Leptogenys fiandry

Specimens of L. fiandry have been sampled using the sifted litter method and pitfall traps. They are quite common in their habitats and have been found foraging on the ground, nesting under rocks and rootmat layers, and in rotten logs and sticks on the forest floor.

Identification
A member of the fiandry species group. Rakotonirina and Fisher (2014) - Worker. Eye small, maximum width less than maximum diameter of antennal scape; body smooth and shining; mandible smooth and shining; masticatory margin with two teeth, one apical and the second preapical; mesopleuron and lower half of sides of propodeum densely and finely reticulate-rugulose; node approximately as high as long in profile; posterior margin of propodeum with distinct toothlike lobe; dorsum of body with slender erect hairs.

Workers of Leptogenys fiandry are similar to those of Leptogenys alamando but are easily separable by the presence of two teeth on the apical portion of its mandible and its complex subpetiolar process, which consists of one anterior tooth and a second posterior lobe. Leptogenys alamando’s mandibular masticatory margin is armed with three teeth, and its subpetiolar process lacks the second posterior lobe.

Key to Malagasy Leptogenys

Distribution
Leptogenys fiandry is widely distributed across different habitats in the northern half of Madagascar. These range from dry forest, particularly in Tsingy, to transitional humid and littoral forests, as well as montane rainforest. Comoros Island is also known to harbor the species.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  fiandry. Leptogenys fiandry Rakotonirina & Fisher, 2014: 70, figs. 7B, 9A, 87, 92 (w.q.) MADAGASCAR.

Worker
(16 specimens). HW: 0.60–0.69, HL: 0.74–0.99, CI: 66–85, SL: 0.65–0.86, SI: 109–131, PW: 0.47–0.59, WL: 1.23–1.48, PNH: 0.38–0.50, PNL: 0.42–0.50, PNW: 0.36–0.44, DNI: 81–91, LNI: 90–106.

Head elongate and very slightly diverging anteriorly, lateral borders nearly parallel to each other. Eye small, maximum width less than greatest width of antennal scape. Anteromedian clypeal margin projecting into triangular lobe. Mandible short and armed with two teeth, apical and preapical; blades widest at insertion of preapical tooth. Antennal scape short, feebly extending beyond posterior cephalic margin. In lateral view, posterior margin of propodeum with small toothlike lobe. In profile, petiolar node roughly as high as long; subpetiolar process consisting of anteroventral tooth followed by an indentation and then a posterior lobe. At anteroventral angle of third abdominal segment, prora projecting into sharp, ventrally directed lobe. Mandible smooth and shiny with scattered punctures. Dorsum of head, mesosoma and petiolar node smooth and shining besides very small piligerous pits. Anterior half of mesopleuron and propodeum generally finely reticulate in profile, sometimes mesopleural suture surrounded by fine reticulation. Sparse long hairs and short erect hairs present on scape and dorsum of body. Body color blackish dark-brown to brown with lighter appendages and apex of gaster.

Queen
(3 specimens). HW: 0.68–0.74, HL: 0.94–0.99, CI: 72–74, SL: 0.72–0.79, SI: 106–114, PW: 0.57–0.62, WL: 1.33–1.39, PNH: 0.47–0.49, PNL: 0.33–0.38, PNW: 0.46–0.47, DNI: 123–139, LNI: 124–148. Ergatoid queens look very similar to workers, but differ in the following characters: ergatoids have a broader and more ovoid head, shorter and robust mesosoma with decreased development of thoracic sclerites, shorter petiolar node, and enlarged gaster. With gaster in profile, helcium slightly higher on anterior margin of third abdominal segment. Hairs on dorsum of body more abundant and somewhat long and more slender.

Type Material
Holotype worker: Madagascar, Antsiranana, Forêt d' Antsahabe, 11.4 km 275° W Daraina, -13.2117, 49.5567, 550 m, tropical dry forest, ex rotten log, 14 Dec 2003 (B.L. Fisher et al.) collection code: BLF10234, specimen code: CASENT0247245. Paratypes: series of 7 worker specimens, same data as holotype but with the following specimen codes: CASENT0076745, CASENT0076746, CASENT0076747, CASENT0247243, CASENT0247244, CASENT0247246, CASENT0196531 (CASC,, , ).