Leptogenys manongarivo

The only specimens are a few workers that were found foraging on the ground in a single collecting event, suggesting that the species is locally endemic.

Identification
A member of the attenuata species group. Rakotonirina and Fisher (2014) - Worker. Length of third antennal segment less than twice the length of the second; eye breaking outline of sides of head; basal half of mandible finely longitudinally striate; finely microreticulate, interspersed with punctulae; side of propodeum smooth; posterodorsal angle of node projecting posteriorly and overhanging its posterior margin.

Leptogenys manongarivo is similar to Leptogenys grandidieri with respect to the shape of the petiolar node, whose posterodorsal margin feebly overhangs the posterolateral margin, but L. manongarivo is easily distinguished by the smooth surface of the sides of its mesosoma, while L. grandidieri is characterized by the presence of sculpture on the sides of the mesosoma.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Habitat
This species is restricted to the rainforest of the RS Manongarivo in northwestern Madagascar

Nomenclature

 *  . Leptogenys  Rakotonirina & Fisher, 2014: 60, figs. 27A, 70, 83 (w.) MADAGASCAR.

Worker
(7 specimens). HW: 0.96–0.98, HL: 1.41–1.42, CI: 68–69, SL: 1.57–1.61, SI: 163–164, PW: 0.80–0.83, WL: 2.27–2.28, PNH: 0.59–0.60, PNL: 0.57–0.58, PNW: 0.42–0.42, DNI: 73–74, LNI: 103–105.

Head subrectangular and longer than broad; width greatest at about mid-length immediately behind the eye; side slightly convex, posterior margin more or less straight. In full-face view, eye medium-sized, maximum diameter roughly one-fourth the length of lateral cephalic border; breaking outline of sides of head. Antennal scape long, more than one-third of of its length surpassing posterior cephalic border. Length of third antennal segment less than twice the length of the second. Inner margin of mandible with short, angulate preapical tooth at its broadest width. In side view, propodeal posterior margin with toothlike lobe at level of spiracle. With petiole in lateral view, posterodorsal angle slightly overhanging posterolateral margin of node; node inclined, anterior face short, forming a convex line with dorsal margin, posterior face high; node relatively higher than long. Mandible finely microreticulate, with sparse punctulae; median lobe of clypeus coarsely striate. Lateral surface of mesosoma generally smooth and shining; propodeal declivity distinctly transversely striate. Dorsum of head and body covered with standing hairs and pubescence. Color dark brown to brown; appendages and gaster brown with much lighter apices.

Type Material
Holotype worker: Madagascar, Antsiranana, RS Manongarivo, 12.8 km 228° SW Antanambao, -13.9767, 48.4233, 780 m, rainforest, ground forarger, 11–17 Oct. 1998 (B.L. Fisher) collection code BLF01859, specimen code: CASENT0247267. Paratypes: 6 workers with the same data as holotype but with the following specimen codes: CASENT015360, CASENT0196539, CASENT0196540, CASENT0247269, CASENT0247268, CASENT0247270 (CASC,, , ).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * 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.