Leptogenys quirozi

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

One label in the type series mentions the ants being found in a log. The type locality, Portillo del Rayo, is located at 15°59′N 96°31′W, and is approximately 1500 m above sea level. The other locality is more commonly spelled Acahuizotla, and has elevations 600 – 650 m. (Lattke 2011)

Identification

Lattke (2011) - A member of the wheeleri species group. Mandible elongate, widening apicad, basal angle convex, not angular; median clypeal lobe evenly convex, not prominent; angle between base of median lobe and lateral lobe obtuse. (Lattke 2011)

Keys including this Species

Key to New World Leptogenys

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 17.38333333° to 16.583333°.


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 quirozi 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

Males are unknown.

Nomenclature

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

quirozi. Leptogenys quirozi Lattke, 2011: 225, fig. 78 (w.q.) MEXICO.

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

This species has most expanded mandible of the wheeleri group, approximating a subtriangular form. It can be easily confused with Leptogenys ixta because of the similar size and mandibles that expand apicad. When closed the mandibles of L. quirozi do not leave a space between their basal margin and the opposing lateral clypeal margin. The median clypeal lobe is distinctly separated from the lateral lobes in both species, but in L. ixta the median lobe extends anterad such that its base forms almost perpendicular angles with the lateral lobes, while the median lobe in L. quirozi is broadly convex, not as prominent and forms an obtuse angle at its juncture with each lateral lobe. The mandibular basal angle is convex and not angular as in L. ixta, and L. quirozi is on average larger than L. ixta. In L. ixta the cuticle is rougher and its anterior mesopleuron has a brief sulcus that runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mesoplueron, and between the mesonotum and anteroventral mesopleural carina. Such a sulcus is lacking in L. quirozi. The convex outline of the propodeum in lateral view, a usual trait of queens for the genus, is not as noticeable in this species because the workers also have a convex propodeal outline.

Description

Worker

Metrics, holotype (paratypes, n = 4): HL 1.55 (1.55 – 1.62); HW 1.31 (1.28 – 1.35); ML 0.71 (1.01 – 1.04); EL 0.30 (0.30–0.34); SL 1.69 (1.62–1.72); PW 1.01 (1.01 – 1.04); WL 2.59 (2.43 – 2.66); PH 0.98 (0.94 – 1.08); PL 0.74 (0.74–0.81); DPW 0.74 (0.74–0.81) mm. CI 0.85 (0.79 – 0.83); MI 0.54 (0.75 – 0.79); OI 0.23 (0.24 – 0.26); SI 1.28 (1.23–1.34); LPI 1.32 (1.26 – 1.33); DPI 1.00 (0.96 – 1.05).

Head sub-rectangular in full-face view, posterior and lateral margins weakly convex, lateral margins weakly diverging anterad. Eye diameter occupies slightly under one-third lateral cephalic margin; anterior clypeal margin converges evenly towards median apex, median lobe bordered by translucent strip, strip separated from translucent lateral lobe, lateral lobe widest anterad. Scape surpasses posterior cephalic border by more than one-third its length, length of fourth antennal segment slightly more than one-half of third antennal segment. Mandible subtriangular, basal margin separated from clypeus at base by distance less than half its basal width in cephalic full-face view; mandible expands apicad, apical two-thirds of basal margin convex; basal angle rounded, masticatory margin mostly concave; hypostomal tooth not visible in dorsal cephalic view. Mandibular dorsum mostly smooth and shining with weak longitudinal striolae. Cephalic dorsum densely punctulate, each punctulae flat bottomed, punctulose-rugulose towards clypeus; clypeus rugulose-punctate.

Mesosoma with dorsal margin divided by metanotal groove in lateral view into broadly convex promesonotal margin, and more curved propodeal margin; dorsal and declivitous margins form continuous convexity. Mesopleuron rectangular, anteroventral margin with low carina that widens anterad; mesometapleural suture well impressed, metapleural-propodeal suture weakly impressed; propodeal spiracle elongate-oval, posterolaterally facing; mesonotum rectangular, broader than long in dorsal view. Node in lateral view subquadrate, anterior margin mostly vertical, posterior margin weakly sinuate; anterior margin lower than posterior margin.

Petiole roughly as broad as long in dorsal view, slightly wider posterad than anterad; anterior margin convex in lateral view, posterior margin mostly straight; lateral margin straight to weakly convex. Integument of body and coxae mostly opaque, densely punctulate; dorsal and lateral sides without standing hairs, except towards gastral apex. Head, thorax, and most of gaster grayish-black, clypeus dark brown; antennae, mandibles, and gastral apex brown.

Queen

Metrics: HL 1.62; HW 1.31; ML 1.08; EL 0.34; SL 1.65; PW 1.04; WL 2.53; PH 1.08; PL 0.71; DPW 0.88 mm. CI 0.81; MI 0.82; OI 0.26; SI 1.26; LPI 1.52; DPI 1.24. Ergatoid with the usual differences from the worker. The petiolar node as compared with the worker is noticeably wider posterad than anterad in dorsal view. The gaster of the queen is quite larger than the worker. Three punctures on the posterior frons suggest vestigial ocelli.

Type Material

Holotype worker. Mexico, Oaxaca, Portillo del Rayo, 30.ii.89, L. Quiroz coll. Deposited in Instituto de Ecología. – Paratypes. With the same locality data: 6w 1q deposited in IEXA, 1w WPMC, 1w Museum of Comparative Zoology, 1w Instituto de Zoologia Agricola.

Etymology

The species name is a patronym that alludes to the collector of these ants, Luis Quiroz Robledo.

References

Lattke, J.E. 2011. Revision of the New World species of the genus Leptogenys Roger (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae). Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny. 69:127-264.

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