Leptanilla japonica, Baroni Urbani, 1977

Hamer, Matthew T., Weemaels, André Ibáñez, Fu, Yifan, Xuan, Liu, Tse, Cheung Yau Leo, Tang, Kit Lam & Guénard, Benoit, 2024, New insights into the diversity and distribution of Leptanillinae (Formicidae) within China, Zootaxa 5471 (1), pp. 99-112 : 107

Notes on Leptanilla japonica from Hong Kong

Leptanilla sp. cf. japonica (CASENT0914941) was first recorded from Hong Kong SAR based on a worker ( Wong & Guénard, 2016). In Griebenow (2024), it was stated that L. japonica occurred in Hong Kong, but communications with Z. Griebenow clarified that this specimen had not been examined. Morphological features of CASENT0914941 which differ to L.japonica include (but not limited to) a more narrow head with straight lateral margins, a wider propodeum and petiole in dorsal view, and reduced hair density across the head dorsum. We therefore redesignate this specimen as L. sp. cf. japonica , until more certifications can be made – ideally with the collection of more material. Intriguingly, multiple male specimens have been collected in Hong Kong that key to the Western Palaearctic Leptanilla tenuis Santschi, 1907 within Griebenow (2024). Such specimens differ enough from L. tenuis in their genital morphology and geographical range to be a new species (Griebenow pers. comm). Specifically, when compared to L. japonica , the gonostyli are slender and bifurcated in the Hong Kong specimens, but penial sclerites are similar. It is possible that these specimens are the male caste of L. sp. cf. japonica . We therefore postpone describing this species as new until a hopeful simultaneous collection of both workers and males, or indirect association using molecular data becomes available in the future.