Leptogenys sunzii

The type material was found "foraging on the ground in mixed conifer-broadleaf forest" and in a "nest in soil in monsoon evergreen broadleaf forest."

Identification
Xu and He (2015) - Similar to Leptogenys laeviterga, but the clypeus is bluntly pointed at apex; eyes are larger and occupy one third of head side; petiolar node is relatively higher in lateral view, about 1.4 times as high as long, dorsal margin is as long as anterior margin, anterodorsal corner is broadly rounded, the node is as broad as long in dorsal view. In L. laeviterga the clypeus is truncated at apex; the eyes are relatively smaller and occupy one fourth side of head; petiolar node is relatively longer in lateral view, about 1.3 times as high as long, dorsal margin is distinctly longer than anterior margin, anterodorsal corner is narrowly rounded, the node is obviously longer than broad in dorsal view.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China.

Nomenclature

 *  sunzii. Leptogenys sunzii Xu & He, 2015: 147, figs. 36-43 (w.) CHINA.

Worker
Holotype: TL 8.2, HL 1.77, HW 1.27, CI 72, SL 1.90, SI 150, ML 1.00, ED 0.37, PW 1.00, MSL 2.93, PL 0.73, PH 0.90, DPW 0.57, LPI 123, DPI 77.

In full-face view head trapezoidal, longer than broad and weakly widened anteriorly, posterior margin straight and carinate, posterior corner rounded, lateral margin moderately convex. Mandible relatively broad, masticatory margin edentate, basal corner bluntly angled, inner margin weakly convex. Clypeus acutely longitudinally carinate, bluntly pointed at apex, each side with blunt prominence. Antenna long, two fifths of scape length surpasses posterior head corner, flagellar segments distinctly longer than broad, segment 3 longer than segment 4. Eye moderately large, occupying about one third of lateral cephalic margin, situated slightly in front of midpoint of lateral margin.

In lateral view promesonotum moderately convex and distinctly higher than propodeum, promesonotal suture obvious. Metanotal groove deeply angularly impressed. Dorsum of propodeum weakly convex, about 2.5 times as long as declivity, posterodorsal corner rounded. Petiolar node roughly trapezoidal, about 1.4 times higher than long, dorsal and anterior margin weakly convex, posterior margin straight, anterodorsal corner broadly rounded, posterodorsal corner prominent. Subpetiolar process long and narrow, roughly cuneiform. Constriction between abdominal segments III and IV distinct. Sting extruding.

In dorsal view mesosoma strongly constricted at mesothorax, distinctly widened posteriorly, sides of pronotum strongly convex. Petiolar node trapezoidal, as broad as long, strongly widened posteriorly, anterior and lateral margins weakly convex, posterior margin almost straight, anterior corner rounded, posterior corner blunt.

Mandible smooth and shiny. Clypeus finely longitudinally striate. Head, mesosoma, petiole and gaster smooth and shiny. Dorsal portion of mesopleuron, ventral portions of metapleuron and propodeum striate. Declivity transversely striate. Head dorsum with abundant suberect hairs and decumbent pubescence. Dorsa of mesosoma, petiolar node and gaster with abundant suberect hairs and sparse decumbent pubescence. Scapes and tibiae with sparse subdecumbent hairs and dense decumbent pubescence. Body color black, with a bluish metallic reflection. Mandible, flagellum and leg reddish brown.

Paratype: TL 7.3 - 8.7, HL 1.50 - 1.80, HW 1.03 - 1.30, CI 67 - 75, SL 1.67 - 1.93, SI 141 - 166, ML 0.80 - 1.07, ED 0.27 - 0.40, PW 0.87 - 1.03, MSL 2.47 - 2.93, PL 0.67 - 0.73, PH 0.80 - 0.90, DPW 0.50 - 0.60, LPI 114 - 135, DPI 73 - 86 (13 individuals measured). With similar morphological characters as holotype, but paratype workers from Caiyanghe are relatively smaller, dorsum of head with very sparse tiny superficial piliferous punctures, metapleuron with more transverse striations.

Type Material
Holotype worker: China, Yunnan Province, Jingdong County, Wenlong Town, Yichang Village, 24° 38.656' N, 100°43.902' E, 1950 m, foraging on the ground in mixed conifer-broadleaf forest, 11.XI.2001, Zheng-Qiang Tong leg., No. A4575. Paratypes: 1 worker, with same data as holotype; 3 workers, with same data as holotype, but Xiao-Hong Ou leg., No. A4576; 9 workers, China, Yunnan Province, Simao District, Yixiang Town, Caiyanghe, 22° 35.868' N, 101° 06.549' E, 1600 m, nest in soil in monsoon evergreen broadleaf forest, 27.III.2008, Yan Duan leg., No. A08-82.

The type specimens are deposited in the Insect Collection, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. Two paratypes are deposited in the Insect Collection, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China.

Etymology
The specific epithet refers to “Sunzi” (Wu Sun, 535 B.C. - ?), a famous ancient Chinese strategist.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Xu Z. H., and Q. J. He. 2015. Taxonomic review of the ponerine ant genus Leptogenys ROGER, 1861 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with a key to the Oriental species. Myrmecological News 21: 137-161.