ASIAN
MYRMECOLOGY
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online first (online version of paper published before print issue)
Taxonomy
DOI: 10.20362/am.010008
Asian Myrmecology 10: e010008 (1-31)
article first published online 01/August/2018
Taxonomy of the Leptogenys chalybaea species group (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Ponerinae) from Southeast Asia
KÔICHI ARIMOTO1, 2* & SEIKI YAMANE3
Abstract:
Leptogenys atra sp. n., L. chalybaea, and L. cyanicatena sp. n. are described from Southeast Asia. These three species are distinguished from other congeners by their eye position and the shapes of the clypeal median lobe and petiolar node. The L. chalybaea species group is proposed based on the similarity of these three species. A key to the species in this group is provided. Colonies of this group contain many ergatoid queens, of which virgin queens do not reproduce, but instead remain in the colony. We believe that they form a multi-purpose caste that can either reproduce or function as helpers. Chain-making behavior for the collective transport of food was confirmed in L. atra and L. cyanicatena. Furthermore, as supporting information, an update key to the Oriental species of Leptogenys is presented.
Keywords:
ants, new species, Oriental region, Ponerini, redescription
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1Entomological Laboratory, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Hakozaki 6–10–1, Fukuoka, 812–8581 Japan
2JT Biohistory Research Hall, Murasaki Town 1–1, Takatsuki City, Osaka, 569–1125, Japan
3Kagoshima University Museum, Kagoshima, 890–0065 Japan
*Corresponding author: antbeginning@gmail.com
