Leptogenys

Leptogenys are monomorphic ground dwelling ants. Their nest are commonly found either in or under fallen tree trunks or branches. Typically Leptogenys ranges in size from 4 millimeters to 10 millimeters. Most species are 10 millimeters or less in total length (TL). This genus is classified under army ants though not all species in this genus exhibit all the army ants characteristics.

Leptogenys (of this location) broadly falls under two types (categories or groups) one which is an above ground forager and the other a mostly subterranean forager. The above ground species and are fast running with proportionately longer limbs and a slimmer body (longer and narrower overall) and typified by a broader petiole node profile. The other type or group are mostly subterranean and typically has relatively broader and larger heads and slightly shorter legs.

Leptogenys diminuta is a fast running mainly nocturnal ant with 'slippery' feet. The standing body length from tip of mandibles (when closed) to tip of abdomen is around 6mm. Some species of this genus exhibit 'army' ants characteristics with a considerably larger nest numbers and a more formidable and larger head proportionately to its body and are much more aggressive.

 Of the mostly subterranean foragers the petiole is narrow and disc shaped (profile view)

 The faster running above ground foragers has thicker petiole and narrower and longer heads.

Leptogenys diminuta

Workers of the ant Leptogenys diminuta.

Leptogenys diminuta (TL 6 mm)

Leptogenys diminuta worker with a larva.

Leptogenys diminuta carrying a pupa.

Leptogenys diminuta workers tending to the brood.

Leptogenys Sp2.

This is a small brown colored species of Leptogenys measuring at only 4 millimeters (TL).

 Leptogenys sp worker.

Workers of Leptogenys sp with a pupa.

Workers of Leptogenys two of which are still in their callow colors.

Callow workers of Leptogenys sp with pupae.

The queen of this Leptogensy species.

The queen of a Leptogensy species

The male or drone of this Leptogensy species

The queen of this Leptogensy species

The queen with workers and brood of this Leptogensy species

Leptogenys sp3.

A small Leptogenys species at 4 mm (TL). This black or black brown colored species though the same in total length as the second species above. is slimmer particularly the head than the previous species above.

Leptogenys Sp4.

A Leptogenys that has the characteristic Army ants behavior in their foraging hunt.

 This species of Leptogenys has a much larger head in proportion to its body than the typical Leptogenys. If compared with Dorylus you might observed some similarities in the head and mandibles design.

A callow worker of Leptogenys.

This (measuring around 8 mm) is the second largest species of this heavier type I collected. Though shorter than sp9 (9 mm) this species has a bulkier appearance.

Leptogenys sp8

This species is around 6.5 mm.

Leptogenys sp5

Leptogenys sp9

This is the largest species of Type 2, measuring around 9 mm.

Leptogenys sp(10)

Leptogenys sp(11)

Leptogenys sp(12)

Leptogenys sp(13)

 Leptogenys sp(13) is around 7 mm (TL)

Leptogenys sp(15)

This species defers from the rest (above) in that the head and thorax is not glossy looking (smooth).

Taxonomy:

Top Node: cellular organisms
Superkingdom: Eukayota 2759
Opisthokonta 33154
Kingdom: Metazoa 33208 (aka Animalia)
(No Rank): Eumetazoa 6072
(No Rank): Bilateria 33213
(No Rank): Protostomia 33317
(No Rank): Ecdysozoa 1206784
(No Rank):Panarthropoda 88770
Phylum: Arthropoda 6656
(No Rank): Mandibulata 197563
(No Rank): Pancrustacea 197562
Superclass: Hexapoda 6960
Class: Insecta 50557
(No Rank): Dicondylia 85512
(No Rank): Petrygota 7496
Subclass: Neoptera33340
Infraclass: Endopterygota 33392
Order: Hymenoptera 7399
(No Rank): Apocrita 7400
Suborder: Aculeata 7434
Superfamily: Vespoidea 34725
Family: Formicidae 36668
Subfamily: Ponerinae 43085
Tribe: Ponerini 141711
Genus: Leptogenys 219782
Species: diminuta 411755


Last Updated: 2018 04 05
First Posted: 2011 05 02
© 2011 – 2018 Quah. All rights reserved.