Leptogenys andritantely

Leptogenys andritantely is restricted to forest habitat in Andriantantely at 530 m. It has been collected only once, a single worker from a rotten log.

Identification
A member of the saussurei species group. Rakotonirina and Fisher (2014) - Worker. Anterior clypeal margin medially projecting into broad triangular lobe; clypeus bordered with semi-translucent lamella. Mandible short and robust, capable of closing tightly against clypeus; longitudinally striate; apical margin of mandible with one apical tooth and one preapical tooth. Eye large, maximum diameter larger than maximum width of antennal scape. Dorsum of head costulate and dorsum of pronotum and mesonotum transversely rugulose. In dorsal view, metanotal groove absent, posterior margin of petiolar node medially excised; larger species (HW: 1.77, HL: 2.29, PW: 1.45).

This species can be confused with Leptogenys vatovavy, but the apical margin of the mandibles of the latter is armed with three teeth. Leptogenys ralipra looks similar to L. andritantely with respect to the number of teeth on the mandibles, but the former is smaller in size (HW: 0.98–1.04, PW: 0.86–0.94), has a densely punctulate to punctate head, a bidentate anteromedian clypeal margin; its mandible is smooth and shiny between scattered punctures, the dorsum of pronotum and mesonotum is punctate. Leptogenys andritantely is easily distinguished from the rest of members of the saussurei group by the costulate sculpture on the sides of the head and the transverse rugulae on the pronotal and mesonotal dorsum.

Key to Malagasy Leptogenys

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  andritantely. Leptogenys andritantely Rakotonirina & Fisher, 2014: 120, figs. 37A, 39A, 138, 145 (w.) MADAGASCAR.

Worker
(1 specimen). HW: 1.77, HL: 2.29, CI: 77, SL: 2.26, SI: 128, PW: 1.45, WL: 3.57, PNH: 1.42, PNL: 1.09, PNW: 1.19, DNI: 109, LNI: 130.

Head widest immediately behind level of eyes; sides generally parallel to each other in front of eye and broadly convex posteriorly, rounding to posterior margin. Medial clypeal lobe triangularly broad, without a pair of denticles or tubercles on its apex, lateral margin bordered with undulating, semi-translucent lamella. Inner margin of mandible convex, bordered with lamellate membrane that forms one preapical tooth before reaching the sharp apical one. With mesosoma in profile, mesopleural sulcus distinct. In dorsal view, metanotal groove indistinct. With petiole in dorsal view, posterior margin of node medially excised; in lateral view, posterolateral margin strongly inclined posteriorly, blunt angle present at middle height. Clypeus finely rugulose; mandible longitudinally striate. Head laterally costulate, dorsum coarsely rugose, with shallow punctures. With mesosoma in dorsal view, pronotum and mesonotum transversely rugulose, superimposed with superficial punctures. Propodeal and petiolar dorsum generally smooth apart from widely spaced punctulae; lower half of their sides smooth, upper half faintly rugose and shallowly punctate. Propodeal declivity transversely rugulose or striate near dorsal margin and at level of propodeal lobe and smooth in-between. Gaster normally smooth and shining.

Type Material
Holotype worker: Province Toamasina, FC Andriantantely, -18.695, 48.8333, 530 m, rainforest, ex rotten log, 4–10 Dec. 1998 (H.J. Ratsirarson) collection code: HJR065, specimen code: CASENT0175412.