Leptogenys ciliata

Only known from type material. The ants were captured in montane rain forest as they foraged.

Identification
Key to Leptogenys of the New World

Lattke (2011) - Head elongate in full-face view, wider anterad than posterad, lateral margin convex; eye laterodorsally placed on head, small; scape surpasses posterior cephalic border by over one-third its length, basal funicular segments subcylindrical; frontal carinae longitudinally striate, striae extending posterad in full-face view to same level as posterior ocular margin; petiolar node subrectangular in lateral view, longer than high, height of anterior margin less than one-third posterior margin, anterodorsal margin continuously convex.

Distribution
This taxon was described, and is only known, from (eastern) Ecuador.

Castes
Queens and males are unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  ciliata. Leptogenys ciliata Lattke, 2011: 227, fig. 81 (w.) ECUADOR.

Worker
Metrics, holotype (paratype): HL 1.72 (1.69); HW 1.18 (1.18); ML 0.94 (0.98); EL 0.20 (0.24); SL 1.31 (1.28); PW 1.04 (1.04); WL 2.80 (2.76); PH 1.08 (1.01); PL 1.08 (1.01); DPW 0.64 (0.61) mm. CI 0.69 (0.70); MI 0.80 (0.83); OI 0.17 (0.20); SI 1.11 (1.09); LPI 1.00 (1.00); DPI 0.59 (0.60).

Head elongate in full-face view, wider anterad than posterad, lateral margin convex, posterior margin straight to weakly concave; median clypeal lobe triangular, apex bluntly rounded and translucent, lateral lobe weakly developed, not projecting anterad but forming continuous profile with median lobe. Eye laterodorsally placed on head, relatively small, just slightly longer than maximum scape width; eye closer to cephalic mid-length than to mandibular insertion. Scape surpassing posterior cephalic border by distance over one-third its length, basal funicular segments subcylindrical, slightly wider apicad than basad; second antennal segment at least 3 × longer than apical width, length of third antennal segment 2.6 – 2.8 × more than apical width, length of fourth antennal segment over twice apical width; third antennal segment longer than second or fourth. Scape with dense subdecumbent pubescence and abundant subdecumbent hairs. Mandible elongate, gradually expanding apicad; basal margin broadly convex, 5 – 6 stout hairs present along basal margin next to median clypeal lobe; masticatory margin edentate, broadly concave; basal and masticatory margins separated by blunt angle; external margin broadly concave basad, broadly convex apicad. Head mostly smooth and shining except for numerous scattered piligerous punctulae which become denser and more impressed posterad, frontal carinae longitudinally striate, striae extending posterad in full-face view to same level as posterior ocular margin. Clypeus with longitudinal striae medially. Cephalic ventral surface smooth and shining except for scattered, broad, shallow punctae; hypostomal corner developed as triangular lobe, not visible in dorsal cephalic view.

Mesosoma with well-developed metanotal groove in lateral view; most of pronotal margin continuously convex; mesonotal margin relatively straight, propodeal margin mostly broadly convex with minor irregularities, declivitous margin broadly convex with jagged aspect due to transverse striae on declivitous face; very modest lateral lobe present. Pronotum, propleura, and lateral propodeal face mostly smooth and shining with scattered piligerous punctulae; mesopleuron with arching striae anterad, striae weakest medially, well-developed striae present posterad; posteroventral corner, directly dorsad of mesocoxa, with coarse rugulae sculpturing. Mesometapleural suture well developed, scrobiculate; metapleural-propodeal suture absent; metapleuron mostly longitudinally striate, striae weakest dorsad, strongest ventrad, anteroventral margin punctate-striate. Propodeal spiracle broadly oval, facing posterolaterad, bordered ventrally by ledge.

Petiolar node subrectangular in lateral view, longer than high, height of anterior margin less than one-third posterior margin, anterodorsal margin continuously convex, node highest posterad, posterior margin straight to weakly convex. Node elongate in dorsal view, widest posterad, posterior margin straight, lateral margin straight to weakly convex, anterior margin broadly convex, its width more than half the width of posterior margin. Node mostly smooth and shining with scattered piligerous punctae, punctures densest on anterodorsal surface. Subpetiolar process shaped as lobe with convex anteroventral margin and short, mostly vertical posterior margin. Cross-section of node at mid-length V-shaped. Abdominal segment III with continuously convex anterodorsal margin in lateral view, constriction between segments III and IV well marked. Gaster mostly smooth and shining with scattered, piligerous punctulae. Body with abundant subdecumbent pilosity. Body dark brown; clypeus and scape brown; funiculus, legs, and gastral apex ferruginous brown. Pro- and metatibial apices lacking setae, mesotibial apex with single seta laterad.

Type Material
Type material. Holotype worker. Ecuador, Pichincha, Maquipucuna, 5 km ESE Namegal, 17.viii.1991, 1700 m, 0°07'N 78°38'W, P.S. Ward 11509. Deposited in. – Paratype: One worker on the same pin as the holotype. Deposited in MCZC.

The types are point-mounted and both on the same pin. The holotype is the top specimen and the basal part of the point has been stained red.

Etymology
The species name alludes to the abundant pilosity of the body of this ant. It is derived from the Latin for eyelash, cilium.