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 : 508

Key to African and Madagascan Metapone species (Workers)

1. Lateral margins of raised median portion of clypeus markedly convergent anteriorly from the level of the antennal insertions ( Fig 6 ). Petiolar dorsum from above approximately twice as wide as long ( Fig 6 ). Postpetiolar sternite in profile view appearing as a long, slender process ( Fig 5 ) ( Madagascar)............................................ M. emersoni Gregg

Lateral margins of raised median portion of clypeus essentially parallel, at most only slightly convergent anteriorly ( Fig 8 ). Petiolar dorsum from above quadrate to transverse, maximally only about 1.4x wider than long ( Fig 3 ). Postpetiolar sternite in side view extended as a much shorter process; digitate or acute in lateral view ( Fig 9 ), obtusely triangular in frontal view... 2

2(1) Median clypeal surface transversely flat to slightly convex; lateral borders not raised; anterior border entire, without median denticles, very slightly concave in frontal view, with a small step-like marginal excision on each side ( Figs 12, 15 ). Smaller species, HW> 0.76mm. ( Angola)........................................................... M. africana sp.n.

Median clypeal surface transversely concave, the lateral borders slightly raised, subcarinate; anterior border medially bidentate, lacking anterolateral marginal excisions ( Fig 1 ). Larger species, HW <0.90mm. ( Madagascar).................... 3

3(2) Petiolar node from above approximately as wide as long; postpetiolar sternum in side view bluntly rounded ( Figs 9, 11 )........................................................................................... M. vincimus Alpert

Petiole from above approximately 1.4 times as wide as long; postpetiolar sternum in side view forming a low acute point ( Figs 2, 3 )............................................................................. M. madagascarica Gregg

Figures

FIGURES 5 – 7. Metapone emersoni, worker, Perinet, Madagascar, HW 0.75, PMW 0.56, MSL 1.20.

FIGURES 8 – 11. Metapone vincimus, paratype worker, HW 0.75, PMW 0.56, MSL 1.20.

FIGURES 1 – 4. Metapone madagascarica, holotype worker, see text for dimensions.

FIGURES 12 – 15. Metapone africana sp. n., holotype worker, see text for dimensions.