Leptanilloides improvisus

A brief habitat remark - shrub litter - from the type label is all that is known about the biology of Leptanilloides improvisus.

Identification
A member of the Leptanilloides biconstricta species-group.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Ecuador.

Nomenclature

 * . Leptanilloides improvisa Brandão, Diniz, et al. 1999: 28, figs. 3, 4, 16, 22 (w.) ECUADOR.
 * Type-material: holotype worker.
 * Type-locality: Ecuador: Volcán Cotopaxi, NNE Latacunga, Paramo Moss, 3350 m., 23.vi.1975, B-305, shrub litter (S. & J. Peck).
 * Type-depository: MCZC.
 * Status as species: Donoso, et al. 2006: 60 (in key); Borowiec, M.L. & Longino, 2011: 27 (in key); Delsinne, et al. 2015: 8 (in key).
 * Distribution: Ecuador.

Worker
Holotype (MCZ) (in mm): HL 0.50, HW 0.38, SL 0.26, WL 0.68, CI 76, SI 68, SRI.

The postpetiole nearly as high dorsoventrally than the first fourth abdominal segment. The coarser head sculpture and mandibular teeth, better developed in relation to the other species in the genus, distinguishes L. improvisus from all other Leptanilloides.

Other relevant characters include: head with convex sides in full-face view, head sculpture with up to 20 deep foveolae covering a straight transverse line at head midlength; inner margins of the frontal carinae are separated from each other; flange over the metapleural gland opening rounded, and it does not surpass the lateral propodeum profile.

Type Material
Holotype worker deposited at. Ecuador, Volca´n Cotopaxi, NNE Latacunga, Paramo Moss, shrub litter, 3350 m, 23.vi.1975, B-305, leg. S. & J. Peck.

Etymology
Improvisa, a noun in apposition, meaning unexpected in Latin, referring to the fact that this manuscript was almost ready when we found this unique specimen among other samples of Leptanilloides.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Brandão, C.R.F., J.L.M. Diniz, D. Agosti and J.H. Delabie. 1999. Revision of the Neotropical ant subfamily Leptanilloidinae. Systematic Entomology, 24: 17-36.
 * Delsinne T., G. Sonet, and D. A. Donoso. 2015. Two new species of Leptanilloides Mann, 1823 (Formicidae: Dorylinae) from the Andes of southern Ecuador. European Journal of Taxonomy 143: 1–35.
 * Fernández, F. and S. Sendoya. 2004. Lista de las hormigas neotropicales. Biota Colombiana Volume 5, Number 1.