Skip to main content
Entomology 2023 Main banner
Bayer
Icon Legend
This session is not in your schedule.
This session is in your schedule. Click again to remove it.
Presentation Icons
In-Person
In-Person
On-Demand
On-Demand
Student Competition
Student Competition
Poster
Poster
Ticketed Event
Ticketed Event
Back
ViewAttendees 3

Student 10-Minute Paper

Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity

Student Competition

Student

Undergrad Competition SysEB: Biodiversity and Morphology

(1st Place) A preliminary taxonomic revision of Mesoamerican Nylanderia based on morphometric indices highlighting potential new species

Monday, November 6, 2023
8:00 AM – 8:12 AM ET
Location: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Chesapeake J-K
In-Person Student Competition
Genus Nylanderia, within subfamily Formicinae, is a globally distributed and highly diverse monophyletic taxonomic group, with over 123 described species and the potential for many undescribed species. At least 15 species found within 5 distinct lineages are recognized as globetrotting, characterized by their widespread distributions and significant economic, agricultural, and conservational importance. In this study, 54 Mesoamerican Nylanderia specimens were photographed and examined. ImageJ was used to measure and quantify species-level anatomic differences between specimens, with each data point represented by 4 replicates. Morphometric indices were calculated to better assess species boundaries which identified 5 independent morphospecies defined by corroborating data from multiple index comparisons and visual morphology. One particular morphospecies, collected from elevations above 2000m in 10 localities, is uniquely large and demonstrates distinct measurements suggesting it may be a newly documented independent species. This study aids a taxonomic revision of Mesoamerican Nylanderia, and will contribute to a global genus-wide revision made imperative by the historic misidentification of the genus due to its large geographical range, morphological convergence, and the adventive nature of some species. We hope to contribute to a proactive approach in controlling the further spread of globetrotting Nylanderia centered around accurate taxonomic identification through diagnostic anatomical measurements.