Metapone wallaceana, 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 : 524-525

14. Metapone wallaceana sp.n.

( Figs 66–70 )

Type locality. INDONESIA: Lombok: Gaanga District, Rampek Village, 0 8°22’S x 116°15’E. Type deposition. holotype in MZBI.

Distribution, material examined. Known only from the unique holotype dealate gyne, collected with 2 worker pupae by Katsuyuki Eguchi (16 May 2006, ex soft rotting fallen log, edge of well-developed forest, ca 860m, colony Eg 16V06-17). Eguchi’s field notes recognize the series as a founding gyne with initial brood, but do not specify whether associated termites were present (K. Eguchi, pers com.).

Gyne diagnosis. General and diagnostic features as illustrated and in the key to Asian species above. Lateral borders of clypeus strongly anteriorly convergent; anterior border shallowly concave between subdentate anterolateral angles. Mesosoma (including propodeum) and head (except its underside) finely longitudinally striate; striae of mesepisternum and katepisternum dissimilar in orientation. Posterior face of subpetiolar process reduced, semicircular in oblique view. Subpetiolar angle in side-view vestigial, broadly rounded; profile of posterior subpetiolar face grading smoothly to join subpetiolar edge. Subpetiolar extension small, as illustrated, obtusely triangular, barely translucent.

Dimensions: TL 7.8; HL 1.34; HW (across eyes) 1.02; CI 76; MSL 2.20; PW 0.79; PetW 0.51; PetH 0.84; PpetW 0.66.

Etymology. Named for the biogeographic province of Wallacea.

Figures

FIGURES 66 – 70. Metapone wallaceana, holotype gyne, see text for dimensions.