Leptogenys josephi

Locality labels indicate a preference of moist forested sites for this species.

Identification
Lattke (2011) - Median clypeal lobe with weak concavity along lateral margin; scape surpasses posterior cephalic border by 3 apical widths; antennal segments II–IV approximately 2 × respective width; propodeal declivity mostly smooth and shining, with 2–3 transverse striae close to petiolar insertion.

A member of the pusilla species group. This species could be confused with Leptogenys quadrata, a morphologically similar species from western Colombia and Ecuador.

Distribution
Known from Costa Rica and Panama

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Costa Rica, Panama.

Castes
Male unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  josephi. Leptogenys josephi Mackay & Mackay, 2004: 256, figs. 1-6 (q.) COSTA RICA. See also: Lattke, 2011: 193.

Lattke (2011) - This species was recently described by MacKay & MacKay (2004) based upon two queens. During the separation of morphotypes close to Leptogenys pusilla, a group of workers and queens, both based upon larger size and more elongate basal funicular segments have been separated and considered as conspecific with L. josephi. The queen from Panama is slightly smaller in size than the Costa Rican queens and presents a more convex dorsal propodeal margin in lateral view than the relatively straight to weakly convex shape of the CR specimens.

Worker
Lattke (2011) - Metrics (n = 5): HL 0.87 – 0.94; HW 0.55 – 0.62; ML 0.35 – 0.43; EL 0.12 – 0.13; SL 0.77 – 0.85; PW 0.50 – 0.53; WL 1.20 – 1.34; PH 0.48 – 0.52; PL 0.45 – 0.50; DPW 0.33 – 0.35 mm. CI 0.63 – 0.68; MI 0.64 – 0.71; OI 0.19 – 0.23; SI 1.28 – 1.48; LPI 0.97 – 1.07; DPI 0.67 – 0.74.

Head subrectangular in full-face view; lateral margin broadly convex; posterior cephalic margin straight to weakly concave; median clypeal lobe triangular, lateral margin with weak concavity, apex acutely pointed; lateral lobe narrow, slightly expanded at internal end into rounded lobe that forms right angle with base of median lobe; eye broadly convex in cephalic full-face view, separated from mandibular insertion by distance greater than its diameter; head widest posterior to compound eyes. Scape surpasses posterior cephalic border by 3 apical widths; antennal segments III, IV respectively longer than segment II; length of antennal segments II – IV approximately 2 × respective width. Mandibular basal margin broadly sinuate, row of 3 stiff hairs present basad; masticatory margin short with single apical tooth; mandibular dorsum mostly smooth and shining with scattered punctulae; mandible of same width in oblique ventral view. Cephalic dorsum mostly smooth and shining with sparse punctulae.

Dorsal mesosomal margin mostly continuous in lateral view, straight to weakly convex; weak depression present at metanotal groove; propodeal dorsal margin forms blunt angle with declivity, low rounded lobe present at spiracular height; mesosomal side smooth and shining, mesometapleural suture distinctly impressed, continuous to weakly scrobiculate; metapleural-propodeal suture absent; propodeal spiracle round with opening directed posterolaterally; depression located between spiracle and propodeal lobe; mesosomal dorsum smooth and shining; propodeal declivity mostly smooth and shining, with 2–3 transverse striae close to petiolar insertion, short transverse striae present along lateral margin of declivitous face. Prosternum smooth and shining; anteroventral carina of mesopleuron weakly widens anterad; mesonotum 3 × wider than long in dorsal view, posterior margin straight.

Petiole node subrectangular in lateral view, slightly inclined anterad; anterior and posterior margins vertical, weakly convex; anterior margin less than half height of posterior margin; node highest posterad, dorsal margin convex, without sharp lateral edges. Subpetiolar process triangular in lateral view, anterior margin much shorter than posterior margin. Node elongate in dorsal view, anterior margin broadly convex and half the width of posterior margin, posterior margin straight, lateral margins broadly concave. Anterior margin of abdominal segment III weakly convex, dorsal margin convex; constriction between abdominal segments III – IV well marked. Body color mostly black with gastral apex ferruginous; mandible, apex of scape, and funiculus brownish-yellow; clypeus, most of scape, and legs brown. Body with scattered erect and semi-erect hairs, appressed pilosity wanting. Coxae mostly smooth and shining; metacoxal dorsum with posterior rounded crest basad; pro- and metatibial apices lacking setae, mesotibia usually with seta.

Queen
Lattke (2011) - With usual differences from worker, but with greatly swollen mandibles, both basal and external mandibular margins convex. Body ferruginous, mandibles yellow.

Type Material
Lattke (2011) - Holotype queen: Costa Rica, Guanacaste, Pitilla Field Station, 600 m, 2.v.1995 (R. Anderson) [examined].