D3171: Antomology: A Taxonomic revision of Mesoamerican Nylanderia based on diagnostic morphological measurements

The ant subfamily Formicinae contains the widely distributed and abundant genus Nylanderia. Morphological differences in this genus can be subtle, making species-level comparisons challenging. Consequently, many species within the Nylanderia genus still need to be described, given its extensive range and nuanced variations. This study aims to contribute to the ongoing taxonomic revision of Nylanderia by providing diagnostic anatomical measurements for interspecific species comparisons. A total of 174 specimens were collected from the neotropics, and anatomical traits such as scape length and head width were measured using ImageJ software. To ensure accuracy, the data points were replicated 12-16 times. This poster provides preliminary data for a hypothesized grouping of morphospecies with notably large anatomical measurements found at elevations exceeding 200m across ten localities. Within this grouping, ten samples, including male and female specimens, were separated from the rest of the data set due to their unique morphology and ecological niches. This research will involve several additional steps, including comparison with other findings and molecular analysis, to identify established and novel species within the data set. Nylanderia, known for harboring various invasive species such as the Tawny Crazy ant (N. fulva) with other species potentially invasive, underscores the significance of taxonomic revision in invasive species control, carrying implications for agricultural practices and biodiversity conservation.