Metapone mjobergi

Apparently endemic to the mountains and tablelands of the N.E. Queensland wet tropics at known elevations between 450 and 1000m. Labels indicate that all modern samples of gynes are from flight intercept or pitfall traps. The latter implying that mated gynes search partly on foot for termite host nests. (Taylor and Alpert 2016)

Identification
Anterior clypeal border without dentate projections; its outline straight to very feebly concave or convex; anteroventral extremities each with a small squarish excision. All workers apparently with reduced, vestigial eyes. Petiolar node in workers and gynes relatively small; subpetiolar extension in lateral view a posteriorly inclined triangle or low semicircle, its base anteriorly occupying about 2/3 of the subpetiolar edge. (North Queensland).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Biology
Taylor and Alpert (2016) - Sympatric with M. tecklini  on Mt Sampson and Windsor Tableland and with M. hoelldobleri  near Kuranda. M. mjobergi and M. tillyardi  are similar, possibly related species.

Nomenclature

 *  mjobergi. Metapone mjobergi Forel, 1915b: 36 (w.q.) AUSTRALIA. See also: Wheeler, W.M. 1919h: 181.

Worker
Taylor and Alpert (2016) - (smallest and largest specimens respectively from Kuranda and E of Lake Barrine, N =14): TL ca: 5.4, 6.9; HL: 1.23, 1.51; HW: 0.96, 1.18; CI: 78, 78; CpL: 0.45, 0.52; CpI: 37, 34; MSL: 1.31, 1.84; PML: 0.78, 0.99; PMW: 0.72, 0.97; PMI: 60, 54; PDW: 0.58, 0.78; PetL: 0.37, 0.46; PetW: 0.50, 0.78; PetH: 0.64, 0.82; PpetL: 0.36, 0.47; PpetW: 0.50, 0.63; PpetH: 0.54, 0.73; GW: 1.0, 1.33. The MHMG syntype worker is relatively large, with HL 1.60; HW 1.23; CI 77; PW 1.05; MSL 2.27.

General features as in original description (Forel, 1914), as illustrated here and cited in the key to Australian species. Clypeus projecting anteriorly shortly beyond its lateral sections, not rostrate; anterior border shorter than the width of the body of the sclerite, stepped inwards at each corner; anterior border feebly concave to feebly convex. Eyes vestigial, very small and somewhat obscure, with 3 to 5 minute, irregular, indistinct facets. No evidence of polymorphism in eye size, as seen in Metapone tillyardi. Petiolar node approximately twice as wide as long in dorsal view. Subpetiolar extension shallowly sub-semicircular to triangular, its apex inclined forwards, base about 3/4 as long as subpetiolar edge. Posterior subpetiolar face triangular, margined laterally but not apically. Subpostpetiolar process an acute point in lateral view. Sculpturation as illustrated.

Queen
Taylor and Alpert (2016) - (smallest (Lake Eacham) and largest (Wallaman Falls Rd) available specimens (N= 35): TL: ca 8.0, 9.0; HL: 1.55, 1.72; HW: 1.14, 1.31; CI: 74, 76; CpL: 0.54, 0.65; CpI: 35, 37; MSL: 2.48, 2.77; ScW: 1.06, 1.12; PetL: 0.55, 0.63; PetW: 0.61, 0.68; PetH: 0.80, 0.93; PpetL: 0.56, 0.61; PpetW: 0.77, 0.89; PpetH: 0.71, 0.87; GW: 1.17, 1.43.

General features as in original description (Forel, 1915), as illustrated and in the key to Australian species. Petiole in dorsal view about as wide as long with strong posterolateral denticles. Clypeus and subpetiolar process as in worker; subpostpetiolar process in lateral view shorter, less acute, narrowly rounded apically.

Type Material
Taylor and Alpert (2016) - Worker, Gyne: Malanda [17°21’S, 145°35’E], N. Queensland.