Leptogenys fasika

Leptogenys fasika is restricted to the northern tip of Madagascar along the sandy habitats of Ampombofofo, Analabe, Orangea, and Sakalava beach, where worker specimens have been found foraging on the ground and on the lower portions of shrub vegetation. In these sandy localities, the species generally nests under the ground and very rarely in rotten logs or under stones. The most recent collecting event for this species was in Orangea in May 2010. In this sandy soil forest, this species nested in the ground and was observed foraging on the surface during the day for beetles, flies, and crickets. As solitary foragers returned with large prey, at half a meter from the nest entrance recruitment would begin to help the foragers carry their prey into the nest. (Rakotonirina and Fisher 2014)

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 the second; eye breaking outline of side of head; mandible smooth and shining apart from scattered piligerous punctures; metapleuron generally smooth. With petiole in profile, posterodorsal angle of node not projecting posteriorly nor overhanging the posterior margin; node as long as high (LNI: 100–106), anterior face of node visibly separated from sharp anteriorpetiolar ridge. In dorsal view, petiole robust (DNI: 83–89), width decreasing gradually from anterad, anterior portion of node not clearly compressed laterally; hairs whitish yellow.

Workers of L. fasika might be confounded with those of Leptogenys variabilis, but the former is larger (HW: 1.20–1.31, PW: 0.98–1.11), the antennal scape relatively longer and the petiolar node as long as high in profile; the node in dorsal view is more robust, without distinct lateral compression on the anterior portion; and the color of hairs on dorsum of body is whitish yellow. By contrast, L. variabilis workers are smaller (HW: 0.75–1.08, PW: 0.60–0.91) and have a shorter antennal scape; a much longer petiolar node in lateral view (LNI: 91–105) that is narrower with clearly laterally pinched anterior portion in dorsal view; hairs on body dorsum yellowish-brown.

Key to Malagasy Leptogenys

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Habitat
Sandy beach.

Nomenclature

 *  fasika. Leptogenys fasika Rakotonirina & Fisher, 2014: 48, figs. 28B, 30C, 31A, 64, 77 (w.) MADAGASCAR.

Worker
(9 specimens). HW: 1.20–1.31, HL: 1.64–1.76, CI: 73–75, SL: 1.63–1.81, SI: 135–145, PW: 0.98–1.11, WL: 2.62–2.86, PNH: 0.80–0.95, PNL: 0.78–0.89, PNW: 0.70–0.77, DNI: 83–89, LNI: 100–106.

Head elongate, weakly broadened anteriorly, sides slightly diverging to front, meeting generally the straight posterior margin in convex line. In cephalic full-face view, eye with maximum diameter one-fourth the length of lateral margin of head, breaking outline of side of head. Antennal scape long, surpassing posterior cephalic margin by one third its length. Third antennal segment less than twice the length of second. Propodeal lobe lacking. In dorsal view, petiolar node massive, width decreasing gradually from back to front, anterior portion without clear lateral compression. In profile, node approximately as long as high; distance between anterior face of node and anterior sharp ridge for junction to propodeum distinct. Mandible smooth apart from scattered piligerous punctures; clypeus finely rugose or with scattered piligerous punctures. Dorsum of head and body generally smooth and shining; side of mesosoma and propodeal declivitous surface smooth and shiny. Body covered with dense whitish yellow standing hairs and pubescence. Integument black, with bluish reflection or opalescence; tip of gaster and distal part of appendages light brown to yellow.

Type Material
Holotype worker: Madagascar, Antsiranana, Forêt d’Orangea, 3.6 km 128° SE Remena, -12.25889, 49.37467, 90 m, littoral rainforest, ground nest, 22–28 Feb. 2001 (Fisher, Griswold et al.) collection code: BLF03224, specimen code: CASENT0416215. Paratypes: 6 workers, with same data as holotype but specimen coded: CASENT0247203, CASENT0247242, CASENT0416216, CASENT0416217, CASENT0416218, CASENT0416220 (CASC,, , ).