Leptomyrmex pilosus

Leptomyrmex pilosus is restricted to rainforest to the west of Cape Tribulation, Queensland.

Identification
Palps elongated, extending well beyond the posterior margin of the head capsule. Antennal scapes elongated (SI greater than 170) and extending beyond the vertex of the head by about half their length. Distinctive abundant pilosity consisting of shorter adpressed and longer decumbent hairs. Morphologically it is similar to Leptomyrmex aitchisoni but is readily distinguished by the abundant pilosity on all surfaces. (Smith and Shattuck 2009)

Key to Australian Leptomyrmex Species

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  pilosus. Leptomyrmex pilosus Smith, D.J. & Shattuck, 2009: 63, figs. 13-15, 19, 20, 22 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Worker
Vertex of head weakly convex to flat, corners rounded, sides of the head almost straight, head widest at mid-length. Scape relatively short, surpassing the vertex by about half its length. Palps long, extending to near the posterior of the head capsule. Medial hypostoma distinctly notched. Anterior mesonotum without a raised anterior region. Legs long. Hind tibial spur with reduced barbules, absent from basal 1/5th. Scale present, ridged and with a distinct angle dorsally, in profile bluntly angular, weakly inclined anteriorly, anterior and posterior faces of the scale approximately equal in length. Abundant relatively long appressed yellowish pubescence on mesosoma and gaster, pubescence short adpressed and long decumbent on head and antennal scapes.

(n = 7) -CI 78–80; EL 0.20–0.23; HL 0.91–0.98; HW 0.72–0.77; MTL 0.93–1.04; SI 171–175; SL 1.25–1.32; WL 1.43–1.53.