Leptanilloides prometeus

Distribution
Known only from the type locality.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Ecuador.

Biology
Unknown. All the specimens were collected from a single reserve bordering the Podocarpus National Park on the eastern Andean slope of southern Ecuador. The habitat is an evergreen lower montane forest (Homeier et al. 2008) which is in nearly pristine condition. The forest harbours more than 300 tree species, with Lauraceae, Melastomataceae and Rubiaceae being the most species-rich families (Homeier et al. 2012). The mean annual temperature is c. 15 °C and mean annual precipitation is c. 2200 mm, with low seasonality (Bendix et al. 2008). Soils of the sampling area are cambisols, with a very thick (often > 50 cm) leaf litter layer (Homeier et al. 2012). Soil texture is sandy silt loam; proportion of sand, silt and clay is 41%, 52%, and 6%, respectively; mean pH = 3.2 ± 0.1 SD (n = 24 soil samples).

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  prometea. Leptanilloides prometea Delsinne & Donoso, in Delsinne, et al. 2015: 12, figs. 4A-D, 5, 6A-F, 7A-C (w.) ECUADOR.