Metapone kanak

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Metapone kanak
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Tribe: Crematogastrini
Genus: Metapone
Species: M. kanak
Binomial name
Metapone kanak
Taylor, 2018

Taylor 2018 Fig4a.jpg

Taylor 2018 fig4.jpg

Known only from the holotype alate gyne collected in a flight intercept trap.

Identification

Taylor (2018) - In the Taylor & Alpert key to the Micronesian, Melanesian and Pacific Metapone species, Metapone kanak runs to the terminal couplet separating the New Guinean Metapone enigmatica and the Fijian Metapone manni, which are also known only from alate gynes. The Metapone enigmatica type is larger than that of Metapone kanak, with a relatively broad head and quite different clypeal and petiolar structure (TL 8.8 mm, HW 1.48 mm; CI 85) (Taylor & Alpert, 2016, figs. 91 - 95). Metapone manni is a generally larger species with dissimilar petiolar structure, but similar head proportions (holotype and sole paratype: TL 7.1, 7.4; HW 1.02, 1.09; CI 77; ibid., figs. 96 - 100). The holotype of gyne-based Metapone salomonis (San Cristobel Island (= Makira), Solomon Islands) is smaller (HW 0.87 mm) and otherwise very different (ibid., figs. 106 - 110). The known Australian Metapone species (ibid., pp. 533 - 544) are all clearly taxonomically distinct from Metapone kanak.

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -21.566667° to -21.566667°.

 
North
Temperate
North
Subtropical
Tropical South
Subtropical
South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Australasian Region: New Caledonia (type locality).

Distribution based on AntMaps

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Distribution based on AntWeb specimens

Check data from AntWeb

Countries Occupied

Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species.
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Estimated Abundance

Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species.
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Biology

Taylor (2018) - The termite genera Microcerotermes (Termitidae), Neotermes, and Procryptotermes (both Kalotermitidae) were reported from New Caledonia without indication of the names or numbers of species by Bess (1970, table III, p. 469). Any of their constituent species could be hosts for Metapone kanak (see Taylor & Alpert, 2016: 502 for notes on Metapone / termite associations).

Castes

Nomenclature

The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.

  • kanak. Metapone kanak Taylor, 2018: 97, figs. 1-5 (q.) NEW CALEDONIA.
    • Type-material: holotype queen.
    • Type-locality: New Caledonia: S end of Col de Petchécara, 21°43’S, 166°07’E, 22.xiii.2003-28.i.2004, flight intercept trap (G.B. Monteith).
    • Type-depository: QMBA.
    • [Note; Taylor, 2018: 97, says that the holotype will later be deposited in MNHN.]
    • Distribution: New Caledonia..

Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.

Description

Queen

General features, morphology, bodily proportions, sculpturation, pilosity and color as in the accompanying figures. Wing venation matching that of Metapone balinensis and four other species illustrated by Taylor & Alpert (2016). Subpetiolar structure distinctive: posterior subpetiolar face inclined strongly anteroventrally, in profile fully 2/3 as long as the ventral subpetiolar edge; subpetiolar angle as a result slightly exceeding a right-angle. Subpetiolar extension translucent, relatively large, its base nearly as long as the ventral subpetiolar edge; shape as illustrated. Dimensions (mm): TL: ca 6.7; HL: 1.32; HW: 1.03; CI: 78; CpL: 0.49; CpI: 37; MSL: 2.16; PetL: 0.50; PetW: 0.60; PetH: 0.79; PpetL: 0.50; PpetW: 0.64; PpetH: 0.65; GW: 1.08.

Type Material

New Caledonia: South end of Col de Petchécara, 21° 34' S, 166° 07' E. Flight intercept trap, G.B. Monteith, 22.XI.2003 to 28.I.2004. The wings have been removed and are mounted with the specimen. Queensland Museum (Type number T239620, the specimen for future deposition in Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris).

Etymology

The name (a noun in apposition) celebrates the indigenous Kanak people of New Caledonia.

References