Leptogenys bezanozano

Leptogenys bezanozano occurs in the high mountains of central-eastern Madagascar. It was found nesting in a rotten log in the rainforest of Mantadia and foraging in leaf litter in the montane rainforest of Torotorofotsy.

Identification
A member of the toeraniva species group. Rakotonirina and Fisher (2014) - Worker. Mandible capable of closing tightly against clypeus; eye small, maximum diameter less than greatest width of scape; in full face view, head rectangular; antennal scape with erect hairs longer than maximum width of scape; in profile, anterior face of petiolar node higher than posterior face and helcium located roughly near mid-height of anterior margin of third abdominal segment. Prora lobe-like and anteroventral section of third abdominal sternite rounded; strong indentation exists between prora and anteroventral angle.

The species in the toeraniva group look similar to each other, but L. bezanozano differs from Leptogenys avaratra by its elongate head and the large indentation between the prora and the anteroventral angle of the third abdominal sternite. Leptogenys avo and Leptogenys toeraniva have much shorter hairs on the antennal scape, transversely striate propodeal declivity, and a not sloping dorsal margin of the petiolar node.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  bezanozano. Leptogenys bezanozano Rakotonirina & Fisher, 2014: 135, figs. 2A, 4A, 4B, 152, 157 (w.) MADAGASCAR.

Worker
(3 specimens). HW: 0.81–0.86, HL: 1.09–1.15, CI: 74–75, SL: 1.06–1.16, SI: 130–134, PW: 0.69–0.74, WL: 1.72–1.84, PNH: 0.53–0.60, PNL: 0.66–0.78, PNW: 0.60–0.67, DNI: 86–91, LNI: 77–84.

Head rectangular, sides approximately parallel to each other posteriorly and slightly diverging from level of eye to clypeus. Eye small, maximum diameter less than widest portion of scape. Lateral margin of clypeus convex and anteromedian lobe generally triangular, both separated by impression or notch. Mandible short, blades increasing in width towards their apices and capable of closing tightly against median lobe of clypeus. Scape relatively long, about one third of its length surpassing posterior margin of head; with long, erect hairs roughly equal in length to maximum width of scape. In dorsal view, metanotal groove impressed, with transverse striation. With petiole in dorsal view, node markedly longer than broad. In profile, node broader than high with straight dorsal margin and lower posterior face so that node inclined posteriorly. When viewed from side, helcium located roughly close to mid-height of anterior face of third abdominal segment; anteroventral section distinctly rounded and separated from prora by strong emargination. Without constriction between third and fourth abdominal segments. In full-face view, anterior portion of head in front of level of eye rugulose and mostly smooth and shiny apart from piligerous punctures behind the level of eyes to posterior cephalic margin. In dorsal view, pronotum sparsely, shallowly punctate; rest of mesosomal dorsum, petiolar node and third abdominal tergite punctate. Mesopleuron, lateral portion of propodeum and anterior half of third abdominal segment rugulose; sides of petiolar node densely punctate. Color reddish brown, with yellowish-orange appendages.

Type Material
Holotype worker: Province Toamasina, P .N. Mantadia, -18.7917, 48.4267, 1070 m, rainforest, ex rotten log, 25 Nov–1 Dec 1998 (H.J. Ratsirarson), collection code: HJR010, specimen code: CASENT0175420. Paratype worker: with same data as holotype but specimen coded as: CASENT0196894 (CASC).