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Metapone kanak
| 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
| |
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 |
- Source: AntMaps
Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: New Caledonia (type locality).
Distribution based on AntMaps
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.