Leptogenys lattkei

Andretta, the type locality of this species, falls within the Shivalik range of the Northwest Himalayas and is largely devoid of leaf litter. The surrounding habitat is mainly tea gardens and pine forests. The species was found at the roadside, nesting in soil on a stone embankment, and the foraging workers were collected during the evening.

Identification
Bharti & Wachkoo (2013) - This new species most resembles the Chinese Leptogenys mengzii but can be easily separated by a shorter scape, surpassing the posterior cephalic border by one-fifth of its length (one-third in L. mengzii), and a mesosoma without any rugae (cf. longitudinal rugae in L. mengzii). Among the Indian Leptogenys, it to some extent resembles Leptogenys jeanettei but can be easily distinguished by the longer-than-wide petiolar node (broader-than-long in L. jeanettei) and smooth shiny mesosomal dorsum (densely punctate in L. jeannettei).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 *  lattkei. Leptogenys lattkei Bharti & Wachkoo, 2013: 12, figs. 1-3 (w.) INDIA.

Worker
Holotype: TL 5.68; HL 1.14; HW 0.78; ML 0.55; EL 0.20; SL 1.07; PW 0.69; WL 1.80; PL 0.56; PDW 0.48; PH 0.68 mm. Indices: CI 68; MI 70; OI 26; SI 137; LPI 121; DPI 86;

Paratypes: Range of seven workers: TL 5.45-5.68; HL 1.10-1.14; HW 0.77-0.78; ML 0.54-0.55; EL 0.18-0.20; SL 1.02-1.07; PW 0.64-0.70; WL 1.77-1.80; PL 0.52-0.56; PDW 0.45-0.48; PH 0.61-0.68 mm. Indices: CI 67-71; MI 70-71; OI 23-26; SI 131-139; LPI 117-121; DPI 84-87.

Head: Head subrectangular in full-face view, somewhat wider anteriorly than posteriorly, posterior and lateral margins broadly convex; anterior clypeal margin with triangular median lobe, anterior and lateral margins lamellate, apex rounded with single median seta, strongly carinate in middle; lateral lobe narrow, convex. Compound eye weakly convex, placed laterally, anterior to cephalic mid-length. Frontal groove deep, extending to posterior margin of eye. Mandible elongate, slightly arched, parallel-sided with weakly concave edentate masticatory margin, basal margin convex, basal angle with denticle. Scape surpasses posterior cephalic border by one-fifth its length; third antennal segment three-fifths as long as wide and one-quarter as long as second segment.

Mesosoma: Mesosoma with prominent metanotal groove dividing dorsal margin into large convex promesonotum and mostly flat metanotum-propodeum in lateral view; metapleural-propodeal suture effaced. Propodeal spiracle round, facing posterad; promesonotal suture distinct; mesonotum oval, much broader than long, divided in centre by a longitudinal groove. Posterolateral propodeal margins rounded; declivitous face subtriangular, wider posterially than anteriorly.

Metasoma: In lateral view, petiole subquadrate, anterior and posterior margins vertical, anterior margin about as high as midpoint of the posterior node margin, node highest posterad with rounded dorsum, posterior margin inclined, with strong convexity basad; in dorsal view node trapezoidal, with the anterior margin narrower than the posterior margin, longer than wide; lateral margin broadly convex, anterior and posterior margins weakly convex. Subpetiolar process trapezoidal in lateral view. Gaster elongate, a distinct constriction with a row of short longitudinal ridges in it separates first and second gastral segments. Tibiae without setae on external face close to apex.

Sculpture: Cephalic dorsum mostly densely punctate, punctures becoming dispersed posteriorly; malar space reticulate; clypeus with longitudinal to oblique striae, which are more pronounced laterally. Antennae covered with dense piligerous punctulae. Mandible dorsal surface smooth and shiny with scattered punctures, mandible with laterobasal sulcus. Mesosoma mostly smooth and shiny, covered with a few scattered piligerous punctures; propleuron smooth and shining with sparse punctures, mesopleuron rugulose, katepisternum sulcate along mesometapleural suture; metapleuron mostly smooth and shining, propodeum rugose posteroventrally. Metanotal groove with cross-ribs; propodeal declivity transversely striate. Node and gaster polished, smooth and shiny.

Vestiture: Body with abundant suberect to erect hairs, no appressed pubescence. Scape with long abundant suberect hairs and smaller sparse subdecumbent hairs.

Colour: Body colour mostly black, with antennae, mandibles, legs, and gastral apex brown.

Etymology
The species is named in honour of John E. Lattke, in recognition of his significant contribution to the genus Leptogenys.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bharti H., and A. A. Wachkoo. 2013. Two new species of the ant genus Leptogenys (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from India, with description of a plesiomorphic ergatogyne. Asian Myrmecology 5: 11-19.