Key to Leptanilloides species

This worker key is based on: [[Media:Borowiec 2011.pdf|Borowiec, M. L.; Longino, J. T. 2011. Three new species and reassessment of the rare Neotropical ant genus Leptanilloides (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Leptanilloidinae). ZooKeys 133:19-48. [2011-10-05] PDF]]

This key does not include the species Leptanilloides atlantica

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Leptanilloides

1
Abdominal segment III (postpetiole) in lateral view much smaller than adjoining fourth abdominal segment (Figure 2A). Spiracle of segment III shift ed posteriad on anteromedian side of tergite (Figure 2A). Body size relatively large, HL 0.68–0.75 . . . . . 2

Abdominal segment III in lateral view nearly as high as abdominal segment IV (Figure 2B–D). Spiracle of segment III situated forward on the tergite (Figures 2B–D). Body size relatively small, HL 0.31–0.50 . . . . . 5

2
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Head subquadrate, CI 85–88; lateral margins nearly straight and parallel (Figure 2E). Propodeal declivity short and vertical, propodeum with dorsal and posterior faces clearly differentiated (Figure 2A) (Ecuador). . . . . Leptanilloides nomada

Head subrectangular, CI 75–83; lateral margins convex (Figure 2F). Propodeal declivity usually rounded without clear distinction between dorsal and posterior face (cf. Figure 2B, Figure 4 in Donoso et al. 2006) . . . . . 3

3
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Head sculpture less dense, at most 10–12 shallow foveolae across face at midlength. Lateral margins of the head distinctly convex. Posterior margin of the head slightly concave (Figure 2F) (Colombia). . . . . Leptanilloides legionaria

Head sculpture more dense, with at least 15 foveolae across face at midlength. Lateral margins of the head slightly convex. Posterior margin of the head deeply concave. (cf. Figure 2F, Figure 3 in Donoso et al. 2006) . . . . . 4

4
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Legs shorter, HW/HTiL×100 > 78. Hypostomal teeth present (Figure 2H) (Ecuador). . . . . Leptanilloides nubecula

Legs longer, HW/HTiL×100 < 78. Hypostomal teeth absent (Figure 2I) (Costa Rica). . . . . Leptanilloides mckennae

5
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Lateroclypeal teeth absent. Masticatory margin of mandibles edentate (Figure 5 in Donoso et al. 2006) (Ecuador). . . . . Leptanilloides caracola

Lateroclypeal teeth present. Masticatory margin of mandibles with teeth (Figure 4D) . . . . . 6

6
return to couplet #5

In lateral view, sternite of abdominal segment III (postpetiole) distinctly bulging anteriorly, making the sternal portion of the segment deeper than tergite (Figure 2D). Abdominal segment IV narrowly attached to the preceding segment III, and broadly to succeeding segment V, so that there is a contrast between widths of anterior and posterior articulation of the segment IV in lateral view (Colombia, Bolivia). . . . . Leptanilloides biconstricta

In lateral view, sternite of abdominal segment III rather evenly rounded, and making the sternal and tergal portions subequal (Figures 2B, 2C). Abdominal segment IV relatively broadly attached to the preceding segment III, so that there is little contrast between widths of anterior and posterior articulations of segment IV in lateral view (Figures 4E, 5E) . . . . . 7

7
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In lateral view, petiolar sternite distinctly bulging medially (Figure 2C) . . . . . 8 – In lateral view, petiolar sternite bulging anteriorly (Figures 2B, 2D) . . . . . 9

8
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Hind tibia with two very small, simple spurs, without pectinate spur clearly visible under 50× magnification (Figure 2J). Petiolar spiracle opening in an excavation distinctly larger than propodeal spiracle (Figure 5G, 5H). Flange over the metapleural gland opening sharply pointed posteriorly (Figure 5G) (Mexico, Guatemala). . . . . Leptanilloides gracilis

Hind tibia with a large pectinate spur, clearly discernable under 50× magnification. Petiolar spiracle not in excavation, similar and subequal to or smaller in diameter than propodeal spiracle (Figures 4G, 4H). Flange over metapleural gland opening rounded posteriorly (Figure 4G) (Venezuela). . . . . Leptanilloides femoralis

9
return to couplet #7

Smaller species, HW < 0.30. Slender with narrow head, CI < 70 (Figure 2G) (Colombia). . . . . Leptanilloides sculpturata

Larger species, HW > 0.30. Head broader, CI > 70 . . . . . 10

10
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Size larger, HW = 0.38 on single known specimen. Petiolar sternite conspicuously excavated anteroventrally in lateral view (Figure 2B). Flange over metapleural gland opening rounded posteriorly (Figure 22 in Brandão et al. 1999a) (Ecuador). . . . . Leptanilloides improvisa

Smaller, HW < 0.35. Petiolar sternite not conspicuously excavated anteroventrally in lateral view (Figure 3E, 3J). Flange over metapleural gland opening sharply pointed posteriorly (Figure 3J) (Ecuador). . . . . Leptanilloides erinys