Leptogenys laeviterga

Leptogenys laeviterga
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Ponerinae
Tribe:	Ponerini
Genus:	Leptogenys
Species group:	chinensis
Species:	L. laeviterga
Binomial name
	Leptogenys laeviterga; Zhou, Chen, Chen, Zhou, Ban & Huang, 2012

Very little is known of the ecology of L. laeviterga. Specimens (but not the whole colony) from Hong Kong were obtained from within a decaying log from an old growth secondary forest on the southern slopes of Tai Mo Shan (471 m a.s.l.), Hong Kong. Male specimens were obtained on the day of collection. Considering the sampling effort undertaken in Hong Kong, it is surprising that more L. laeviterga have not been collected, indicating the potential rarity of this species. (Hamer et al., 2024)

Identification

Zhou et al. (2012) - This new species is close to Leptogenys strena, but mandibles without tooth; anterior margin of clypeus truncate, and with a pair of denticles in the middle; meso-propodeal suture deeply depressed. It distinguished from Leptogenys lucidula by the lower 1/3 of rnesopleura, sides of propodeum longitudinally striate, and declivity of propodeum transversely striate.

Hamer et al. (2024) - Leptogenys laeviterga is superficially similar to Leptogenys diminuta owing to similarly shaped triangular mandibles, broad petiole shape, as well as overall body size. However, L. laeviterga is readily differentiated by the distinct and conspicuous median clypeal carina; lack of costulate sculpture on the head, lack of teeth on the mandibular masticatory margin, and longer scapes (SL 1.90–1.99). Within the wider Indomalayan Leptogenys fauna, L. laeviterga is morphologically similar to Leptogenys sunzii, but can be differentiated by the truncated clypeal apex in L. laeviterga (pointed and convex in L. sunzii), the smaller eyes (larger in L. sunzii), and the higher than long petiole in L. sunzii whereas the petiole as long as high in L. laeviterga (Xu and He 2015).

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

Keys including this Species

Distribution

Hamer et al. (2024) - Previously, L. laeviterga was only known from its type locality in Darning Mountain National Nature Reserve, Guangxi (Zhou et al. 2012). Here we provide the first record of the species from Hong Kong, representing the eastern most record for this species thus far. The species should therefore be expected from Guangdong and other neighbouring provinces in China.

Hamer et al. (2024), Figure 21. Further distribution maps of Leptogenys species recorded from Hong Kong. A, L. kraepelini. B, L. laeviterga. C, L. peuqueti. D, L. rufida. E, L. strena. The base map displayed shows tree canopy cover with the darker green areas indicating greater tree cover.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Palaearctic Region: China (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

Castes

Known only from the worker caste.

Hamer et al. (2024), Figure 16. Leptogenys laeviterga (ANTWEB1010142). A, lateral view. B, dorsal view. C, head face view.

Nomenclature

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

laeviterga. Leptogenys laeviterga Zhou, Chen, et al. 2012: 888, figs. 1-3 (w.) CHINA.

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

Description

Worker

Holotype. TL 8.8, HL 1.67, HW 1.00, CI 59, SL 1.90, SI 190, PWO.95, AL 2.75, ED 0.25, ML 0.90, PL 0.80, PH 0.87, DPW 0.62, 108, DPI 77. Head longer than broad, lateral sides parallel, occipital margin straight, occipital carina distinct. Mandibles elongate, with only apical tooth. Clypeus acutely carinate, its anterior margin truncate, and with a pair of denticles in the middle. Eyes moderately large, flat, placed in front of the midline of the lateral sides of the head. Antennal scapes stout, about 1/3 of its length surpassed beyond the occipital margin. Alitrunk slender, in profile view promesonotum convex, promesonotal suture and mesopropodeal suture distinct, metanotal groove deeply depressed. Dorsum of propodeum straight, about twice as long as declivity, its posterodorsal corner rounded. Petiolar node anteroposteriorly compressed, with anterior face evenly convex, posterior face straight, dorsum rounded. In dorsal view, the node circular, longer than broad. Subpetiolar process moderately large, triangular. Legs long. Gaster stout, longer than alitrunk, constriction between 1st and 2nd gastral segments distinct. Sting long.

Mandibles and clypeus longitudinally striate. Antennal scapes and flagella shagreened. Head, alitrunk, petiole and gaster smooth and shining. The lower 1/3 of mesopleura and sides of propodeum longitudinally striate. Declivity of propodeum transversely striate. Head, alitrunk, petiole and gaster with abundant soft erect hairs, which combined with abundant short suberect hairs on head, antenna and legs. Colored blackish red. Mandibles and paler, brownish red.

Paratype. TL 8.3, HL 1.70, HW 1.02, CI 60, SL 1.90, SI 186, PW 1.00, AL 2.85, ED 0.27, ML 0.92, PL 0.75, PH 0.87, DPW 0.67, LPI 116, DPI 89.

Type Material

Paratype worker. Darning Mountain National Nature Reserve, N23.49 E 108.43, 1230m, May 29.2011. Yuan Chen; Paratype, 1 worker, data as holotype, but in May 21.2011. Shanyi Zhou.

Etymology

This species is named after its shining gaster.

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).
Zhou, S., Chen, Y., Chen, Z., Zhou, P., Ban, D. and Huang, M. 2012. Two new species of the genus Leptogenys from Guangxi, China. Sociobiology. 59:885-892.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

Zhou S., Y. Chen, Z. Chen, P. Zhou, D. Ban, and M. Huang. 2012. Two new species of the genus Leptogenys from Guangxi, China (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Sociobiology 59: 885-892.