Leptogenys

Abstract: Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. is described from the Asir Mountains, Saudi Arabia, based on the worker caste. The new species is a member of the L. sulcinoda-group and appears closest to L. bellii Emery, 1901, originally described from Ethiopia. The likely male caste of L. polaszeki sp. n. is described based on a single specimen collected by a pitfall trap in the type locality.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5D3BF3AF-5308–48E8–8416–902278909AD5

Abstract: Background There are no well defined Leptogenys species groups based on the worker morphology from the Oriental region Arimoto (2017). Leptogenys chinensis forms a complex species group with closely related species having little morphological changes Wilson (1958), Sarnat and Economo (2012). From the Oriental region, there are currently 9 species belonging to the L. chinensis group. The group is diagnosed by having edentate masticatory margin of the mandible, smooth body surface, elongate antennae and metallic green cuticle. The species included are: L. assamensis; L. chinensis; L. confucii; L. kraepelini; L. laeviterga; L. pangui; L. peuqueti; L. stenocheilos and L. sunzii. New information Leptogenys bhartii sp. n., a new ponerine ant species from Western Himalayas, India, is described and illustrated based on the worker caste. The new species belongs to the Leptogenys chinensis group and mostly resembles Leptogenys chinensis (Mayr, 1870). In the L. chinensis group, the original description of L. stenocheilos is insufficient as it lacks information about type material. As there is no further detailing of this species in the available literature, it is difficult to ascertain its valid status Xu and He (2015) and is therefore, considered a species inquirenda herewith. A revised key to the known species of chinensis-group in the Oriental Region is provided.

Abstract: Two new species of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) collected from New Caledonia are described and figured based on worker specimens: Leptogenys loarelae Ramage sp. nov. (Ponerinae, Ponerini) and Lioponera neocaledonica Jouault, Ramage & Perrichot sp. nov. (Dorylinae, Cerapachyini). All specimens were collected from the South Province of Grande Terre. These two new species are primarily distinguished from the other New Caledonian relatives by the size and shape of petiole for L. loarelae Ramage sp. nov. and by the presence of dorsolateral margins on the mesosoma for L. neocaledonica Jouault, Ramage & Perrichot sp. nov. Keys to New Caledonian Leptogenys and Lioponera are provided.

Abstract: In North Central Sri Lanka the ant Leptogenys chinensis specialises in feeding on fungus-growing Macrotermitinae (Odontotermes, Hypotermes), which are the commonest termites in this area. They are captured at their feeding sites. The ants recognize the termites by the scent that they emit. Workers and sexuals are the preferred prey. Termites of other taxa (Nasutitermitinae, Rhinotermitidae) are sometimes accepted and sometimes rejected. Refusal and acceptance are not correlated with the systematic position of the termites. Usually the nests of L. chinensis comprise 200–300 workers. Externally the female ergatoids do not differ from the workers. The ants live in naturally available cavities and move nests frequently. We investigated the communication of this species in relation to foraging and nest-moving. While foraging, single workers lay a light and nest-moving. While foraging, single workers lay a light exploration trail with venom. Successful scouts return to the nest and perform recruiting runs. Experiments with various blocked pheromone glands and decoys showed that the secretions of the poison gland and the Janet gland have to be applied to the ground. By this means groups of workers are recruited and led to a feeding place by a scout. When the scout was removed such groups would still, although slightly disturbed, find their way to the prey. Workers running alone are also observed. The secretion of the Janet gland has a recruiting effect, whereas the venom consists of two compounds: a compound of low volatility responsible for orientation, and a highly volatile compound which we interpret as being a way of estimating the age of the trail. In most cases, the recruited workers return singly to the nest. Retrieval of prey in groups is primarily observed with captured termite sexuals. Males use the trails to find and enter alien nests. In addition to the three chemical signals, stridulation with the gastral stridulatory organ is used as a mechanical signal in the frequent event of nest-moving. This induces general stridulation in the nest and initiates nest-moving, which is accomplished within a few minutes.