Leptogenys laeviterga Zhou et al., 2012

Hamer, Matthew T., Lee, Jonathan Hon Chung, Tse, Cheung Yau Leo, Silva, Thiago S. R. & Guénard, Benoit, 2024, The Leptogenys Roger, 1861 (Formicidae, Ponerinae) of Hong Kong SAR with additional records from Guangdong, China, ZooKeys 1202, pp. 169-211 : 169-211

Leptogenys laeviterga Zhou et al., 2012

Figs 7 A , 16 , 21 B new record

Leptogenys laeviterga Zhou et al., 2012: 888, figs 1–3 (w.) China (Guangxi).

Measurements.

Worker (n = 1): HL 1.58; HLL 1.22; HLA 0.31; HW 1.07; CML 0.4; SL 1.99; AII 0.28; AFI 0.43; AFII 0.34; EL 0.28; ML 0.92; PrL 1.03; PrH 0.65; PrW 0.93; WL 2.78; PeL 0.76; PeH 0.84; PeW 0.59; DPL 0.62; CI 67.76; CLI 25.35; SI 185.26; OI 22.89; LPI 110.58; DPI 94.2.

Morphological variation.

Owing to the poor quality and quantity of specimens collected, little is known about the morphological variability of this species.

Comparative notes.

Leptogenys laeviterga is superficially similar to L. diminuta owing to similarly shaped triangular mandibles, broad petiole shape, as well as overall body size. However, L. laeviterga is readily differentiated by the distinct and conspicuous median clypeal carina; lack of costulate sculpture on the head, lack of teeth on the mandibular masticatory margin, and longer scapes (SL 1.90 – 1.99). Within the wider Indomalayan Leptogenys fauna, L. laeviterga is morphologically similar to L. sunzii Xu & He, 2015 , but can be differentiated by the truncated clypeal apex in L. laeviterga (pointed and convex in L. sunzii ), the smaller eyes (larger in L. sunzii ), and the higher than long petiole in L. sunzii whereas the petiole as long as high in L. laeviterga ( Xu and He 2015) .

Distribution.

Previously, L. laeviterga was only known from its type locality in Darning Mountain National Nature Reserve, Guangxi ( Zhou et al. 2012). Here we provide the first record of the species from Hong Kong, representing the eastern most record for this species thus far. The species should therefore be expected from Guangdong and other neighbouring provinces in China.

Ecology.

Very little is known of the ecology of L. laeviterga . Specimens (but not the whole colony) from Hong Kong were obtained from within a decaying log from an old growth secondary forest on the southern slopes of Tai Mo Shan (471 m a. s. l.), Hong Kong. Male specimens were obtained on the day of collection. Considering the sampling effort undertaken in Hong Kong, it is surprising that more L. laeviterga have not been collected, indicating the potential rarity of this species.

Material examined.

Workers (n = 3): China • 3 workers; Hong Kong SAR, Tai Mo Shan ; 22.40403, 114.10691; 471 m a. s. l.; 26 Aug. 2023; M. T. Hamer leg.; Secondary forest, ex. decay log; IBBL ANTWEB 1010142 , ANTWEB 1010155 , ANTWEB 1010156 .

Figures

Figure 7. Clypeus differences between Leptogenys laeviterga and L. kitteli A L. laeviterga (ANTWEB 1010142) B L. kitteli (RHL 02795).

Figure 16. Leptogenys laeviterga (ANTWEB 1010142) A lateral view B dorsal view C head face view.

Figure 21. Further distribution maps of Leptogenys species recorded from Hong Kong A L. kraepelini B L. laeviterga C L. peuqueti D L. rufida E L. strena. The base map displayed shows tree canopy cover with the darker green areas indicating greater tree cover.