Leptogenys peninsularis

This species is endemic to the Baja Peninsula (Johnson & Ward 2002). One series was found under a rock on hillside with vegetation such as Fouquieria diguetti (Tiegh.) I.M. Johnst., Jatropha cinerea (Ortega) Müll. Arg., and Lysiloma candida Brandegee (R. Johnson, label data). (Lattke 2011)

Identification
Key to Leptogenys of the New World

Lattke (2011) - A member of the elongata species group. Lateral clypeal lobe narrow, weakly concave; perimeter of compound eye abruptly separated from circumocular sulcus; head posteriorly punctate to striate; scape surpasses posterior cephalic border by approximately one-fourth its length; third antennal segment slightly 3 x longer than maximum width; hypostomal tooth not visible in full-face view of head.

L. peninsularis shares with Leptogenys sonora the lack of setae on the tibial apices and the preference for desert habitats.

Distribution
This taxon was described from Mexico. It is known from Baja Peninsula, Mexico.

Castes
Queen unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  peninsularis. Leptogenys (Lobopelta) peninsularis Mann, 1926: 102 (w.) MEXICO. Lattke, 2011: 164 (m.).

Worker
Lattke (2011) - Metrics (n = 6): HL 1.21-1.39; HW 0.86-1.01; ML 0.61-0.81; EL 0.23-0.30; SL 1.32-1.59; PW 0.76-0.83; WL 1.90-2.23; PH 0.73-0.89; PL 0.63-0.76; DPW 0.56-0.63 mm. CI 0.69-0.79; MI 0.71-0.82; OI 0.24-0.30; SI 1.37-1.62; LPI 0.00-1.25; DPI 0.82-0.92.

Head elongate in full-face view, wider anterad than posterad, posterior and lateral margins broadly convex, vertexal carinae distinctly visible along most posterior margin. Median clypeal lobe bluntly-pointed, triangular, lateral margins lamellate; lateral lobe narrow, weakly concave. Compound eye prominent, convex, diameter covers approximately one-third of lateral cephalic margin, situated close to cephalic mid-length; ocular perimeter abruptly separated from circumocular sulcus. Head posteriorly densely punctate, punctate-striate mesad, striae becoming stronger anteriorly; clypeus with oblique striae, strongest laterad. Scape surpasses posterior cephalic border by approximately one-fourth its length; punctulate, with decumbent pubescence and scattered decumbent hairs. Funicular segments elongate, subcylindrical, slightly wider apicad than basad; third antennal segment slightly 3 x longer than maximum width; second antennal segment more than half the length of third; fourth antennal segment more than half the length of third segment. Mandibles elongate, subtriangular, gradually widening apicad, basal margin weakly convex, external margin weakly sinuate, masticatory margin broadly concave, dorsum mostly smooth and shining with scattered punctae, some patches of weak striae present, especially basad; PF: 4,3. Hypostomal tooth not visible in full-face view of head.

Mesosoma with deep metanotal groove in lateral view, dividing broadly convex promesonotal margin and broadly convex propodeal margin. Pronotum laterally and dorsally rugulose to scabriculous. Prosternum transversely striate. Mesopleuron transversely striate, anteroventrally with low blunt lobe, anteroventral carinae lacking; mesosternum with weak transverse striae; metapleuron mostly with transverse striae, anteriorly rugulose, and close to propodeum obliquely striate; lateral propodeum rugulose; metapleural-propodeal suture shallow but distinct. Bulla of metathoracic spiracle convex, prominent, finely sculptured. Mesonotum broader than long in dorsal view, transversely striate, anterior margin convex, posterior margin concave. Metanotal groove smooth and shining. Dorsum of propodeum mostly rugulose to striate, sometimes with smoothened areas, declivity transversely striate. Propodeal spiracle elongate. Petiole subquadrate in lateral view with vertical anterior margin as long as or shorter than posterior margin, dorsal margin convex, highest point close to mid-length of node, posterior margin slightly inclined anterad, broadly convex. Node laterally mostly striate to rugulose, tending to smooth ventrad, posterior face mostly smooth and shining, slightly concave. Petiolar sternum weakly convex in lateral view, anterior process shaped as hooked lobe. Node approximately as long as broad in dorsal view, anterior margin more than half the width of posterior margin, anterior margin convex, posterior margin concave. Anterior margin of abdominal segment III vertical in lateral view, anterodorsal margin convex. Gaster mostly smooth and shining with scattered fine punctulae, punctulae diminishing in density posterad. Pygidial margin broadly convex in lateral view. Procoxa mostly smooth and shining with scattered shallow punctae and some weak striae basad in lateral view. Body with abundant decumbent pilosity, and erect to semi-erect hairs. Body color mostly ferruginous, with antennae, clypeus, mandibles, legs, and gastral apex slightly lighter colored than rest of body. Tibial apices lacking setae.

Male
Lattke (2011) - A single male specimen apparently belonging to this species was examined. It lacks the head. Pronotum mostly smooth with scattered shallow punctae, anepisternum mostly smooth and shining, katepisternum punctate, propodeum mostly smooth and shining with scattered punctae; mesonotum separated from posterior pronotal margin by gap. Mesosoma mostly brown, pronotum, legs, node light brown, gaster yellow.

Type Material
Lattke (2011) - Syntype workers: Mexico, Baja California Sur, Comondu, beneath stones (W.M. Mann) [examined]. The syntypes examined are 3 point-mounted workers on a single pin.

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.