Leptogenys malama

This species usually forages terrestrially and workers are often found on the forest floor and in leaf litter. Workers occasionally explore lower vegetation even though their nests are consistently located in rotten logs or in soil.

Identification
A member of the attenuata species group. Rakotonirina and Fisher (2014) - Worker. Third antennal segment of normal length, less than twice the length of second segment; in full-face view, eye not breaking outline of side of head; mesopleural sulcus narrow and smooth, oriented to level of posterodorsal corner of pronotum; legs black to dark brown and tarsi light brown.

Leptogenys malama is morphologically similar to other species within the attenuata species group but can be recognized by the position of eye in the front of the head, which does not break the line of the lateral cephalic border; by the smooth and shiny mandible; and by the absence of standing hairs on the propodeal dorsum. This species can be differentiated from Leptogenys lucida, its most similar species, by its larger size and in lateral view the mesopleural sulcus running towards the posterodorsal corner of the pronotum. Within this species, three forms are observed. The first has a shallow impression on the anterior portion of petiole dorsum when viewed in profile and usually there are no standing erect hairs on the dorsum of the mesosoma and petiolar node. It has been collected from RNI Betampona, Mananara Nord, Ambatovy, and PN Mantadia. The second form has a strongly visible suture between the metapleuron and the side of the propodeum, and it has a pair of protuberances on the posterodorsal angle of the propodeum. It occurs in PN Marojejy, montane forest of Anjanaharibe and Akirindro of the Makira Reserve, and PN Masoala. The third form is recognized by its microreticulate procoxa, finely rugulose sides of mesopleuron and lower half of propodeum, sculptured suture between metapleuron and propodeum, and transversely striate propodeal declivity. It is known only from the west of Andampibe, Cap Masoala, at 125 m.

Distribution
Madagascar. The three morphotypes observed within this species occur from the PN Marojejy in the north through the PN Mantadia in the south.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Habitat
Leptogenys malama occupies the humid forests between 225 m and 1080 m in eastern Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  malama. Leptogenys malama Rakotonirina & Fisher, 2014: 55, figs. 23A, 24B, 25A, 68, 81 (w.) MADAGASCAR.

Worker
(12 specimens). HW: 1.08–1.41, HL: 1.48–1.84, CI: 73–78, SL: 1.40–1.80, SI: 123–133, PW: 0.85–1.11, WL: 2.29–2.90, PNH: 0.67–0.86, PNL: 0.64–0.86, PNW: 0.52–0.66, DNI: 71–85, LNI: 97–112.

Head elongate and broadest at level of eye; posterior portion of lateral margin rounding to slightly concave posterior margin; side nearly straight in front of eyes. Eye medium, greatest diameter between one-fourth and one-fifth of length of side of head; in cephalic full-face view, eye not breaking border of side of head. Antennal scape long, reaching posterior cephalic margin by one third its length. Length of third antennal segment normal, less than twice the length of the second. Mandible inner margin broadly rounded at widest portion, without blunt angle or preapical tooth. With mesosoma in profile, mesopleural sulcus narrow and not cross-ribbed, running toward level of posterodorsal corner of pronotum. Posterior margin of propodeum at level of spiracle with protruding toothlike lobe. In dorsal view, petiolar node elongate and narrowed anteriorly; in profile, node roughly as long as high; anterior margin forming a convex line with the dorsum; shallow impression usually present at junction between both faces; petiolar dorsum meets in distinct angle with straight posterior margin. Mandible smooth and shining between sparse, small punctures. Head, clypeus, mesosoma, declivitous surface, petiolar node and gaster generally smooth and shining; scattered small punctures present on head dorsum. Posterior portion of pronotal dorsum, petiolar node and first two gastral tergites usually lacking standing hairs and pubescence; dorsum of propodeum may have short, suberect hairs. Body color and basala portion of appendages black to dark brown, tarsae and apex of gaster lighter in color.

Type Material
Holotype worker: Madagascar, Toamasina, RNI Betampona, Camp Vohitsivalana, 37.1 km 338° Toamasina, -17.8867, 49.2025, 520 m, rainforest, ex rotten log, 2 Dec 2005 (B.L. Fisher et al.) collection code: BLF13310, specimen code: CASENT0067685. Paratypes: 4 workers, same data as holotype but with specimen codes: CASENT0247251, CASENT0247250, CASENT0247249, CASENT0247248 (CASC,, , ).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Blaimer B. B., S. G. Brady, T. R. Schultz, and B. L. Fisher. 2015. Fucntional and phylogenetic approaches reveal the evolution of diversity in a hyper diverse biota. Ecography 38: 001-012.
 * Rakotonirina J. C., and B. L. Fisher. 2014. Revision of the Malagasy ponerine ants of the genus Leptogenys Roger (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 3836 (1): 001163.