Leptogenys minima

Identification
Key to Leptogenys of the New World

Lattke (2011) - Head elongate, subrectangular in full-face view; median clypeal lobe triangular, elongate; eye broadly convex in cephalic full-face view, length more than one-third lateral cephalic margin; mesopleuron anterodorsad with brief series of striae that extend transversely posterad; node mostly smooth and shining except for longitudinal striae ventrad; node slightly longer than wide in dorsal view, anterior margin convex and more than half width of posterior margin.

A member of the langi species group. This species is easily recognized on account of the small size and large striking eyes. The transverse striae discernable in lateral view along the ventral margin of the petiolar node are unusual in these small species which are dominated by smooth and shining sculpture. The mesopleuron seems to be divided into a dorsal anepisternum and ventral katepisternum by a series of striae.

Distribution
This taxon is known from central Brazil.

Castes
Queen, male. Unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  minima. Leptogenys minima Lattke, 2011: 181, fig. 35 (w.) BRAZIL.

Worker
Metrics, holotype (paratype): HL 0.85 (0.87); HW 0.53 (0.57); ML 0.37 (0.35); EL 0.20 (0.20); SL 0.78 (0.77); PW 0.48 (0.48); WL 1.25 (1.25); PH 0.48 (0.47); PL 0.47 (0.43); DPW 0.32 (0.32) mm. CI 0.63 (0.65); MI 0.69 (0.62); OI 0.38 (0.35); SI 1.47 (1.35); LPI 1.04 (1.08); DPI 0.68 (0.73).

Head elongate, subrectangular in full-face view; lateral margin broadly convex, head width greatest posterad of eye; posterior cephalic margin straight to weakly convex; median clypeal lobe triangular, elongate, width at base less than external width of antennal fossae; apex lamellate and pointed, sometimes with single hair; lateral lobe narrow and subparallel with clypeal margin; eye broadly convex in cephalic full-face view, length more than one-third lateral cephalic margin, ocular center closer to mid-length of lateral cephalic margin than to mandibular insertion. Scape smooth and shining with abundant piligerous punctulae, surpassing posterior cephalic border by less than one-fourth its length; antennal segment III slightly longer than either segments II and IV; length of antennal segment III just under twice apical width. Mandible elongate, external and basal margins parallel; basal margin mostly broadly convex, row of 2 – 3 setae present on base; basal angle rounded, masticatory margin short with single apical tooth; mandibular dorsum mostly smooth and shining with scattered punctulae. Cephalic dorsum mostly smooth and shining with abdundant punctulae, ventral side with sparse punctae; labium and stipes smooth and shining; clypeus with longitudinal striae between median crest and lateral apex, rest smoother.

Dorsal pronotal margin convex in lateral view; metanotal groove broad and shallow but distinct, dorsal propodeal margin weakly convex, declivitous margin curves onto tooth; propodeal tooth bluntly triangular, dorsal margin jagged. Pronotum smooth and shining with sparse punctulae; mesopleuron weakly colliculate mesad, posteroventrad transversely strigose; anterodorsad with brief series of striae that extend transversely posterad; metapleuron smooth and shining anterad, posterad transversely striate; lateral propodeal face mostly smooth and shining except for irregular striae around spiracle. Mesometapleural suture broad and scrobiculate; metapleural-propodeal suture absent; propodeal spiracle relatively small, broadly oval with opening directed posterolaterally; anteroventral carina of mesopleuron weakly widens anterad; mesosomal dorsum smooth and shining; propodeal declivity mostly with coarse transverse striae except for broad transverse sulcus next to petiolar insertion. Prosternum smooth and shining; mesonotum over twice wider than long in dorsal view, widest mesad; metanotal groove scrobiculate.

Petiole node subrectangular in lateral view; anterior margin vertical, weakly convex; anterior margin less than half height of posterior margin; node highest posterad, dorsal margin convex, sloped. Subpetiolar process subtriangular in lateral view with posterior hook. Node slightly longer than wide in dorsal view, anterior margin convex and more than half width of posterior margin, posterior margin weakly convex, lateral margin straight to weakly convex. Node mostly smooth and shining except for longitudinal striae ventrad. Anterodorsal margin of abdominal segment III continuously convex; constriction between abdominal segments III – IV well marked; gaster mostly smooth and shining with sparse piligerous punctulae. Body color mostly dark brown; mandible, clypeus, scape, legs brown; funiculi, tibiae, gastral apex ferruginous brown. Body with scattered subdecumbent and semi-erect hairs, appressed pilosity wanting. Coxae mostly smooth and shining; metacoxal dorsum with posterior rounded crest basad; pro- and metatibial apices lacking setae, mesotibia with apical seta.

Type Material
Holotype worker. Brazil, Goias, Niquelândia, 14°17′06′′S 48°55′01′′W, 18. – 30.v.1996, Silvestre, Silva & Brandão. One worker deposited in. – Paratype. One worker on the same pin as the holotype deposited in MZSP.

Etymology
The species name is derived from the Latin minimus, for least, and alludes to the relative small size of this species when compared to other members of the genus for the Americas.