Metapone kanak

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 based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: New Caledonia.

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).

Nomenclature

 *  kanak. Metapone kanak Taylor, 2018: 97, figs. 1-5 (q.) NEW CALEDONIA.

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. (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.