Leptogenys gorgona

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

Nothing is known about the biology of Leptogenys gorgona.

Identification

Lattke (2011) - Head rectangular in full-face view; eye length equal to one-fourth lateral cephalic margin; length of antennal segments II – IV approximately 2 × their respective length. Petiolar node elongate in dorsal view, anterior margin broadly convex and half the width of posterior margin, posterior margin straight, lateral margins straight to slightly concave.

A member of the pusilla species group. This ant can be easily confused with Leptogenys pusilla on account of its similar size and general characteristics but the following traits can be used to separate the two. The dorsal propodeal margin in lateral view curves onto the declivitous margin, differing from the blunt angle of L. pusilla. L. gorgona has a better defined metanotal groove, a more elongate node and head, and relatively larger eyes. L. gorgona can also be confused with the sympatric Leptogenys quadrata because of the elongate head and node, but L. quadrata is considerably larger, and lacks propodeal armature.

Keys including this Species

• Key to New World Leptogenys

Distribution

The range of Leptogenys gorgona extends from northwestern Colombia to eastern Ecuador.

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 10.89976° to -0.710555556°.

North Temperate	North Subtropical	Tropical	South Subtropical	South Temperate

• Source: AntMaps

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Colombia (type locality), Ecuador.

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 gorgona 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.

• gorgona. Leptogenys gorgona Lattke, 2011: 191, fig. 45 (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 (n = 3) : HL 0.80 – 0.87; HW 0.48 – 0.50; ML 0.32 – 0.35; EL 0.10 – 0.15; SL 0.67 – 0.75; PW 0.45 – 0.48; WL 1.14 – 1.22; PH 0.40 – 0.45; PL 0.45 – 0.48; DPW 0.27 – 0.27 mm. CI 0.58 – 0.61; MI 0.66 – 0.70; OI 0.21 – 0.30; SI 1.38 – 1.50; LPI 0.89 – 0.93; DPI 0.55 – 0.59.

Head rectangular in full-face view; lateral margin broadly convex; posterior cephalic margin weakly concave, almost straight; median clypeal lobe triangular, apex acutely pointed; lateral lobe narrow, inconspicuous; eye broadly convex in cephalic full-face view; head widest posterior to compound eyes. Scape surpasses posterior cephalic border by 2 apical widths; basal funicular segments approximately of same length; length of antennal segments II – IV approximately 2 × their respective lengths. Mandibular basal margin broadly sinuate, row of 3 stiff hairs present basad; masticatory margin short with blunt apical tooth; mandibular dorsum mostly smooth and shining with scattered punctulae; mandible of same width in oblique ventral view. Cephalic dorsum mostly smooth and shining with sparse punctulae.

Dorsal mesosomal margin mostly continuous in lateral view, metanotal groove broad and shallow; straight to weakly convex, pronotal and propodeal dorsal margin each broadly convex; declivitous margin of propodeal declivity convex, with blunt, modest triangular lobe at spiracular height; mesosomal side smooth and shining, mesometapleural suture distinctly impressed, scrobiculate; metapleural-propodeal suture absent; propodeal spiracle oval with opening directed posterolaterally, weakly oblique; shallow depression located between spiracle and propodeal lobe; mesosomal dorsum smooth and shining, propodeal declivity with 4–5 transverse striae. Mesopleuron with anteroventral carina widest anterad; mesonotum 2.5 × wider than long in dorsal view, posterior margin straight.

Petiole node subquadrate in lateral view, slightly inclined anterad; anterior and posterior margins vertical, anterior margin less than half the height of posterior margin; node highest posterad, dorsal margin convex, without sharp lateral edges. Subpetiolar process rectangular in lateral view, with anterior margin shorter than posterior margin. Node elongate in dorsal view, anterior margin broadly convex and 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. Anterodorsal postpetiolar margin continuously rounded in lateral view or with anterior margin more broadly convex than dorsal margin; constriction between abdominal segments III – IV well marked. Body color ferruginous to dark brown; mandibles, legs, and antenna brownish-yellow. Body with scattered erect and semi-erect hairs, appressed pilosity wanting. Coxae mostly smooth and shining; metacoxal dorsum with posterior rounded crest basad; tibial apices usually lacking setae, mesotibia occasionally with seta.

Type Material

Holotype worker. Colombia, Valle, Anchicayá, 200 m, 17. – 19.vi.1971, W.L. Brown leg. One worker deposited in Museum of Comparative Zoology. – Paratypes. Seven workers from the same series as holotype. 5w deposited in MCZC, 1w Humboldt Institute, 1w Instituto de Zoologia Agricola.

Etymology

The species name is derived from an island included within the geographic range of the species: Isla La Gorgona along the southwestern Colombian coast.

References

• 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. [2011-12-13] PDF

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

• 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