Leptogenys kitteli (Mayr, 1870)

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 kitteli (Mayr, 1870)

Figs 7 B , 8 B , 14 , 20 D

Lobopelta kitteli Mayr, 1870 b: 966 (w.) INDIA (Sikkim).

Leptogenys kitteli : Emery 1895: 461.

Leptogenys kitteli altisquamis [senior synonym] Forel, 1900 f: (w.) Myanmar: Xu and He 2015: 142. Of Leptogenys kitteli minor Forel, 1900 f: 307 (w.) India: Xu and He 2015: 142. Of Leptogenys kitteli siemsseni Viehmeyer, 1922: 203 , fig. 1 (w.) China: Xu and He 2015: 142.

Measurements.

Worker (n = 13): HL 1.72 – 1.87; HLL 1.37 – 1.53; HLA 0.37 – 0.47; HW 1.3 – 1.44; CML 0.33 – 0.45; SL 1.67 – 1.86; AII 0.21 – 0.32; AFI 0.32 – 0.37; AFII 0.29 – 0.33; EL 0.32 – 0.39; ML 0.73 – 0.94; PrL 0.97 – 1.14; PrH 0.7 – 0.85; PrW 0.97 – 1.06; WL 2.64 – 2.87; PeL 0.58 – 0.82; PeH 0.72 – 0.93; PeW 0.56 – 0.74; DPL 0.4 – 0.52; CI 71.27 – 81.04; CLI 18.21 – 25.62; SI 117.83 – 132; OI 21.94 – 26.5; LPI 107.98 – 158.96; DPI 116.12 – 147.26.

Morphological variation.

Specimens of L. kitteli show a wide range of variation in sculpture in different parts of the body. In most specimens, the fine costulae on the head run longitudinally across its entire surface; nonetheless, in some other specimens, some of the costulae converge medially, forming a concentric pattern similar to that found in L. diminuta . The mesosomal sculpturing varies even more when compared to the head sculpture; from fine costulae with interspaced foveae to irregular faint costulae throughout the mesosoma. The metanotal groove is deeply incised in the majority of specimens observed, with just a single specimen having a very shallow groove. Similar to L. diminuta , L. kitteli expresses a large degree of morphological variation across its wider geographical range and is likely a complex of species that would require further taxonomic investigation to resolve.

Comparative notes.

Leptogenys kitteli is most morphologically similar to L. diminuta within Hong Kong. Both species can be differentiated by the distinctly larger absolute size of L. kitteli , as well as the longitudinally striate pronotum, and absence of a longitudinal carinae on the clypeal dorsum.

Distribution.

Leptogenys kitteli is a widely distributed across the Indomalayan region, known from mainland China (Hainan, Guangxi, Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangxi, Fujian Zhejiang, Guangdong, Hubei, and Hong Kong SAR), Taiwan, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Nepal (; Xu and He 2015; Bharti et al. 2016; Janicki et al. 2016; Guénard et al. 2017; Khachonpisitsak et al. 2020). This species should be expected from Laos and Cambodia.

Ecology.

Leptogenys kitteli is known to forage in large groups of workers, preying upon termites, as well as earthworms ( Fellowes 1996). Similar to L. diminuta , colonies are known to move nesting locations and include up to several hundred individuals.

Material examined.

