Leptogenys glabra

Identification
Key to Leptogenys of the New World

Lattke (2011) - Median clypeal lobe, laterally lamellate with median denticle, no apical seta; width of second funicular segment less than a third of its length; mesonotum 3 × wider than long in dorsal view; mesometapleural suture fine, smooth, not scrobiculate; propodeal declivity mostly smooth with 3 – 5 transverse striae between lobes.

A member of the pusilla species group. Several other sympatric Leptogenys could be confused with this species, such a Leptogenys gorgona, which is smaller and has a more elongate cephalic capsule: likewise Leptogenys quadrata has a more elongate cephalic capsule, but its eyes are located more towards the cephalic mid-length than in L. glabra. The mandibles in both specimens are not totally closed but the little overlap between the two mandibles, when compared with other species of the pusilla group, suggest the mandibles can be totally closed in this species.

Distribution
This taxon is known from southwestern Colombia.

Castes
Queen, male. Unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  glabra. Leptogenys glabra Lattke, 2011: 191, fig. 44 (w.) COLOMBIA.

Worker
Metrics, holotype (paratype): HL 0.67 (0.70); HW 0.70 (0.70); ML 0.50 (0.48); EL 0.15 (0.15); SL 0.67 (0.67); PW 0.60 (0.60); WL 1.45 (1.49); PH 0.53 (0.53); PL 0.52 (0.55); DPW 0.37 (0.37) mm. CI 1.05 (1.00); MI 0.71 (0.69); OI 0.21 (0.21); SI 0.95 (0.95); LPI 1.03 (0.97); DPI 0.71 (0.67).

Head subquadrate in full-face view; lateral margin broadly convex; posterior cephalic margin weakly concave, almost straight; median clypeal lobe triangular, laterally lamellate, apex angular with median denticle, no apical seta; lateral lobe narrow, widest towards median lobe, forming rounded angle; eye weakly convex in cephalic full-face view; eye elongate, length not more than 7 ommatidia, width 4–5 ommatidia. Head widest posterior to compound eyes. Scape smooth and shining with abundant piligerous punctulae, surpassing posterior cephalic border by more than one-fourth its length; funicular segments elongate; lengths of antennal segments II–IV more than twice respective lengths. Mandible elongate, internal and external margins parallel; basal margin broadly sinuate, row of 2 – 3 stiff hairs present on basal convexity; masticatory margin short with blunt apical tooth; mandibular dorsum mostly smooth and shining with scattered punctulae. Cephalic dorsum mostly smooth and shining with piligerous punctulae; clypeus with weak striae mesad, laterally smooth.

Dorsal mesosomal margin mostly continuous in lateral view, pronotal dorsal margin broadly convex, metanotal groove weakly impressed, dorsal propodeal margin broadly convex, forming obtuse angle with straight declivitous margin. Declivitous margin jagged at base of tooth, propodeal tooth shaped as low swelling on dorsal margin of bulla. Mesosoma mostly smooth and shining with sparse piligerous punctulae, mesometapleural suture distinctly impressed, mostly fine and smooth, scrobiculate posteroventrad; mesopleuron with small rugulose area posteroventrad, mesopleural carina well developed, widest anterad; metapleural-propodeal suture absent; propodeal spiracle round with opening directed laterally, weakly oblique; propodeal declivity mostly smooth with 3 – 5 transverse striae between lobes. Prosternum smooth and shining; mesonotum 3 × wider than long in dorsal view, metanotal groove smooth.

Petiole node subrectangular in lateral view; anterior margin weakly convex, height less than half height of mostly straight posterior margin, dorsal margin mostly broadly convex, dorsal margin posteriorly convex, node highest posterad; node mostly smooth and shining. Subpetiolar process subtriangular in lateral view, with long anteroventral margin. Node subrectangular, elongate in dorsal view, wider posterad than anterad; anterior margin broadly convex, over half the width of posterior margin; posterior margin straight, lateral margins straight to slightly concave. Transverse section of node at mid-length roughly V-shaped with straight lateral margins. Anterior postpetiolar margin broadly convex in lateral view, dorsal margin convex; constriction between abdominal segments III–IV broad; gaster mostly smooth and shining with scattered piligerous punctulae. Body mostly dark brown; mandibles, clypeus, legs, antennae, and gastral apex light brown. Body with scattered erect and semi-erect hairs, appressed pilosity wanting. Coxae mostly smooth and shining; metacoxal dorsum with posterior rounded crest basad; pro- and metatibial apices lacking setae, mesotibial apex with seta.

Type Material
Holotype worker. Colombia, Valle, Bajo Calima, 120 m, [no date], RA 182, R. Aldana leg. One worker deposited in. – Paratype. One callow worker with same data as holotype. Deposited in IAvH.

Etymology
The species name is derived from the Latin for smooth and glossy, glabra, and alludes to the polished and mostly denudate exoskeleton of this species.