Leptogenys honduriana

Identification
Key to Leptogenys of the New World

Lattke (2011) - A member of the elongata species group. Head, mesosoma and petiole finely rugulose-punctate, opaque; node in lateral view with the anterior and dorsal margins forming a continuous convexity; third antennal segment almost as long as the combined lengths of segments four and five; mandible triangular, masticatory border sinuate and long, about as long as internal border, with weak concavity after basal angle followed by weak convexity, and then weak pre-apical concavity before apical tooth; median clypeal lobe broad, ending in blunt angle.

The only other Leptogenys species that resembles L. honduriana is Leptogenys oaxaca, but the extraordinary mandibular shape of L. oaxaca is more than enough to distinguish between the two species.

Distribution
This taxon was described from Honduras. It is known from Honduras.

Castes
Queen, male. Unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  honduriana. Leptogenys (Lobopelta) honduriana Mann, 1922: 13, fig. 7 (w.) HONDURAS. See also: Lattke, 2011: 160.

Worker
Lattke (2011) - Metrics, syntypes (n = 5): HL 1.90-2.05; HW 1.50-1.65; ML 1.1-1.35; EL 0.35-0.45; SL 2.15-2.4; PW 1.05-1.2; WL 3.1-3.3; PH 1.05-1.15; PL 0.9-1.15; DPW 0.65-0.8 mm. CI 0.78-0.83; MI 0.73-0.82; OI 0.23-0.28; SI 1.41-1.55; LPI 1.00-1.17; DPI 0.65-0.89.

Head with subparallel lateral margins in full-face view; posterior margin convex, lateral margin weakly convex, both margins joined by continuous curve without sharp curvatures or angles. Median clypeal process triangular, broad, apex bluntly pointed; lateral lobe narrow, extends half-way from mandibular insertion to apex of median lobe; median clypeal lobe with lateral translucent lamella. Eye dorso-laterally placed, not touching lateral cephalic margin in cephalic full-face view, slightly closer to median cephalic length than to mandibular insertion, diameter close to one-third length of lateral cephalic margin. Scape surpasses posterior cephalic border by more than one-third its length; third antennal segment almost 2 x length of second, approximately as long as combined lengths of segments four and five. Head finely rugulose-punctate; clypeus with longitudinal striae; basal margin of mandible shuts tight against clypeus, mandible triangular with sinuate and long masticatory border, about as long as basal border, with weak concavity after basal angle followed by weak convexity, and then weak pre-apical concavity before apical tooth; anterior margin of mandibular masticatory margin convex in lateral view; mandibular dorsum with scattered piligerous punctae and fine, longitudinal strigulae. Posterior labium smooth and shining, maxilla with curved carinae; sculpture on ventral cephalic surface weaker than dorsal surface, fine rugulae with smooth-bottomed piligerous punctae.

Mesosoma with dorsal margin divided by deeply impressed metanotal groove in lateral view, promesonotal dorsal margin convex; propodeal dorsal margin broadly convex, more than twice as long as declivity; short triangular propodeal denticle projects posterad at spiracular height, spiracle spherical to oval, followed posterad by short sulcus to bulla. Meso-metapleural suture distinctly cleft, lateral propodeal and metapleural surfaces forming convexity; metapleural-propodeal suture obliterated, ill-defined at best; propodeal declivity with transverse strigae dorsal, posterad smooth and shining. Mesonotum about as long as wide in dorsal view, anterior margin convex, posterior margin transverse, metanotal groove smooth. Mesosomal dorsum finely rugulose-punctate. Propleuron with oblique, parallel strigae; mesopleuron transversely rugulose, sculpture denser anterad than posterad; mesosternum flat, with weak transverse strigulae, mesopleural carina fine. Anterior mesosternal lobe low, height less than one-fourth mesocoxal height; metasternal carina narrow, weakly convex internally.

Anterior and dorsal petiolar margins form continuous convexity in lateral view; posterior margin straight, inclined; node mostly rugulose-punctulae, sculpturing weaker ventrad; ventral process subquadrate in lateral view. Node in dorsal view longer than wide, anterior margin convex and less than half the posterior width; posterior node face flat, with low transverse strigulae. Gaster smooth and shining with abundant piligerous punctulae. Stridulitrum visible on pretergite of abdominal segment IV. Body with abundant appressed pilosity and standing hairs; scape with appressed pilosity, and sparse decumbent hairs. Head, mesosoma, and node dark brown to black, gaster black to dark brown, apex ferruginous brown; mandible, clypeus, antennae, and legs dark brown. Some parts of coxae and gaster may have discrete blue iridescence.

Type Material
Syntype workers: Honduras, Lombardia ii. – iii.1922, Cat. No. 24441 (W.M. Mann) [examined].

Additional References

 * Lattke, J.E. 2011. Revision of the New World species of the genus Leptogenys Roger (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae). Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny 69:127-264.