Leptogenys iheringi

Identification
Lattke (2011) - Eye slightly convex, closer to cephalic capsule mid-length than to mandibles, diameter more than one-fourth length of lateral cephalic margin. Scape surpasses posterior cephalic border by more than twice its apical width. Petiole with highest point posterad in lateral view; anterior margin inclined and broadly curved, about half of height, then bends at obtuse angle and forms single curved anterodorsal margin more convex towards apex.

Forel (1911) claims that L. iheringi can be separated from Leptogenys crudelis by its unarmed propodeum, but the propodeum of all L. iheringi specimens examined have well-defined lobes, including the type specimens. This species can be confused with L. crudelis but the petiole in L. iheringi has a continuously curved anterodorsal margin in lateral view as compared with the vertical anterior margin and convex dorsal margin of the node in L. crudelis. Additional characters for separating these two species can be consulted in the comments for L. crudelis. The eyes are dorsolaterally situated on the head but with a lateral trend. A series of workers in the MZSP from Ipiranga in São Paulo key to L. iheringi and are quite similar in most aspects except for a more robust petiolar node and a weakly convex propodeal margin in lateral view.

A member of the crudelis species group.

Distribution
This taxon was described from Brazil. It is known from southeastern Brazil.

Castes
Male unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  iheringi. Leptogenys (Lobopelta) iheringi Forel, 1911c: 286 (w.q.) BRAZIL. Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1971b: 1212 (l.). See also: Lattke, 2011: 153.

Worker
Lattke (2011) - Metrics (n = 2): HL 1.14-1.27; HW 0.71-0.76; ML 0.53-0.56; EL 0.20-0.28; SL 1.14-1.32; PW 0.63-0.71; WL 1.75-1.92; PH 0.61-0.73; PL 0.71-0.78; DPW 0.38-0.43 mm. CI 0.60-0.62; MI 0.73-0.75; OI 0.29-0.37; SI 1.61-1.73; LPI 0.86-0.94; DPI 0.54-0.55.

Head in full-face view elongate, sides sub-parallel, lateral margin broadly convex; slightly diverging anterad; posterior margin convex, slightly flattened medially; median clypeal lobe triangular relatively narrow with acute apex, uniformly tapering; cephalic dorsum mostly smooth and shining with scattered punctulae; eye slightly convex, closer to cephalic capsule mid-length than to mandible, laterally situated on head, diameter more than one-fourth lateral cephalic margin. Mandible shuts tight against clypeus; masticatory border edentate, sometimes with small denticle at basal angle; mandible mostly of uniform width, ending in apical tooth; dorsal surface smooth and shining. Scape smooth, with abundant inclined pilosity; surpassing posterior cephalic border by more than twice its apical width; frontal lobe covers only half condyle; third funicular segment at least twice as long as first; third segment about two-thirds as long as third; funicular segments cylindrical, separated by weak constriction.

Mesosoma with deep and broad metanotal groove in lateral view, separating convexities formed by promesonotum and propodeum. Curvature of propodeum stronger towards declivity, interrupted by blunt triangular tooth, tooth appears jagged because of transverse striae, mesosomal sides mostly smooth and shining; mesometapleural suture broad, well impressed, scrobiculate; surrounding metanotal spiracle. Dorsum of mesonotum smooth and shining, wider than long, anterior margin convex, posterior margin transverse; declivity with transverse strigulae. Mesonotum broader than long (L/W = 0.60), anterior margin convex, posterior margin straight in dorsal view. Anteroventral carina of mesopleuron mostly effaced to weakly developed, projecting slightly anterodorsad as blunt tooth. Mesopleuron with few rugulae ventrally and rugulae around bulla; propodeal spiracle elongate.

Petiole with highest point posterad in lateral view; anterior margin inclined and broadly convex to midheight, then bending at obtuse angle and forming single curved anterodorsal margin more convex towards apex; posterior margin broadly convex. Subpetiolar process brief, with anterior and posterior angles, posterior corner more ventrally projecting. Node, gaster smooth and shining; constriction between abdominal segments III and IV well marked. Node in dorsal view longer than wide; anterior face of node less than half the width of the posterior face; sides slightly concave; lateral faces more or less flat; procoxa in lateral view smooth and shining. Body color dark brown; legs, mandibles, and antenna slightly clearer.

Queen
Lattke (2011) - Metrics: HL 1.39; HW 0.85; ML 0.61; SL 1.24; ED 0.25 WL 1.98. CI 0.61; MI 0.72; SI 1.46; OI 0.29. Mesosoma with more convex propodeum in lateral view; propodeal tooth not projecting, appearing as continuation of declivity with posterior overhang. Mesopleuron with anepisternum differentiated, more convex than rest of sclerite; propodeal spiracle round. Node in dorsal view about as long as wide; triangular shaped with round anterior apex, posterior margin broadly convex. Node with length more or less equal to height in lateral view; anterior and posterior margins vertical, dorsal margin convex.

Type Material
Syntype workers: Brazil, São Paulo, Raiz da Serra, 25.xi.1907 (v. Ihering) [examined].

Workers from the type series in Geneva are two on the same pin with a fully pigmented adult on top and a teneral below. A queen is mounted on a separate pin with the same data as the workers. There are 3 specimens in that also belong to the type series, with one bearing a cotypus label.

Additional 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.