Leptogenys mavaca

Identification
Lattke (2011) - Eye broadly convex, large, occupying more than one-fourth of lateral cephalic margin; funicular segments cylindrical and elongate; median process triangular, slender, abruptly projecting anterad; mesopleuron and ventral metapleuron with transverse, roughly parallel striae.

This species might be taken for Leptogenys langi on account of similarities in size, smoothened sculpture, pointed median lobe and a strong constriction between abdominal segments III and IV, but L. langi has the funicular segments sharply constricted basally, the mandibles lack the internal curvature, the median clypeal process is more acute and evenly tapers from the anterior margin. The body is smoother in L. langi, with little or no striation on the posterior mesosomal sides. The type series was found in a rotting palm trunk on the ground in a lowland forested area. The Brazilian specimen is extremely similar to the Venezuelan specimens, and has been provisonally determined as L. mavaca.

Distribution
Brazil and southern Venezuela.

This taxon was described from Venezuela.

Castes
Male unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  mavaca. Leptogenys mavaca Lattke, 2011: 180, fig. 34 (w.q.) VENEZUELA.

Worker
Metrics, holotype (paratypes, n = 2): HL 0.87 (0.87 – 0.90); HW 0.52 (0.50 – 0.52); ML 0.37 (0.33 –0.38); EL 0.18 (0.17 – 0.18); SL 0.84 (0.84 – 0.84); PW 0.50 (0.48 – 0.52); WL 1.27 (1.25 – 1.32); PH 0.50 (0.52 – 0.55); PL 0.45 (0.42 – 0.45); DPW 0.35 (0.35 – 0.38) mm. CI 0.60 (0.57 – 0.57); MI 0.71 (0.67 – 0.74); OI 0.35 (0.33 – 0.35); SI 1.61 (1.61 – 1.67); LPI 1.11 (1.15 – 1.32); DPI 0.78 (0.78 – 0.92).

Head subrectangular in full-face view, posterior margin straight, lateral margin curves medially to posterior margin, lateral margin posterad of eye convex; clypeal margin sinuate, median process triangular, slender, abruptly projecting anterad. Eye broadly convex, occupying more than one-fourth of lateral cephalic margin; individual lens distinct, no hint of fusing into each other at perimeter. Cephalic dorsum mostly smooth and shining with sparse piligerous punctulae; frontal carinae separated by shallow sulcus almost half their length. Scape surpasses posterior cephalic border by more than 3 apical widths, widest at mid-length; funicular segments cylindrical and elongate, fourth segment more than half the length of third, third segment longer than three widths. Scape punctate, with suberect to decumbent pilosity, no pubescence; cephalic ventral surface smooth and shining; hypostomal tooth brief, close to mandibular base. Mandibles close tight against clypeus leaving gap at base of median clypeal process; mandible of uniform width; dorsal surface smooth and shining, basal margin sinuate, basal convexity with 3 stout hairs; masticatory margin edentate, basal sulcus well developed.

Mesosoma with dorsal margin forming two broad convexities in lateral view, metanotal groove well impressed; propodeal dorsal margin meets declivitous margin at blunt angle; declivity straight to broadly convex; pronotum and propleuron smooth and shining, ventral pronotal groove fine; mesopleuron and ventral metapleuron with transverse, roughly parallel, striae; mesometapleural suture scrobiculate; most of metapleuron and propodeum smooth and shining; propodeal spiracle rounded, opening posterolaterally facing; metathoracic spiracular tubercle convex, rounded. Mesosomal dorsum smooth and shining; mesonotum wider than long in dorsal view with sub-parallel posterior and anterior margins; declivity with transverse striae; propodeal teeth blunt, at same height as spiracle.

Petiole sub-quadrate in lateral view; anterior margin more than half the height of posterior margin, or forming continuous convexity with dorsal margin; dorsal margin broadly convex, highest posterad; posterior margin mostly straight to very broadly concave, with modest ventral convexity. Posterior face flat to slightly convex; node smooth and shining. Node roughly as long as wide in dorsal view, width of anterior margin ranging from half to more than half width of posterior margin; posterior margin slightly convex. Gaster smooth and shining with sparse piligerous punctulae, constriction between segments III and IV well marked; pygidium without longitudinal crest; pygidial margin evenly convex in lateral view. Procoxa in lateral view smooth and shining; setae on posterior tarsal margins reduced; tibia lacking apical setae. Antennae, and mandibles brown; legs and gastral apex light brown; body dark brown, almost black.

Queen
Metrics: HL 0.92; HW 0.53; ML 0.35; EL 0.18; SL 0.85; PW 0.43; WL 1.30; PH 0.53; PL 0.42; DPW 0.42 mm. CI 0.58; MI 0.66; OI 0.34; SI 1.59; LPI 1.28; DPI 1.00. Similar to worker with mesosoma appearing more convex in lateral view, metanotal groove appears deeper; node compressed, in dorsal view with anterior margin less than half as wide as posterior margin; gaster enlarged.

Type Material
Holotype worker. Venezuela, Amazonas, Alto Río Mavaca, [Tapirapecó Basecamp], 2°1′N 65°7′W, 200 m, 31.i.1989, J. Lattke 1230. One worker deposited in. – Paratypes. All from the same nest as the holotype: 1w 1q MIZA; 1w ; 1w.

Etymology
The species name alludes to the type locality, Mavaca, a Yekuana indian village.