Workers (n = 36): China • 3 workers; Hong Kong SAR, Tai Mo Shan ; 28 Sep. 1992; J. R. Fellowes leg.; HKBM MBS 006891 , MBS 006892 . • 1 worker; Hong Kong SAR, Victoria Park ; 27 Jun. 1999; K. Eguchi leg.; HKBM MBS 006576 . • 1 worker; Hong Kong SAR, Victoria Park ; 27 Jun. 1999; SK. Yamane leg.; SKYC MBS 006586 , ANTWEB 1010189 , ANTWEB 1010190 . • 3 workers; Guangdong Prov., Hei Shi Ding ; 24 Apr. 1997; J. R. Fellowes leg.; HKBM MBS 006906 , MBS 006907 , MBS 006908 . • 1 worker; Guangdong Prov., Nankunshan ; 20 Mar. 1997; J. R. Fellowes leg.; HKBM MBS 015273 . • 1 worker; Guangdong Prov., Qi Mu Zhang ; 6 Apr. 1997; J. R. Fellowes leg.; HKBM MBS 015271 . • 2 workers; Guangdong Prov., Xin Jia Dong ; 4 May. 1998; J. R. Fellowes leg.; HKBM MBS 006577 . • 2 workers; Hong Kong SAR, The Peak ; 10 Sep. 2000; SK. Yamane leg.; SKYC ANTWEB 1010186 , ANTWEB 1010187 . • 1 worker; Hong Kong SAR, Aberdeen Reservoir ; 22.26, 114.163; 160 m a. s. l.; 29 Jun. 2015; Yu-Ying Luo leg.; IBBL YYL 00021 . • 1 worker; Hong Kong SAR, Tai Tam ; 22.2618, 114.2168; 360 m a. s. l.; 27 Jul. 2015; R. H. Lee leg.; Secondary forest, Pitfall trap; IBBL RHL 02795 . • 1 worker; Hong Kong SAR, The Peak ; 22.27603, 114.14199; 400 m a. s. l.; 17 Aug. 2015; R. H. Lee leg.; Secondary Forest, Pitfall trap; IBBL RHL 02638 . • 1 worker; Hong Kong SAR, Tai Mo Shan ; 22.41607, 114.12515; 800 m a. s. l.; 21 Jun. 2016; R. H. Lee leg.; Grassland, Pitfall trap; IBBL RHL 03564 . • 1 worker; Hong Kong SAR, Lung Fu Shan ; 22.27603, 114.14199; 400 m a. s. l.; 11 Jul. 2016; R. H. Lee leg.; Secondary forest, Bait trap; IBBL RHL-SIA- 091 . • 1 worker; Hong Kong SAR, Southern Shek O ; 22.25339, 114.24577; 190 m a. s. l.; 15 Jul. 2016; M. Pierce leg.; Secondary forest, Bait trap; IBBL ANTWEB 1009151 . • 1 worker; Hong Kong SAR, Deep Water Bay ; 22.25483, 114.18338; 107 m a. s. l.; 12 Aug. 2016; M. Pierce leg.; Secondary forest, Hand collection; IBBL ANTWEB 1009484 . • 1 worker; Hong Kong SAR, Nam Fung Road ; 22.2546, 114.1833; 120 m a. s. l.; 20 Aug. 2016; R. H. Lee leg.; Pitfall trap; IBBL RHL 003365 . • 1 worker; Hong Kong SAR, Deep Water Bay ; 22.25483, 114.18338; 107 m a. s. l.; 12 Sep. 2016; M. Pierce leg.; Subtropical dry forest, ground forager; IBBL ANTWEB 1009664 . • 1 worker; Hong Kong SAR, Tai Mo Shan ; 22.41099, 114.11917; 737 m a. s. l.; 2 Oct. 2016; C. Leung leg.; Secondary Forest, Bait trap; IBBL ANTWEB 1009149 . • 2 workers; Hong Kong SAR, Aberdeen ; 22.25571, 114.16254; 99 m a. s. l.; 20–23 Oct. 2017; M. Pierce leg.; Secondary forest, Pitfall; IBBL ANTWEB 1016994 , ANTWEB 1009645 . • 1 worker; Hong Kong SAR, Tai Mo Shan ; 22.4066, 114.12128; 760 m a. s. l.; 3 Oct. 2018; B. Morgan leg.; Hand collection; IBBL ANTWEB 1010122 . • 3 workers; Hong Kong SAR, Boa Vista ; 22.2555, 114.2243; 260 m a. s. l.; 10 Jun. 2020; R. Wang leg.; Pitfall; IBBL RWB 1236 , RWB 1237 , RWB 1238 . • 2 workers; Hong Kong SAR, Pok Fu Lam ; 22.26247, 114.1397; 217 m a. s. l.; 7 Apr. 2022; A. I. Weemaels & M. T. Hamer leg.; Secondary Forest, Winkler leaf litter Ex; IBBL PFL 1 T 2 W 3 - 1 , PFL 1 T 2 W 5 - 1 . • 6 workers; Hong Kong SAR; Magazine Gap ; 22.26819, 114.16578; 255 m a. s. l.; 17 Oct. 2023; C. Y. L. Tse leg.; Young secondary forest, ex. nest; IBBL MTH 680 .

Figures

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

Figure 8. Diverging mesosomal sculpture between L. diminuta and L. kitteli A L. diminuta (ANTWEB 1010183) B L. kitteli (PFL 1 T 2 W 5 - 1).

Figure 14. Leptogenys kitteli (PFL 1 T 2 W 3 - 1) A lateral view B dorsal view C head in full face view.

Figure 20. Distribution maps of Leptogenys species recorded from Hong Kong A L. binghamii B L. diminuta C L. grohli D L. kitteli. The base map displayed shows tree canopy cover with the darker green areas indicating greater tree cover.