laterad. Scape surpasses posterior cephalic border by approximately one-fourth its length; punctulate, with decumbent pubescence and scattered decumbent hairs. Funicular segments elongate, subcylindrical, slightly wider apicad than basad; third antennal segment slightly 3 x longer than maximum width; second antennal segment more than half the length of third; fourth antennal segment more than half the length of third segment. Mandibles elongate, subtriangular, gradually widening apicad, basal margin weakly convex, external margin weakly sinuate, masticatory margin broadly concave, dorsum mostly smooth and shining with scattered punctae, some patches of weak striae present, especially basad; PF: 4,3. Hypostomal tooth not visible in full-face view of head.

Mesosoma with deep metanotal groove in lateral view, dividing broadly convex promesonotal margin and broadly convex propodeal margin. Pronotum laterally and dorsally rugulose to scabriculous. Prosternum transversely striate. Mesopleuron transversely striate, anteroventrally with low blunt lobe, anteroventral carinae lacking; mesosternum with weak transverse striae; metapleuron mostly with transverse striae, anteriorly rugulose, and close to propodeum obliquely striate; lateral propodeum rugulose; metapleural-propodeal suture shallow but distinct. Bulla of metathoracic spiracle convex, prominent, finely sculptured. Mesonotum broader than long in dorsal view, transversely striate, anterior margin convex, posterior margin concave. Metanotal groove smooth and shining. Dorsum of propodeum mostly rugulose to striate, sometimes with smoothened areas, declivity transversely striate. Propodeal spiracle elongate. Petiole subquadrate in lateral view with vertical anterior margin as long as or shorter than posterior margin, dorsal margin convex, highest point close to mid-length of node, posterior margin slightly inclined anterad, broadly convex. Node laterally mostly striate to rugulose, tending to smooth ventrad, posterior face mostly smooth and shining, slightly concave. Petiolar sternum weakly convex in lateral view, anterior process shaped as hooked lobe. Node approximately as long as broad in dorsal view, anterior margin more than half the width of posterior margin, anterior margin convex, posterior margin concave. Anterior margin of abdominal segment III vertical in lateral view, anterodorsal margin convex. Gaster mostly smooth and shining with scattered fine punctulae, punctulae diminishing in density posterad. Pygidial margin broadly convex in lateral view. Procoxa mostly smooth and shining with scattered shallow punctae and some weak striae basad in lateral view. Body with abundant decumbent pilosity, and erect to semi-erect hairs. Body color mostly ferruginous, with antennae, clypeus, mandibles, legs, and gastral apex slightly lighter colored than rest of body. Tibial apices lacking setae.

Male

Lattke (2011) - A single male specimen apparently belonging to this species was examined. It lacks the head. Pronotum mostly smooth with scattered shallow punctae, anepisternum mostly smooth and shining, katepisternum punctate, propodeum mostly smooth and shining with scattered punctae; mesonotum separated from posterior pronotal margin by gap. Mesosoma mostly brown, pronotum, legs, node light brown, gaster yellow.

Type Material

Comondu, Baja California. Cat. Num. 29048 USNM. Described from 36 workers collected by the writer from colonies found beneath stones by the stream that waters the valley at Comondu.

Lattke (2011) - Syntype workers: Mexico, Baja California Sur, Comondu, beneath stones (W.M. Mann) (Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History) [examined]. The syntypes examined are 3 point-mounted workers on a single pin.

References

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

Dattilo W. et al. 2019. MEXICO ANTS: incidence and abundance along the Nearctic-Neotropical interface. Ecology https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.2944
Fernandes, P.R. XXXX. Los hormigas del suelo en Mexico: Diversidad, distribucion e importancia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).
Johnson, R.A. and P.S. Ward. 2002. Biogeography and endemism of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Baja California, Mexico: a first overview. Journal of Biogeography 29:10091026/
Kempf, W.W. 1972. Catalago abreviado das formigas da regiao Neotropical (Hym. Formicidae) Studia Entomologica 15(1-4).
Lattke J. E. 2011. Revision of the New World species of the genus Leptogenys Roger (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae). Arthropod Systematics and Phylogeny 69: 127-264
Scott-Santos, C.P., F.A. Esteves, C.R.F. Brandao. 2008. Catalogue of "Poneromorph" ant type specimens (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil. Papeis Avulsos de Zoologia 48(11):75-88.
Vásquez-Bolaños M. 2011. Lista de especies de hormigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) para México. Dugesiana 18: 95-133