Pachycondyla lenis

Nothing is known about the biology of this species.

Identification
From Mackay and Mackay (2010): Kempf (1961) compares P. lenis to Pachycondyla harpax, based on its relatively small size and the general configuration of the body. The two species are easily confused. Pachycondyla lenis can be distinguished by the presence of the medial longitudinal carina on the clypeus, by the absence of sharp margins in the form of carina on the shoulders of the pronotum, by the sculpture of the head, by the dorsum of the mesosoma, which nearly lacks the longitudinal striae and rugae and by the configuration of the petiole, which has the dorsal face less marginate and less separated from the lateral face. This species occurs in the same sites with P. harpax, which supports them being separate species.

Distribution
BRASIL (Mackay and Mackay 2010)

This taxon was described from Brazil.

Habitat
All of the specimens have been collected between 700 - 1,000 m. (Mackay and Mackay 2010)

Nomenclature

 *  lenis. Pachycondyla lenis Kempf, 1961c: 197, figs. 4, 6 (w.q.) BRAZIL. See also: Mackay & Mackay, 2010: 428.

Worker
From Mackay and Mackay (2010): (Based on Kempf, 1961): The worker is a medium sized (total length 8.7 - 10.3 mm) black ant with dark brown mandibles, antennae and legs. The mandibles have 9 teeth. The anterior border of the clypeus is uniformly convex with a medial longitudinal carina that is well developed and sharp. The sides of the head are slightly convex. The posterior lateral areas of the head are rounded and the posterior border of the head is slightly concave. The eyes are moderate in size and located approximately one diameter from the anterior margin of the head (side view). The pronotal shoulder forms a weak carina; the metanotal suture is obsolete and not depressed. The petiole is rectangular shaped when viewed in profile; the dorsal face is emarginate anteriorly and laterally. The dorsal face of the pygidium is not impressed medially, but it is smooth and shining.

The pilosity is similar to that of Pachycondyla harpax.

The mandibles are smooth and shining with sparse piligerous punctures. The frontal lobes are smooth and brilliant. The integument is subopaque punctate and reticulo-rugose with distinct longitudinal rugae or striae confined to the space between the clypeus, antennal fossa and from the compound eye to the dorsum and completely lacking on the sides of the head. The dorsum of the mesosoma is smooth and shining with more coarse and sparse punctures; and reticulated rugae are vestigial. The posterior face of the propodeum has fine transverse rugae. The sides of the mesosoma are subopaque with fine horizontal rugae. The dorsal face of the petiole is practically smooth but with sparse and fine piligerous punctures. The sides have horizontal rugae. The posterior face has fine and superficial reticulated rugae and is moderately smooth. The gaster is nearly completely smooth and shiny with very fine piligerous punctures, which become coarser on the posterior terga.

Queen
From Mackay and Mackay (2010): The female is similar to the worker, but with a total length ranging from 11.4 - 11.6 mm.

Male
Males are not known for this species.

Type Locality Information
Brasil: Rio de Janeiro: Petrópolis (Mackay and Mackay 2010)

Etymology
This species is named the Latin word lenis, meaning soft, referring to the lack of a hard integument. (Mackay and Mackay 2010)

Additional References

 * Kempf, W. 1961. As formigas do gênero Pachycondyla Fr. Smith no Brasil (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Revista Brasileira de Entomologia. 10:189-204.