Metapone mathinnae

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  mathinnae. Metapone mathinnae Taylor & Alpert, 2016: 542, figs. 156-159 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Description
Worker diagnosis. General and diagnostic features as illustrated. Readily identified in the key to Australian species above. Smaller than other known Australian Metapone workers (M. mjobergi, M. hoelldobleri and M. tillyardi), and probably those of the gyne-based species (assuming likely relative gyne/worker sizes). Lateral clypeal borders straight, anteriorly convergent. Anterior clypeal border slightly concave, anteroventral corners angular to subdentate in frontal view. Eyes minute, maximum diameter ca 0.04 mm, with minimal surface structure visible in reflected light and several very indistinct minute facets. Subpetiolar process much as in the three species just cited, especially the first two (see Figs). Subpostpetiolar process distinctive among Australian species and unusual in Metapone at large—a thin semicircular transverse plate, more slender and parallel-sided in profile than those of any other known Australian species.

Etymology. Named for the martyred native Tasmanian Mathinna (1835–1852), the adopted, Europeanised daughter of 1837–1843 “Van Diemen’s Land” Lieutenant Governor John Franklin (of previous and later Arctic exploration fame) and his wife Lady Jane (Griffin) Franklin. Mathinna was abandoned when the Franklins returned to England from Tasmania in 1843, and died tragically, socially rejected, soon afterwards (see Flanagan, 2008).