Leptomyrmex melanoticus

Collected in rainforest. Nesting habits are unknown.

Identification
Lucky and Ward (2010) – L. melanoticus is distinctively slender, unicolorous black and virtually hairless. It is unlikely to be confused with the stout and hairy Leptomyrmex flavitarsus, but superficially does resemble Leptomyrmex niger. L. melanoticus can be distinguished from this species by its narrow and conical ‘neck’, an extension of the posterior portion of the head not found in L. niger. The round eyes of L. melanoticus (EL 0.36–0.39) are generally smaller than the large, elongate eyes of L. niger (EL 0.38–0.47 mm). Additionally, the propodeal angle of this species gradu¬ally rounds into the dorsal and posterior faces, in contrast to the distinct angle of the propodeum of L. niger. See the discussion of L. fragilis for consideration of the close relationship between L. melanoticus and L. fragilis.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: New Guinea.

Castes
Queens have yet to be collected.

Nomenclature

 *  melanoticus. Leptomyrmex fragilis subsp. melanoticus Wheeler, W.M. 1934c: 113, fig. 15 (w.m.) NEW GUINEA. Raised to species: Lucky & Ward, 2010: 38. Senior synonym of contractus: Lucky & Ward, 2010: 38.
 * contractus. Leptomyrmex contractus Donisthorpe, 1947c: 586 (w.) NEW GUINEA. Junior synonym of melanoticus: Lucky & Ward, 2010: 38.

Worker
Lucky and Ward (2010) – measurements (n = 6) HL 1.77–2.00, HW 0.99–1.06, MFC 0.18–0.24, IOD 0.56–0.61, SL 3.96–4.54, EL 0.36–0.39, WL 3.32–3.76, PW 0.86–1.01, DPW 0.27–0.35, HTL 4.34–5.09, HTWmin 0.10–0.13, HTWmax 0.15–0.19, CI 0.54–0.56, SI 4.02–4.05, OI 0.11–0.15, HTC 0.62–0.75.

As in Leptomyrmex fragilis, but body unicolorous black with only the antennal funiculi, the mandibles and the tarsi pale yellow.

Male
Lucky and Ward (2010) – measurements (n = 2) HL 1.46–1.52, HW 1.04–1.05, SL 0.37–0.38, EL 0.64, HTL 4.78–4.83, CI 0.68–0.72, SI 0.36–0.37, SI2 1.08–1.09.

Type Material
Lucky and Ward (2010):

Syntypes, 6 workers, 2 males, Papua New Guinea: China Straight (Eyerdam, W.J.).

L. contractus Syntype, 1 worker, Papua New Guinea: KB Mission (Krombein, K.V.).