Metapone quadridentata Eguchi, 1998

Taylor, Robert W. & Alpert, Gary D., 2016, The myrmicine ant genus Metapone Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): a global taxonomic review with descriptions of twelve new species, Zootaxa 4105 (6), pp. 501-545 : 521-522

11. Metapone quadridentata Eguchi, 1998

( Figs 52–55 )

Metapone quadridentata Eguchi, 1998: 605 , Figs 1–9 —Worker, Gyne, Male; Type locality: Poring [06N, 116E], Sabah, Malaysia.

Material examined. Four worker paratypes from the Katsusuki Eguchi collection; one now deposited in ANIC. M. quadridentata is known only from the original series (11 workers and a gyne) collected from a nest in rotten fallen wood, plus a single worker collected separately at the same locality ( Eguchi, 1998).

Worker diagnosis. General features as in original description ( Eguchi, 1998), the key to Asian species and illustrated here. Eyes relatively moderately large, multifaceted, maximum diameter around 2/3 the maximum width of an apical antennomere. Subpetiolar lamella in profile ( Fig. 55 ) an anteriorly positioned, erect, translucent, posteroventrally bluntly-pointed hook-like structure, behind which the ventral subpetiolar edge curves quite strongly to meet the subpetiolar angle which encloses approximately 90°in lateral view. Posterior subpetiolar face approximately equilaterally triangular in oblique view, its outer margins with a fine raised, translucent, laminate carina which is higher towards the apex of the posterior face, and forms a distinctive translucent margin to the posterior subpetiolar profile in lateral view, visually doubling the outline. Subpostpetiolar process barely inflated anteroventrally, forming a slightly acute angle in profile; the anterior face small, sub-semicircular in oblique view.

Dimensions: (After Eguchi, 1998): TL 4.9–8.3; HL: 1.11–1.91; HW: 0.76–1.33; CI: 68, 70. CpL: 0.43–0.68; CpI: 39, 36; MSL: 1.30–2.44; PML: 0.63–1.26; PMW: 0.55–1.07; PMI: 48, 56; PDW: 0.48–0.88; PetL: 0.33–0.63; PetW: 0.35–0.68; PetH: 0.50–0.88; PpetL: 0.33–0.64; PpetW: 0.42–0.83; GW: 0.80–1.41. The cited indices were calculated from Eguchi’s smallest and largest measurements for HL and HW (CI), HL and CpL (CpI) and MSL and PML (PMI). Cephalic proportions stated in the original description are equivalent to a CI range of 67–71, and the holotype has CI 71. Additional measurements are given with the original description. The smallest and largest of four paratype workers studied here have: HL (midline) 1.21, 1.68; HL (maximum) 1.26, 1.70; HW 0.87, 1.19; CI (based on midline HL) 72 71; PMW 0.57, 0.92. Note that Eguchi measured maximum HL so as to include the occipital lobes. Our measurements are taken from the midline of the occipital border.

Gyne diagnosis. See original description ( Eguchi, 1998).

Figures

FIGURES 52 – 55. Metapone quadridentata, paratype worker, HW 1.21, PNW 0.57, MSL 1.42.

FIGURES 1 – 4. Metapone madagascarica, holotype worker, see text for dimensions.

FIGURES 5 – 7. Metapone emersoni, worker, Perinet, Madagascar, HW 0.75, PMW 0.56, MSL 1.20.

FIGURES 8 – 11. Metapone vincimus, paratype worker, HW 0.75, PMW 0.56, MSL 1.20.