Leptogenys schwabi

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: South Africa, Zimbabwe.

Biology
Davies et al. 1994 - Colonies of L. schwabi were found in mixed mistbelt bush, mixed closed riverine bush, and fig forest composed chiefly of Acacia xanthophloea and Ficus sycomorus. Nests were located on or near the ground, in soft, alluvial soils, in shallow, rocky, dry soils, or in rotting wood. The nests in alluvial soil were less than 30 cm deep, with no obvious passages or chambers, while those in dry, rocky soils included chambers beneath stones, connected by obvious passages, and galleries extending to a depth of 45 cm. Colony size ranged from 32 to 338 individuals. The production of male pupae began in late September (Table 2), and adult males eclosed in captive colonies in early October. Several parties of 4-6 workers each were found and followed back to their nests. The ants followed one another in loose formation with frequent leader changes. Individuals often wandered as much as a meter from the group, so that the formation broke down, usually without encountering prey. Foragers preyed largely on isopods (Philoscia sp.) and termites (Odontotermes latericius), but also collected unidentified amphipods. Termites predominated during September and October, when the first rains fell and the foraging activity of termites increased. On only one occasion in 200 hr of observation was another taxon brought to the nest: a spider which was later discarded. The entrances of natural nests were surrounded by the skeletons of amphipods and isopods.

Unlike the monogynous colonies (one ergatoid queen) in the vast majority of Leptogenys species, L. schwabi colonies are polygynous with gamergates. Seven workers out of 260 from colony 1 and six out of 146 from colony 2 were mated, and all of these had active ovaries containing oocytes and corpora lutea ("yellow bodies"). Virgin laying workers were few unless gamergates were experimentally removed from the colony, indicating that their reproductive physiology is regulated by the gamergates. No physical interactions or oophagy were seen, implicating a pheromonal mechanism of regulation.

Castes
Winged queens are unknown

Nomenclature

 *  schwabi. Leptogenys schwabi Forel, 1913j: 208 (w.) ZIMBABWE. Subspecies of stuhlmanni: Prins, 1965a: 153. Revived status as species: Bolton, 1975a: 259.