Leptanilla

Hita Garcia, Wiesel and Fischer (2013) - The more than 40 species of Leptanilla (Bolton, 2012) are largely distributed in the Old World tropics and subtropics (Baroni Urbani, 1977; Bolton, 1990; Lopez et al., 1994). Baroni Urbani (1977) revised the genus on a global basis but today there are numerous undescribed species. Sampling methods that specifically target hypogaeic insects (Normand, 1911; Lopez et al., 1994) are also likely to discover more species of these cryptic ants. The members of this genus are all very small, pale, subterranean ants that are rarely collected, especially the worker and queen castes. Leptanilla species nest and forage in the ground, and seem to be specialised predators of geophilomorph centipedes (Masuko, 1990). Additionally, the queens of some species are known to feed on their larvae, but unlike amblyoponine queens they do not damage the larval integument. Instead the larvae possess a specialised duct organ on the fourth abdominal segment from which the queens can gain the larval haemolymph (Bolton, 1990; Masuko, 1990). Leptanilla displays several behavioural similarities to army ants since all known queens are dichthadiiform, several species are known to be migratory, and foraging is performed in groups.

Species richness
Species richness by country based on regional taxon lists (countries with darker colours are more species-rich). View Data



Biology
Vietnam (Eguchi et al 2014) - Leptanilla spp. inhabit woodland habitats including well-developed forests and forest edges, and lowland and montane forests. Their nests are found under stones and wood fragments. Small dead centipedes being eaten by many larvae are sometimes found inside a nest chamber. Leptanilla spp. are rare in Vietnam, but Leptanilla sp. eg-1 is relatively frequently found in montane forests at the foot of Mt. Fan Si Pan (Sa Pa, Lao Cai).

Nomenclature

 *  LEPTANILLA [Leptanillinae: Leptanillini]
 * Leptanilla Emery, 1870: 196. Type-species: Leptanilla revelierii, by monotypy.
 * Leptanilla senior synonym of Leptomesites: Baroni Urbani, 1977c: 433.
 * LEPTOMESITES [junior synonym of Leptanilla]
 * Leptomesites Kutter, 1948: 286. Type-species: Leptomesites escheri, by original designation.
 * Leptomesites junior synonym of Leptanilla: Baroni Urbani, 1977c: 433.