Metapone tillyardi

Apparently widespread in southeast Queensland and northeastern New South Wales, at least between S latitudes 22 and 35. The types were almost certainly collected in rainforest at Dorrigo National Park (30°22'S, 152°45'E). Worker/gyne identity of unassociated specimens is confirmed by the Lords Table series.

Identification
Anterior border of clypeus somewhat obscurely bicuspid. A partly variable species: some (perhaps most) workers with very reduced or vestigial eyes, others with distinct multi-faceted eyes (Fig 132). Petiolar node in workers and gynes in lateral view relatively high and narrow; subpetiolar extension in lateral view semicircular, its base occupying the whole subpetiolar edge (Fig 130) (southeast Queensland, south from Big Tableland ca 22° 30S’; northeast New South Wales, apparently ranging south from Dorrigo (30° S) distantly to ca 36° S in the Batemans Bay area).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  tillyardi. Metapone tillyardi Wheeler, W.M. 1919h: 187, fig. 6 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Description
Worker diagnosis. General and diagnostic features as illustrated and keyed here, and in Wheeler’s detailed (1919b) description and figures. Note however that the original description (Wheeler, 1919b) did not mention that some of the worker types have reduced eyes, and less massive propodeal and waist node configuration than that of the lectotype (see above). Clypeus projecting anteriorly less than in M. mjobergi; anterior border somewhat obscurely bicuspid, with a pair of blunt projections at approximately its outer quarters, the space between them shallowly excavated, concave and raised almost to their apices. Eyes and waist nodes as discussed above. Subpetiolar process differing from M. mjobergi as in couplet 6 of the key to Australian species above. Posterior subpetiolar face as in M. mjobergi. The Sunshine Bay specimens are relatively small and gracile and have reduced petioles. They were taken from a colony which might not have been large enough ergonomically to produce large, less-gracile workers.