Metapone titan, Taylor, Robert W. & Alpert, Gary D., 2016

Taylor, Robert W. & Alpert, Gary D., 2016, The myrmicine ant genus Metapone Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): a global taxonomic review with descriptions of twelve new species, Zootaxa 4105 (6), pp. 501-545 : 532-533

21. Metapone titan sp.n.

( Figs 111–115 )

Type locality. Papua New Guinea: New Ireland Province: Lemkamin. The type locality is not recognisable. It will be within 25km of an axis between 2°25’ 150° 23”S and 4° 51’ 152° 52”E.

Type deposition. ANIC (Type No. 32-069963).

Distribution, material examined.

Gyne diagnosis. General and diagnostic features, sculpture, pilosity and colour as illustrated and in the key to Melanesian and Pacific species above. Clypeus relatively broadly rostrate over almost its full width; anterior border straight; anterolateral corners slightly acute, anterolateral borders minutely concave apically, as illustrated. Petiole in dorsal view overall somewhat wider than long; dorsal posterolateral spines well developed, acute, apices minutely rounded. Subpetiolar edge concave, posterior subpetiolar angle approximately right angled, subpetiolar a relatively long, narrow posteriorly-directed hook-like process. Dimensions: TL ca.: 14.3, 16.0; HL: 2.86, 3.08; HW: 2.30, 2.51; CI: 80, 81; CpL: 1.22, 1.29; CpI: 42, 42; MSL: 4.31, 4.85; PetL: 0.99, 1.12; PetW: 1.32, 1.51; PetH: 1.55, 1.70; PpetL: 0.92, 0.98; PpetW: 1.26, 1.41; PpetH: 1.18, 1.36; GW: 2.41, 2.68.

Remarks. The large size (which we expect will also characterise the workers) immediately identifies M. titan among all Metapone species discussed here. The clypeal and petiolar structures and sculpturation are also unusual in the genus.

Figures

FIGURES 111 – 115. Metapone titan. holotype gyne, see text for dimensions.