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Globally, potentially hundreds of Nylanderia species remain undescribed, hidden within several broadly distributed complexes of morphologically cryptic species. By integrating phylogenomics, geography, and morphology, we describe eight new Nylanderia species from southern Mexico and Mesoamerica, increasing the total number of known species in the genus to 131. In the Americas, Nylanderia is divided into two distantly related clades: American Clade I (AC1) and American Clade II (AC2). Within AC1, Nylanderia austroccidua (Trager) was originally described as a widespread and morphologically variable species distributed from Utah to Costa Rica. This species was diagnosed by a slight concavity in the anterior face of the pronotum and varying degrees of fine cuticular microsculpturing across the body that causes blue cuticular iridescence under microscopic examination. Using Ultraconserved Elements (UCEs) for molecular phylogenetic analysis, we found that taxa matching the original description of N. austroccidua are paraphyletic with respect to Nearctic Nylanderia species. We also found that AC1 includes a Neotropical subclade extending into Mesoamerica, the distribution of which overlaps with AC2, which is exclusively Neotropical. Along with an updated description of N. austroccidua, we also describe the following new species belonging to clade AC1: N. breviscapa, sp. nov., N. contraria, sp. nov., N. lazulina, sp. nov., N. luceata, sp. nov., N. mendax sp. nov., N. mosaica sp. nov., N. polita sp. nov., and N. usul, sp. nov. A dichotomous key and images of the worker caste of these species are included and, where available, images of queens and males are provided.
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This content will become publicly available on September 1, 2026
Scaling up taxonomic training through a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) and descriptions of 4 new ant species in the genus Nylanderia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Widespread concern about the “decline of taxonomy” has motivated calls to action to re-invigorate the field by enhancing taxonomic training, along with increasing taxonomy funding and positions, improving citation rates, and describing species more rapidly. Taxonomic training has historically been apprentice style, with individuals training for years under expert guidance. This approach offers a rich learning experience but inherently limits trainee number and relies on students’ earlier exposure to taxonomy. We describe a scaled-up taxonomic training model using a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) to provide early taxonomy research experience and broadly applicable scientific research skills. Results from a 45-student taxonomy-focused course conducted concurrently at 2 universities resulted in increased interest in taxonomic revisions and ability to explain taxonomic concepts, with one-third of students developing more interest in taxonomic careers. General science skill development was high when compared to a large sample of other CURE courses. The research focus of the course was taxonomic revision of the ant genus Nylanderia in Meso-America; students worked with instructors to delimit and describe new species. Here, we present 4 newly described species: Nylanderia ambulator, sp. nov. Nylanderia aurantia, sp. nov., Nylanderia collaborans, sp. nov., and Nylanderia maximon, sp. nov., with an additional 13 putative species noted for further revisionary work. This expanded taxonomic training model combines hands-on research experience with peer-learning and caters to students with minimal exposure to taxonomy. As a result, this approach broadens recruitment to more diverse audiences and results in enhanced awareness of and appreciation for taxonomy.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2026772
- PAR ID:
- 10643673
- Editor(s):
- Song, Hojun
- Publisher / Repository:
- Oxford Academic
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Insect Systematics and Diversity
- Volume:
- 9
- Issue:
- 5
- ISSN:
- 2399-3421
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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