Subfamilies
Links
Jack Longino's Ants of Costa Rica
American Museum Social Insects website
William and Emma Mackay Ants of North America site
sF Ponerinae Leptogenys
Leptogenys are rare predators of the litter. Jack Longino's Leptogenys pages presents a nice summary of what little is known about this group of fast, elongate ants. I often recover isopod remains in their nests. Their taxonomy is uncertain, and I am including Longino's text and images for species that appear likely to occur in Panama. Four alate males have been recorded in malaise traps on BCI. Species are sorted by the body length.
In usual resting position, mandibles flush against anterior border of clypeus; clypeus large and triangular, completely concealing labrum; petiolar node subcuboidal, with distinct vertical anterior and posterior faces in lateral view; face smooth and shining; HW 0.50-0.72mm; scapes relatively short.
When mandibles are in their usual resting position, with tips crossed, they project beyond anterior border of clypeus, leaving a distinct gap; clypeus reduced, leaving labrum largely exposed; hypostomal teeth reduced, barely or not visible in full-face view; head distinctly narrowed behind; face with large puncta (which may be dense or somewhat dispersed and shallow); dorsal and posterior faces of petiole meeting at nearly a right angle, not or only weakly produced as a posteriorly directed tooth; legs and scapes darker brown, not contrasting strongly with head and mesosoma.
When mandibles are in their usual resting position, with tips crossed, they project beyond anterior border of clypeus, leaving a distinct gap; clypeus reduced, leaving labrum largely exposed; hypostomal teeth reduced, barely or not visible in full-face view; head subquadrate, not narrowed posteriorly; face smooth and shining; dorsal and posterior faces of petiole meeting at an acute angle, forming a posteriorly directed tooth; legs and scapes orange, contrasting with the dark brown head and mesosoma.
When mandibles are in their usual resting position, with tips crossed, they project beyond anterior border of clypeus, leaving a distinct gap; clypeus reduced, leaving labrum largely exposed; hypostomal teeth strongly developed, in full-face view projecting conspicuously into gap between clypeus and mandibles; petiolar node subcuboidal, dorsal and posterior faces meeting at a rounded right angle; HW about 1.07mm; face smooth and shiny medially.
When mandibles are in their usual resting position, with tips crossed, they project beyond anterior border of clypeus, leaving a distinct gap; clypeus reduced, leaving labrum largely exposed; hypostomal teeth strongly developed, in full-face view projecting conspicuously into gap between clypeus and mandibles; dorsal and posterior faces of petiole meeting at an acute angle, forming a short, posteriorly directed tooth; HW about 1.40mm; face coarsely punctate throughout.
panamana WM Wheeler 1932
pubiceps Emery 1890
23Dec04
Last Updated: 20Dec2004