Leptogenys panops

Identification
Key to Leptogenys of the New World

Lattke (2011) - Mandible slender and elongate, slightly arched, almost as long head; eye dorsolaterally placed on head, large and prominent; median clypeal lobe shaped as blunt triangle with 3 straight median setae on apex, and two curved lateral setae; mesosoma, including propodeal dorsum mostly smooth and shining, petiolar node triangular in lateral view, mostly smooth and shining.

This is a very spectacular species within the genus on account of its relatively large size, blue iridescence, and the strikingly large eyes that tend to face forward on the head. This large species could be taken for Leptogenys famelica at first sight but the triangular mandibles besides the sculpted head and propodeum of L. famelica quickly separate the two. It shares a number of characters (presence of clypeal setae, mandibular shape, well-developed hypostomal tooth, head shape, large anteroventral eyes, weak gastral constriction, amongst others) with unistimulosa group species that suggest a close relation, but L. panops is different in the presence of a foretibial seta (unique amongst New World species for this character), no point on the node apex, and the general smooth and shining sculpture. The phylogenetic analysis suggests this species may be the sister taxon to the unistimulosa and arcuata groups.

Distribution
This taxon is known from French Guiana.

Castes
Queen, male. Unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  panops. Leptogenys panops Lattke, 2011: 231, fig. 85 (w.) FRENCH GUIANA.

Worker
Metrics, holotype: HL 2.05; HW 1.6; ML 1.45; EL 0.55; SL 3.45; PW 1.30; WL 4.20; PH 1.20; PL 1.15; DPW 0.70 mm. CI 0.78; MI 0.91; OI 0.34; SI 2.16; LPI 1.04; DPI 0.61.

Head in full-face view elongate, wider anterad than posterad, posterior margin broadly convex, almost straight; formed by vertexal carina; lateral margins broadly convex. Compound eye dorsolaterally placed, center of eye situated anterad of lateral cephalic margin mid-length; large and convex, diameter less than one-fourth length of lateral cephalic margin, anterolateral clypeal margin evenly converging medially, bending at rounded angle next to clypeal lobe. Median clypeal lobe shaped as blunt triangle with 3 straight median setae on apex, and two curved lateral setae. Cephalic dorsum mostly smooth and shining with sparse punctulae, ventral side with sparse punctae; clypeus with oblique to transverse striae. Scape surpasses posterior cephalic border by half its length, mostly smooth with decumbent pilosity and decumbent hairs; third antennal segment as long as fourth and fifth segments combined, second segment less than half length of third segment. Mandible elongate and slender, slightly arched, mostly parallel-sided, slightly widening apicad, masticatory margin edentate except for single pre-apical denticle; mandibular dorsum smooth with sparse punctae; lateral sulcus present. PF: 4,4.

Mesosoma with promesonotal margin forming single convexity in lateral view; metanotal groove broad and shallow; propodeal dorsal margin very broadly convex, declivity convex with transverse carinae declivity forming jagged margin in lateral view. Lateral mesosoma mostly smooth and shining; mesometapleural suture well impressed, ventrally scrobiculate; mesopleuron meets mesosternum through rounded margin, anteroventral katepisternum with brief transverse crest; mesonotum extends partly laterad; anepisternum extends partly dorsally. Metapleural propodeal suture mostly effaced, traces discernible in vicinity of spiracle; propodeal spiracle elongate, slit-like, opening faces posterolaterally. Propodeal declivity with anterior transverse crest at spiracular height; smaller crests present anterad of main crest; posterad with smooth concavity surrounding petiolar insertion. Mesonotum longer than wide in dorsal view.

Petiole triangular in lateral view, anterior face longer than posterior face, apex blunt; anterior and posterior margins both broadly convex; node smooth and shining with piligerous punctae; posterior face slightly convex, without punctae; pygidium with longitudinal crest. Node elongate in dorsal view with anterior margin not more than half the width of posterior margin; cross-section of node at mid-length convex. Procoxa laterally smooth and shining; protibia with short pre-apical seta on external side between apex and insertion of strigil; apex of fourth protarsal segment with two pairs of setae; mesotibial apex with two setae on opposing sides; metatibial apex with single seta. Head, mesosoma, and node black with blue iridescence; gaster dark brown; mandibles, antennae, and legs dark brown; body lacks pubescence, sparse standing hairs present.

Type Material
Holotype worker. French Guiana, Petit Saut, v.1997, Cyril. Deposited in, Ref. no. 1212. The type locality is located at 5°21′N 41°00′W.

Etymology
The species name is Greek for “large-eyed” and alludes to its prominent and large compound eyes.