Leptogenys quiriguana

Identification
Key to Leptogenys of the New World

Lattke (2011) - Eye diameter covers less than one-fourth lateral cephalic margin; clypeus mostly smooth with sparse longitudinal strigae; width of mesonotum more than 2 × its length, anterior margin convex, posterior margin broadly convex; petiole subquadrate in lateral view; node triangular in dorsal view; anterior margin convex, about half as wide as posterior margin.

A member of the quiriguana species group. Close to Leptogenys consanguinea. There is a small depression posterad of propodeal spiracle, with a distinct ventral ridge in this species but it is not a sulcus.

Distribution
This taxon was described from Guatemala. It is known from southern Mexico and Belize.

Castes
Queen, male. Unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  quiriguana. Leptogenys (Lobopelta) quiriguana Wheeler, W.M. 1923d: 10, fig. 4 (w.) GUATEMALA. See also: Lattke, 2011: 207.

Worker
Lattke (2011) - Metrics, non types (n = 5): HL 1.01 – 1.11; HW 0.68 – 0.76; ML 0.51 – 0.56; EL 0.15 – 0.18; SL 0.91 – 1.06; PW 0.58 – 0.66; WL 1.52 – 1.77; PH 0.61 – 0.68; PL 0.53 – 0.61; DPW 0.40 – 0.46 mm. CI 0.68 – 0.69; MI 0.71 – 0.76; OI 0.20 – 0.25; SI 1.28 – 1.40; LPI 1.08 – 1.19; DPI 0.70 – 0.86.

Head longer than wide in full-face view; widest at mid-length; lateral margin weakly convex, posterior margin weakly concave to straight; vertexal carinae narrow, but visible throughout most of posterior cephalic margin; eye laterally placed, relatively flattened, separated from mandibular insertion by more than one diameter, diameter covers less than one-fourth lateral cephalic margin; median clypeal process triangular with pointed apex; lateral clypeal lobe narrow; clypeus mostly smooth with sparse longitudinal strigae. Head mostly smooth and shining, with scattered piligerous punctulae, punctulae denser between eyes and antennal sclerite. Scape smooth with abundant piligerous punctulae, subdecumbent pilosity and scattered subdecumbent to suberect hairs, scape surpasses posterior cephalic border by approximately one-fourth its length; second and third antennal segments approximately same length, both twice as long as wide; fourth antennal segment slightly shorter. Mandible shuts tight against clypeus, elongate, mostly parallel-sided, weakly widening apicad, basal margin mostly convex, with 3 – 4 stout hairs; mandibular dorsum smooth and shining, sparsely punctate; cephalic ventral face smooth and shining with sparse piligerous punctulae.

Mesosomal dorsal margin forms relative continuous line in lateral view; promesonotal margin broadly convex; dorsal propodeal margin mostly straight; metanotal groove narrow and shallow; dorsal propodeal margin almost 2 × length of declivitous margin; propodeal dorsal and declivitous margins form blunt, obtuse angle. Mesosoma mostly smooth and shining, some striae may be present on posterolateral metapleuron; width of mesonotum more than twice its length, anterior margin convex, posterior margin broadly convex. Mesometapleural suture well impressed, scrobiculate; metapleural propodeal suture lacking; propodeal spiracle relatively small, oval, posterolaterally facing; mesopleuron with low triangular anterior lobe, anteroventral carina distinct; mesosternum with fine transverse regular striae; propodeum with rounded, blunt tooth at spiracular height; declivity with sparse transverse striae close to petiolar insertion. Cervix with transverse striae; prosternal process rounded in lateral view.

Petiole subquadrate in lateral view, anterior margin straight, anteriorly inclined, shorter than posterior margin, dorsal margin weakly convex, highest posterad; posterior margin straight to very broadly convex; ventral process shaped as triangular lobe; node triangular in dorsal view; anterior margin convex, about half as wide as posterior margin, posterior margin mostly straight, lateral margin straight to weakly convex; postpetiolar anterior margin vertical in lateral view, with rounded angle separating broadly convex dorsal margin. Node and gaster smooth and shining; procoxa smooth and shining in lateral view; head, thorax, and most of abdomen dark brown to black; antenna, clypeus, mandibles, legs and apical gastral segments ferruginous to dark brown. Body with sparse short standing hairs, no appressed pilosity.

Type Material
Lattke (2011) - Lectotype workers: Guatemala, Quirigua, 13.i.1912, under log (W.M.Wheeler) [examined]. The type series are 3 point-mounted workers on a single pin.

Additional References

 * Lattke, J.E. 2011. Revision of the New World species of the genus Leptogenys Roger (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae). Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny 69:127-264.