Leptogenys bhartii

The specimens of this species were handpicked by dislodging a stone in a pine forest area from Thanamandi region of Rajouri district, located on the southerly foothills of the Pir Panjal Himalaya in the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir. The region represents a transition zone between the subtropical Jammu and the temperate Kashmir provinces. The climate is broadly subtropical, although the foothill areas along the Pir Panjal range show dry temperate conditions, while subalpine and alpine conditions prevail higher up in the mountains. The vegetation mainly consists of Chir-pine (Pinus roxburghii) forests, broad-leaved deciduous forests, broad-leaved evergreen forests and scrub forests, interspersed with frequent grassland patches and agricultural croplands.

Identification
A member of the chinensis species group.

Wachkoo et al. (2018) - The Leptogenys chinensis group is represented by eight valid species from the Oriental region (Leptogenys assamensis, Leptogenys chinensis, Leptogenys confucii, Leptogenys kraepelini, Leptogenys laeviterga, Leptogenys pangui, Leptogenys peuqueti and Leptogenys sunzii). Amongst the known species of the group, the new species resembles L. chinensis, but can be readily separated by the smooth medially converging anterolateral clypeal margins; propodeal declivity smooth and shiny, without transverse striations. Relatively narrower petiolar node in dorsal view, about twice as long as broad. Whilst in the latter, the anterior clypeal margin is distinctly laterally sinusoid; propodeal declivity transversely striate, not smooth and relatively broader petiolar node in dorsal view, about 1.3 times as long as broad. It also resembles L. kraepelini from which it can be distinguished by the following characters: gena smooth and shiny, without longitudinal rugae and third antennal segment slightly more than 2× the length of second segment whilst in the latter, gena are longitudinally rugulose and opaque and third antennal segment distinctly less than 2× the length of second segment.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 *  bhartii. Leptogenys bhartii Wachkoo, Maqbool, Akbar & Sharaf, 2018: 3, fig. 1 (w.) INDIA.

Worker
(Holotype in brackets): HL (1.79)-1.81, HW (0.92)-0.94, ML (0.91)-0.92, EL (0.45)-0.46, SL (2.22)-2.24, PW (1.06)-1.09, WL (3.22)-3.26, PL (1.13)-1.15, PDW (0.56)-0.58, PH (0.85)-0.87. Indices: CI (51)-52, MI 97-(98), OI (48)-49, SI 238-(241), LPI (75)-76, DPI (50)-51 (n=5).

Head trapezoidal in full-face view, lateral cephalic margin convex, posterior margin transverse; head distinctly wider anteriorly, converging posteriorly; eye large, weakly convex, placed just below the mid cephalic margin and within lateral margin; clypeus carinate with truncate apex, rugulose basally and smooth apically; anterolateral clypeal margin evenly converging medially, bending at rounded angle, with two median setae; scape surpasses posterior margin of head by about one-half its length; third antennal segment slightly more than 2× the length of second segment and about one-third longer than fourth segment; frontal groove deep, just extending to middle of eye level; mandible elongate, slender, external and basal margins parallel; basal tooth noticeable; basal sulcus distinct; masticatory margin edentate.

Mesosoma with promesonotal dorsal margin convex in lateral view; deeply impressed metanotal groove; metanotal and propodeal dorsal margin weakly convex, declivitous margin oblique; declivitous and dorsal propodeal margins meet through blunt obtuse angle in lateral view; mesometapleural suture well impressed with cross ribs; metapleural-propodeal suture barely impressed; propodeal spiracle oval, facing posterad; brief sulcus extends from spiracle to bulla. Mesonotum distinctly wider than long in dorsal view, propodeal declivitous face concave.

Petiole trapezoidal in lateral view, anterodorsal margin convex, node highest posterad with bluntly rounded apex, posterior margin leaning, with strong convexity basad; node triangular in dorsal view, much longer than broad, lateral margin weakly concave, anterior margin convex, posterior margin concave; subpetiolar process trapezoidal, angled posteriorly in lateral view. Gaster cylindrical, curved posteriorly, dorsal convex; cinctus between gastral segments prominent.

Body polished smooth and shiny with green metallic lustre, covered with sparse piligerous punctulae. Clypeus weakly rugulose posterolaterally; mandible shiny, punctate with superficial striation.

Body with abundant suberect hairs, denser on gaster, no appressed pubescence; pilosity mixed with short and long hairs.

Colour black for body, appendages brownish.

Type Material
Holotype: India; Jammu & Kashmir; Rajouri District, Thanamandi; 1600 m; 33.5379°N 74.3698°E; hand collecting; 08/11/2016; 1; worker; Aijaz A Wachkoo; Kashmir University Insect Collection, University of Kashmir, Srinagar (KUIC). Paratype: India; Jammu & Kashmir; Rajouri District, Thanamandi; 1600 m; 33.5379°N 74.3698°E; hand collecting; 08/11/2016; 4; worker; Aijaz A Wachkoo; KUIC, ,

Etymology
This species is named in honour of Dr. Himender Bharti for his outstanding contribution to the Indian ants.