Leptogenys paraensis

Identification
Key to Leptogenys of the New World

Lattke (2011) - Eyes large and bulging, occupying one-third of cephalic lateral margin; hypostomal tooth almost as long as basal mandibular width; mandible elongate slightly sinusoidal, flattened, widening apicad; head, mesosoma, and petiole black; gaster ferruginous brown; petiolar node with an acutely pointed posterior spine.

A member of the unistimulosa species group. L. paraense is very similar in appearance to Leptogenys unistimulosa, including the color pattern, but differs in the apically widening mandibles, and slightly larger average size. The striae on the posterior nodal face of L. paraense are more developed than in L. unstimulosa but the small specimen base makes this an uncertain diagnostic character.

Distribution
This taxon is known from northeastern Brazil.

Castes
Queen, male. Unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  paraense. Leptogenys paraense Lattke, 2011: 215, fig. 71 (w.) BRAZIL.

Worker
Metrics, holotype (other specimens, n = 4): HL 1.75 (1.70–1.80); HW 1.85 (1.80–1.90); ML 1.45 (1.45 – 1.55); EL 0.55 (0.50 – 0.50); SL 2.40 (2.40 – 2.45); PW 1.25 (1.20–1.25); WL 3.40 (3.35–3.45); PH 1.55 (1.55–1.60); PL 1.00 (1.00–1.00); DPW 0.70 (0.70– 0.75) mm. CI 1.06 (1.03–1.12); MI 0.78 (0.76–0.83); OI 0.30 (0.26–0.28); SI 1.30 (1.29–1.33); LPI 1.55 (1.55 – 1.60); DPI 0.70 (0.70 – 0.75).

Head in full-face view wider anterad than posterad, posterior margin convex, lateral margin broadly convex, almost straight, lateral cephalic margin interrupted by compound eye. Median clypeal lobe shaped as broad triangular lobe, 4 setae on apex; lateral clypeal lobe rounded, not wider than one-third median clypeal width, gradually narrowing laterad. Clypeus posteriorly bordered by transverse sulcus running from antennal sclerite to just below eye. Cephalic dorsum mostly rugose; head ventrad of eyes strigulose. Scape surpassing posterior cephalic border by almost one-half its length, punctulate with decumbent pilosity and decumbent hairs; second and fourth antennal segments subequal in length, each two-thirds as long as length of third antennal segment. Mandibles elongate, and slender, slightly sinusoidal and crossing only at apex; flattened and widening apicad, becoming slender close to apex, apical half convex, dorsum smooth and shining with sparse punctulae; a small pre-apical denticle present. Hypostomal tooth shaped as curved triangular lobe, almost as long as basal mandibular width. PF: 4,4.

Mesosoma with broadly convex promesonotal margin in lateral view, mesonotum can form distinct convexity, separate from broadly convex propodeal margin. Propodeal declivity curved, with 3 – 6 transverse carinae, no teeth. Lateral pronotum longitudinally strigulose, pronotal dorsum strigulose-punctuate; strigae arching around pronotum; mesonotum transversely strigose; propodeal spiracle elongate, facing posteriorly. Metapleural-propodeal suture well-defined but shallow, mesometapleural suture well marked, scrobiculate. Ridge separates mesopleuron from mesosternum; mesosternal sculpture mostly effaced. Meso-, metapleuron and lateral propodeal face with oblique strigulae, colliculate microsculpturing present especially on meso- and metapleuron. Mesosternal lobe broadly triangular, metasternal lobe with rounded external margin, basal margin straight; lobe leans medially.

Petiole with convex anterior margin, and straight ascending dorsal margin in lateral view, both margins joined by convexity. Node apex with acutely sharp point that overhangs mostly convex posterior margin in lateral view. Node with anterior margin almost as wide as posterior margin in dorsal view, node length greater than width, excluding posterior spine. Node longitudinally strigose laterally; posterior face with transverse strigae. Postpetiole with vertical anterior margin that becomes convex dorsad in lateral view, constriction not strongly marked; gaster mostly smooth and shining with sparse piligerous punctae. Head, mesosoma, and node black; antennae, mandibles, and legs brown to dark brown; gaster ferruginous brown to brown. Body with abundant standing and decumbent hairs.

Type Material
Holotype worker. Brazil, Pará, Belém, Embrapa, 10.vii.1979, Bo28, J.O. Schmidt. One worker deposited in the, the top specimen of two point-mounted workers on a single pin. – Paratypes. Three workers from the same series, also deposited in the LACM.

Etymology
The species name alludes to the Brazilian state of Pará, which contains the type locality.