Abstract
We report three new species of the ant genus Leptanilloides from Andean Ecuador. Leptanilloides nomada sp. n. and L. caracola sp. n. are described from the worker caste, the latter from a unique specimen; L. nubecula sp. n. is described from workers, males, and two gyne subcastes previously unknown for the entire subfamily. Phenotypic variation in morphological characters in the new species L. nomada and L. nubecula is more plastic than suggested by the traditional generic diagnosis. These records represent the first case of three Leptanilloides species occurring in sympatry. We discuss aspects of the army ant syndrome and its relevance to the genus Leptanilloides.Tres nuevas especies del género de hormigas Leptanilloides son descritas a partir de especimenes encontrados en Los Andes ecuatorianos. Leptanilloides nomada sp. n. y L. caracola sp. n. son descritas en base a obreras, ésta última es descrita a partir de un sólo espécimen. L. nubecula sp. n. es descrita en base a obreras, machos y dos subcastas de ginas previamente desconocidas para toda la subfamilia. La variación fenotípica encontrada en algunos caracteres morfológicos de las nuevas especies L. nomada y L. nubecula es más plástica de lo que sugiere la diagnosis genérica tradicional. Estos registros constituyen el primer ejemplo de tres especies de Leptanilloides viviendo en simpatría. Discutimos aspectos del síndrome de las hormigas legionarias y su aplicación al género Leptanilloides.References
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