Metapone

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 : 533-534

Key to the Australian species of Metapone

1. Head flattened, its dorsal and ventral surfaces essentially parallel in lateral view. Mesosoma similarly flattened. Clypeus extended forwards over mandibles, its rostrum deeply concave on either side, anterior border straight, with relatively strong anterolateral denticles directed laterally. Subpetiolar extension lacking (southeast Queensland, gyne only, Figs 126–130 )............................................................................................ M. leae Wheeler

Head and mesosoma normally proportioned, ventral cephalic profile broadly rounded. Clypeus otherwise. Subpetiolar extension present, distinct................................................................................... 2

2(1) Smaller species, HW (gynes and workers) 0.83–0.92 mm, usually low in that range................................. 3

Larger species HW (gynes and workers) 0.96–1.42 mm, usually high in that range.................................. 5

3(2). Subpostpetiolar process in lateral view seen as a very narrow digitate process (Flinders Island, Tasmania, worker only, Figs 156–159 ).............................................................................. M. mathinnae sp.n.

Subpostpetiolar process broadly to narrowly rounded, not appearing narrowly digitate in profile (mainland Eastern Australia).................................................................................................... 4

4(3) Head relatively elongate and narrow in frontal view (CI 66–68). Petiolar node in dorsal view clearly much longer than wide. A species possibly restricted to dry sclerophyll habitats (apparently widespread in Eastern Australia, far north Queensland to Victoria and SE South Australia (gyne only, Figs 141–145 )...................................... M. tricolor McAreavey

Head in frontal view relatively broad (CI 75–77). Petiolar node in dorsal view very slightly longer than wide. Known only from tropical north Queensland rainforest habitat (gyne only, Figs 160–164 ).......................... M. tecklini sp.n.

5(2) Clypeus extended forwards as a broadly lobate rostrum approximately as long as the remaining body of the sclerite. Larger species. Head proportionately narrow (HW: worker 1.28–1.42 mm, CI 73; gyne HW 1.36–1.45 mm, CI 68–70) (worker and gyne, Figs 146 –155)................................................................... M. hoelldobleri sp.n

. Clypeus not notably anteriorly rostrate. Smaller species with less-narrowed heads (relevant worker dimensions 96–118 mm, CI 77–80; gynes 108–131 mm, 74–77)....................................................................... 6

6(5) Anterior border of clypeus somewhat obscurely bicuspid. A partly variable species: some (perhaps most) workers with very reduced or vestigial eyes, others with distinct multi-faceted eyes ( Fig 132 ). Petiolar node in workers and gynes in lateral view relatively high and narrow; subpetiolar extension in lateral view semicircular, its base occupying the whole subpetiolar edge ( Fig 130 ) (southeast Queensland, south from Big Tableland ca 22°30S’; northeast New South Wales, apparently ranging south from Dorrigo (30°S) distantly to ca 36°S in the Batemans Bay area)............................... M. tillyardi Wheeler

Anterior clypeal border without dentate projections; its outline straight to very feebly concave or convex; anteroventral extremities each with a small squarish excision. All workers apparently with reduced, vestigial eyes ( Figs 116, 117 ). Petiolar node in workers and gynes relatively small; subpetiolar extension in lateral view a posteriorly inclined triangle or low semicircle, its base anteriorly occupying about 2/3 of the subpetiolar edge ( Fig 120 ). (North Queensland)........ M. mjobergi Forel

Figures

FIGURES 126 – 130. M. leae, syntype gyne, HW 1.15, ScW 0.99, MSL 2.15.

FIGURES 156 – 159. M. mathinnae, holotype worker, see text for dimensions.

FIGURES 141 – 145. M. tricolor, holotype gyne, HW 0.89, ScW 0.79, MSL 2.33.

FIGURES 160 – 164. M. tecklini, holotype gyne, see text for dimensions.

FIGURES 146 – 150. M. hoelldobleri, holotype worker see text for dimensions; FIGURES 151 – 155. paratype gyne, HW 1.45, ScW 1.15, MSL 3.37.

FIGURES 131 – 136. M. tillyardi, worker, Brooklana, NSW, HW 1.01, PMW 0.91, MSL 1.83; FIGURES 137 – 140. gyne, HW 1.15, MSL 2.38.

FIGURES 116 – 120. M. mjobergi, worker, Lake Eacham National Park, HW 0.96, PMW 0.72, MSL 1.31; FIGURES 121 – 125. Gyne, Lake Barrine National Park, HW 1.14, ScW 1.06, MSL 2.48.