Leptogenys emiliae Forel, 1902

Baidwan, Parvinder Singh, Kapoor, Rakeshwar & Bharti, Harmanbir Kaur Randhawa And Himender, 2024, Description of Diacamma rugosum jerdoni (Insecta: Hymenoptera) male with two new additions to the myrmecofaunal diversity of Kerala, Halteres 14, pp. 20-30 : 27-28

Leptogenys emiliae Forel, 1902 ( Fig. 6)

Leptogenys (Lobopelta) emiliae Forel, 1902: 294 . Type locality: India (Gujarat [ Guzerath ]) [Syntype: MHNG]. [Images of CASENT0907374 lectotype worker examined].

Worker diagnosis:

The petiole of this species is nodiform and the head is smooth. The first gastral segment is predominantly smooth, exhibiting only widely spaced sparse piligerous punctulae. In dorsal view, the petiolar node is either broader than long or approximately as broad as it is long. The dorsum of the petiole is broadly rounded in lateral view. The cephalic dorsum is smooth and shining, with, at most, sparse piligerous punctulae. The pronotum is scrobiculate. This species bears a close resemblance to Leptogenys lucidula . However, a distinguishing feature is observed in the pronotum; in L. lucidula , the pronotum is smooth.

Material examined: INDIA, Kerala, Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary 10.474444 N 76.48888 E, 248 m, Hand picking, 14-1-2023, 3w., Parvinder Singh Baidwan leg. ( PUAC) .

The habitats of the documented species were primarily within mixed tropical rainforest ecosystems. The microhabitats for each species were as follows: Diacamma rugosum jerdoni was predominantly found beneath stones, Crematogaster dalyi exhibited arboreal nesting behavior and constructed carton nests and Leptogenys emiliae was located in decomposing wood. A view of each species habitat is provided in Fig. 7.

The newly determined species contribute to Kerala's diverse ant fauna, now comprising eleven Crematogaster and seventeen Leptogenys species. A species list of these two genera is given in table 2. As a part of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, Kerala's rich biodiversity holds promise for further discoveries through ongoing surveys, showcasing the need for continued exploration and conservation efforts.