Leptogenys grandidieri

Individual workers of this species have been found foraging on the forest floor and through leaf litter. Nests were discovered under the ground and in rotten logs.

Identification
A member of the attenuata species group. Rakotonirina and Fisher (2014) - Worker. Third antennal segment of normal length, less than twice of the length of the second; eye breaking outline of sides of head; basal half of mandible finely longitudinally striate, apical portion faintly striate or smooth between sparse punctures; metapleuron finely rugulose; posterior portion and anterodorsal level of mesopleuron finely rugulose or with superficial rugulae; posterodorsal angle of node projecting posteriorly and overhanging its posterior margin.

Leptogenys grandidieri is easily recognized by the combination of the following characters: the striation on mandible, the presence of sculpture on the sides of the mesosoma, and the backward projection of the posterodorsal angle of petiolar node over its posterior margin. This species is very similar to Leptogenys edsoni but in the later the dorsal and posterior faces of petiole meet at a right-angle. Leptogenys manongarivo is similar with respect to the posterior projection of the posterodorsal corner of petiolar node, but L. manongarivo lacks sculpture on the sides of the mesosoma.

Key to Malagasy Leptogenys

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Habitat
The high and mid-elevational montane rainforest in the PN Andohahela in the south-east of Madagascar is the only site where L. grandidieri is known. The species is absent from the dry forest habitats adjacent to these mesic forests in the park.

Nomenclature

 *  grandidieri. Leptogenys (Lobopelta) grandidieri Forel, 1910a: 17 (w.) MADAGASCAR. See also: Bolton, 1975a: 296.

Worker
Rakotonirina and Fisher (2014) - (9 specimens). HW: 0.83–0.89, HL: 1.24–1.34, CI: 65–68, SL: 1.16–1.25, SI: 138–144, PW: 0.70–0.75, WL: 1.92–2.07, PNH: 0.56–0.60, PNL: 0.53–0.57, PNW: 0.43–0.49, DNI: 79–89, LNI: 101–111.

Head subrectangular, lateral margin meets in rounded angle the slightly medially concave posterior border. In cephalic full-face view, eye breaking outline of side of head; maximum diameter between one-fourth and one-fifth the length of lateral cephalic border. One-fourth the length of antennal scape extending beyond posterior margin of head. Third antennal segment normal, less than twice the length of the second. Basal margin of mandible broadly rounded, rarely with blunt angle or very small preapical tooth. Propodeal lobe toothlike. With petiolar node in profile, posterodorsal angle projecting posteriorly and overhanging posterior margin; anterior margin shorter than posterior margin, node higher than long and inclined anterad. Mandible finely longitudinally striate from base to midlength; distally, sculpture becomes faintly striate or smooth between sparse punctures. Median lobe of clypeus smooth, besides sparse, small punctures. Dorsum of head, mesosoma and petiolar node generally smooth and shining. Sides of mesosoma, at least on suture between mesopleuron and metapleuron, transversely striate or finely reticulate-rugose; most often this sculpture can be found on mesopleuron and metapleuron. Propodeal declivity transversely striate or rugulose. Standing hairs present on dorsum of head, mesosoma, petiolar node and gaster. Body color dark brown to reddish brown with lighter appendages.

Queen
Rakotonirina and Fisher (2014) - (2 specimens): HW: 0.92–0.94, HL: 1.33–1.34, CI: 69–70, SL: 1.17–1.18, SI: 126–127, PW: 0.77, WL: 1.95–1.96, PNH: 0.71–0.72, PNL: 0.47–0.48, PNW: 0.64–0.65, DNI: 135–137, LNI: 147–153. Characters as in worker but head broader, without ocelli and with shorter scape. Mesosoma with incomplete thoracic sclerites. In dorsal view, petiolar node much broader than long. Gastral segments enlarged.

Type Material
Rakotonirina and Fisher (2014) - Holotype worker, Madagascar, Fort-Dauphin (Sikora), AntWeb CASENT0101589 [examined].