Formicidae, Hymenoptera, Insecta, Arthropoda, Animalia
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Image of petiole.
Range
Costa Rica (type locality), Panama, Jamaica, Cuba, Grenada. Costa Rica: Atlantic and southern Pacific lowlands.
Identification
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.
Natural History
I know this species from four collections: (1) Casa Verde turtle research station in Tortuguero, a stray worker; (2) Sirena, Corcovado National Park, a column crossing a trail, in which one worker carried isopod prey held above its head; (3) Sirena, a stray worker; and (4) Panama Canal Zone, workers collected by W. L. Brown, Jr.
Type data
Leptogenys punctaticeps Emery 1890:62. Syntype worker: Jimenez (Alfaro).
Notes
The type locality of punctaticeps is Jimenez, a site near present-day Guapiles, in the Atlantic lowlands of Costa Rica. The original description of punctaticeps is insufficient to differentiate several Leptogenys species that occur in this area, and I have not examined the type. However, I have in my collection material from Panama, identified as punctaticeps by W. L. Brown, that matches my current concept of this species. Kempf (1972) lists Jamaica, Cuba, and Grenada in the geographic range of punctaticeps, but I have not verified these records.
Literature Cited
Emery, C. 1890. Voyage de M. E. Simon au Venezuela (Decembre 1887 - Avril 1888). Formicides. Ann. Soc. Entomol. Fr. (6)10:55-76.
Page author:
John T. Longino, The Evergreen State College, Olympia WA 98505 USA. longinoj@evergreen.edu
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