Metapone nivanuatu

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Vanuatu.

Biology
Termite associates: Gross (1975: 392, tabs. 1 & 2) reported 12 Vanuatuan termite species (five of them endemic) in seven genera. At least five species in three families (Termitidae, Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae) were listed from Malekula Island (ibid., tab. 9). No scientific names were given for the species or genera. Any one of them could provide a host for Metapone nivanuatu sp.n. (see Taylor & Alpert 2016: 502).

Nomenclature

 *  nivanuatu. Metapone nivanuatu Taylor, 2018: 100, figs. 6-11 (q.) VANUATU.

Description
Worker diagnosis: General features as in the accompanying figures. Substantially larger than the Metapone philwardi holotype (compare measurements and indices above with those below: the standard dimensions TL, HW, MSL, and GW are all 1.4 to 1.5 times greater than those of philwardi). Anterior border of clypeal rostrum very slightly concave and squarely transverse; lateral borders moderately deeply concave, so that the anterolateral corners of the sclerite are sub-nodulate. Petiolar dorsum relatively broad compared to M. philwardi, with larger, more pronounced posterodorsal extensions. Sculpturing overall less intense than in philwardi: Mandibles smooth and shining. Clypeal rostrum smooth and shining (versus finely, densely longitudinally striate, except along the immediate anterior border in philwardi). Longitudinal striae of frons more coarse, less abundant and less regular than in M. philwardi. Promesonotum with a few somewhat effaced vestigial medial striae, otherwise unsculptured (versus finely and entirely longitudinally striate). Sides of mesosoma longitudinally and largely diagonally striate (inclined forwards); propodeal declivity, petiole, postpetiole and gaster smooth and shining (as in M. philwardi). Subpetiolar extension (Fig. 7) small, subtriangular, slightly hooked posteriorly; basally shorter and less-extended than in M. philwardi (Taylor & Alpert 2016: fig. 105). Colour pale brown, somewhat similar to M. philwardi but less brightly golden. The pilosity of the holotype is largely abraded and damaged, so comparison with M. philwardi is not possible. Dimensions (mm): TL: ca 10.6; HL: 2.39; HW: 1.95; CI: 62; CpL: 1.00; CpI: 42; MSL: 2.71; PML: 1.38; PMW: 1.33; PMI: 51; PDW: 1.05; PetL: 0.68; PetW: 0.92; PetH: 0.84; PpetL: 0.68; PpetW: 0.90; PpetH: 0.84; GW: 1.98.