Key to Leptogenys of Hong Kong

Key to Leptogenys workers of Hong Kong SAR, based on Hamer et al. (2024).

1

• Anterior clypeal margin terminating in a narrowly convex point (Fig. 2A) => 2
• Anterior clypeal margin terminating in a distinct truncation (Fig. 2B) => 4

• 

  Hamer et al. (2024), Figure 2. Differing anterior clypeal shapes. A, Leptogenys rufida (RHL1259). B, L. kraepelini (ANTWEB1010120).

2

• Pedicel as long as flagellomere I (AII 0.17–0.19; AFI 0.13–0.15) (Fig. 3A); in lateral view, petiole subquadrate, as long as high (LPI 82.61–114.29) (Fig. 3C) => Leptogenys rufida
• Flagellomere I considerably longer than pedicel (AII 0.17–0.24; AFI 0.31–0.39) (Fig. 3B); in lateral view, petiolar node triangular, either longer than high or as long as high (LPI 74.93–97.24) (Fig. 3D) => 3

• 

  Hamer et al. (2024), Figure 3. Differences between antennal segment lengths and petiolar shapes. A, Leptogenys rufida (MBS006585). B, L. peuqueti (ANTWEB10096169). C, Leptogenys rufida (MBS015251). D, L. peuqueti (RHL003347).

3

• In full-face view, head lateral margin convex; head dorsum predominantly smooth, with very sparse punctation; eye larger (EL 0.29–0.37) => Leptogenys peuqueti
• In full-face view, head lateral margin straight to weakly tapering posteriorly; head dorsum densely punctate; eye smaller (EL 0.22–0.27) => Leptogenys grohli

4

• Masticatory margin of mandible with 3–5 teeth (Fig. 4A); head dorsum smooth, with sparse hair bearing punctures only => Leptogenys strena
• Masticatory margin of mandible edentate, or with a single tooth (Fig. 4B); head dorsum sculpture varying, not as above => 5

• 

  Hamer et al. (2024), Figure 4. Mandibular masticatory margin differences. A, Leptogenys strena (ANTWEB1010114). B, L. diminuta (GYOT070).

5

• Lateral clypeal margin with conspicuous angulate lobes (Fig. 5A); first and second gastral tergites densely sculptured throughout (Fig. 5C) => Leptogenys binghamii
• Lateral clypeal margin lacking conspicuous angulate lobes (Fig. 5B); first and second gastral tergites smooth and shiny (Fig. 5D) => 6

• 

  Hamer et al. (2024), Figure 5. Clypeus lobes of Leptogenys binghamii and L. diminuta, as well as tergite sculpture differences between the same species. A, L. binghamii (RHL01659). B, L. diminuta (GYOT070). C, L. binghamii (ANTWEB1010113). D, L. diminuta (ANTWEB1010183).

6

• Petiole almost as long as high in lateral view (LPI 89.2–99.35); dorsal margin with a distinct anterior to posterior curvature (Fig. 6A) => Leptogenys kraepelini
• Petiole as high as long or higher than long in lateral view (LPI 107.12–158.96); dorsal margin flat, lacking conspicuous anterior to posterior curvature (Fig. 6B) => 7

• 

  Hamer et al. (2024), Figure 6. Contrasting petiole shapes between L. kraepelini and L. diminuta. A, L. kraepelini (ANTWEB1010121). B, L. diminuta (ANTWEB1010183).

7

• Head dorsum smooth, other than hair bearing punctation; clypeus with a conspicuous median longitudinal carina (Fig. 7A); pronotum entirely smooth => Leptogenys laeviterga
• Head dorsum with longitudinal costulae; clypeus either entirely lacking median carina or with a weakly produced, inconspicuous carina (Fig. 7B); pronotum variably sculptured => 8

• 

  Hamer et al. (2024), Figure 7. Clypeus differences between Leptogenys laeviterga and L. kitteli. A, L. laeviterga (ANTWEB1010142). B, L. kitteli (RHL02795).

8

• Sides of pronotum smooth, finely rugulose or finely reticulate (Fig. 8A); masticatory margin with a single tooth; generally a smaller species (WL 2.33–2.53) => Leptogenys diminuta
• Sides of pronotum longitudinally striate (Fig. 8B); masticatory margin without teeth; generally a larger species (WL 2.64–2.87) => Leptogenys kitteli

• 

  Hamer et al. (2024), Figure 8. Diverging mesosomal sculpture between L. diminuta and L. kitteli. A, L. diminuta (ANTWEB1010183). B, L. kitteli (PFL1T2W5-1).

References

• Hamer, M.T., Lee, J.H.C., Tse, C.Y.L., Silva, T.S.R., Guénard, B. 2024. The Leptogenys Roger, 1861 (Formicidae, Ponerinae) of Hong Kong SAR with additional records from Guangdong, China. ZooKeys 1202, 169–211 (doi:10.3897/zookeys.1202.120214).