Leptogenys anjara

Its known distribution is limited to a single collection from a locality in the montane rainforest of the RS Anjanaharibe-Sud. Pitfall traps were used to capture the lone specimen. Its exceptionally close resemblance to other two species (Leptogenys fiandry and Leptogenys alamando) suggests that it may be a cryptic species whose workers forage underground and rarely hunt on the forest floor.

Identification
Rakotonirina and Fisher (2014) - Worker. Eye small, maximum width less than maximum diameter of antennal scape; body smooth and glossy; mandibular blades smooth and shining; masticatory margin with two teeth, one apical and second preapical; mesopleuron and lower half of sides of propodeum with dense and fine microrugulation; petiolar node longer than high in profile; propodeum unarmed; dorsum of body with slender erect hairs.

Leptogenys anjara can be distinguished from Leptogenys alamando by the presence of two teeth on mandibular masticatory margin and the complex subpetiolar process. The latter species has three mandibular teeth and simple subpetiolar process. Leptogenys anjara is separable from Leptogenys fiandry by its larger size and the remarkable length of its petiolar node (DNI: 70).

Key to Malagasy Leptogenys

Distribution
Known only from the type locality.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  anjara. Leptogenys anjara Rakotonirina & Fisher, 2014: 69, figs. 7C, 8B, 9B, 86, 91 (w.) MADAGASCAR.

Worker
(1 specimen). HW: 0.83, HL: 1.24, CI: 67, SL: 1.13, SI: 137, PW: 0.70, WL: 1.91, PNH: 0.58, PNL: 0.66, PNW: 0.46, DNI: 70, LNI: 88.

Head long, slightly diverging anteriorly. Eye small, maximum width less than maximum diameter of antennal scape. Anterior clypeal margin projecting into prominent median lobe. Mandible short and capable of closing tightly against clypeus; apical and preapical teeth present on apical portion. Antennal scape feebly extending beyond posterior margin of head. Metanotal groove visible but not transversely striate. Propodeal lobe indistinct. In lateral view, petiolar node distinctly longer than high; anterior face shorter than the posterior, causing node to incline anteriorly. Subpetiolar process composed of an anterior tooth followed by a posterior lobe with an indentation between them. Prora shaped as sharp, ventrally directed lobe at anteroventral angle of third abdominal segment. Mandible smooth and shiny, with sparse piliferous pits. Dorsum of head, mesosoma and petiolar node smooth and shining apart from very small punctures from which hairs arise. Mesopleuron and lower half of lateral surface of propodeum covered with fine reticulo-rugulation. Erect long and suberect short hairs present on antennal scape and dorsum of body. Body dark-brown in color, with glossy reflection, appendages and tip of gaster lighter coloration.

Type Material
Holotype worker: Madagascar, Antsiranana, Réserve Anjanaharibe-Sud, 11.0 km WSW Befingotra, -12.75, 49.45, 1565 m, montane rainforest, 16–20 Nov 1994 (B.L. Fisher) collection code BLF01234, specimen code CASENT0175331.