Leptogenys linda

AntWiki: The Ants --- Online
Leptogenys linda
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Ponerinae
Tribe: Ponerini
Genus: Leptogenys
Species group: luederwaldti
Species: L. linda
Binomial name
Leptogenys linda
Lattke, 2011

Leptogenys linda P.jpg

Leptogenys linda D.jpg

Specimen Label

Nothing is known about the biology of Leptogenys linda.

Identification

Lattke (2011) - A member of the luederwaldti species group. Smooth and shining body except for transverse striae on propodeal dorsum, low propodeal denticle present, head elongate head, scape surpasses posterior cephalic margin by half its length; constriction between abdominal segments II and IV well marked.

Keys including this Species

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 4.5925° to 4.5925°.

 
North
Temperate
North
Subtropical
Tropical South
Subtropical
South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Colombia.

Distribution based on AntMaps

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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.
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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.
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Biology

Explore-icon.png Explore Overview of Leptogenys biology 
The biology of Leptogenys linda 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.

  • linda. Leptogenys linda Lattke, 2011: 185, fig. 39 (w.) COLOMBIA.

Type Material

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

This species is described from a single specimen yet it is so distinct from any others of its group on account of its large size, dominant smooth and shining sculpture, elongate head, propodeal denticles, and well marked gastral constriction. The possibility exists that the single specimen could be recently eclosed and the brownish color might eventually give way to black.

Description

Worker

Metrics, holotype: HL 1.89; HW 1.31; ML 1.18; EL 0.37; SL 2.59; PW 1.04; WL 3.27; PH 1.04; PL 1.04; DPW 0.54 mm. CI 0.70; MI 0.90; OI 0.28; SI 1.97; LPI 1.00; DPI 0.52.

Head elongate in full-face view, wider anterad than posterad, lateral cephalic margin straight to weakly convex, posterior cephalic margin straight; clypeal lobe blunt; lateral clypeal lobe shaped as broad convexity, stretching to same level as anterior margin of eye to mid diameter of antennal fossa. Eye diameter covers more than one-third lateral cephalic margin. Scape surpasses posterior cephalic border by half its length, third antennal segment 5 × its width, length of second antennal segment more than half length of third segment. Cephalic dorsal and ventral faces mostly smooth and shining with sparse piligerous punctulae. Mandibles mostly semiparallel, weakly widening apicad, preapical angle convex, basal margin broadly convex, external margin weakly concave medially, mandibular dorsum with fine longitudinal parallel striae, and scattered piligerous punctae. Stipes and labium smooth and shining.

Mesosoma with deep metanotal groove in lateral view, dividing promesonotal convexity from straight to weakly convex propodeal dorsal margin; propodeal dorsal margin more than 2 × length of declivitous margin; declivitous margin forms rounded obtuse angle with dorsal propodeal margin. Mesosoma mostly smooth and shining, some arched striae present at posterolateral pronotal area and posterior metapleuron; propodeal declivity transversely striate, low denticle present just dorsad of bulla; spiracle elongate, slightly elevated and posterolaterally facing. Mesonotum in dorsal view slightly longer than broad. Petiole subtriangular in lateral view, with brief convex anterior margin, broadly convex sloping anterodorsal margin that reaches posterior summit, posterior margin straight, not vertical but slightly sloping. Node in dorsal view elongate, gradually diverging posterad, anterior margin more than half width of posterior margin. Node smooth and shining. Gaster mostly smooth and shining with sparse piligerous punctulae; anterior margin of abdominal segment III forms single convexity in lateral view; constriction between segments III and IV well marked; pygidium with brief posteromedian crest. Coxae smooth and shining. Mandibles, antennae, legs, and gastral apex mostly ferruginous brown, rest of body brown. Scape with short subdecumbent pilosity, body with scattered sudecumbent fine hairs, large standing hair present mostly on clypeus, procoxa and gastral apex, some on head, and ventral body parts. Hairs golden.

Etymology

The species name alludes to sleek beauty of the ant. It is derived from the Spanish for beautiful, lindo.

References