Steven O. Shattuck

Phylogeny and taxonomy of the Prenolepis genus‐group of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract. We investigated the phylogeny and taxonomy of the Prenolepis genus‐group, a clade of ants we define within the subfamily Formicinae comprising the genera Euprenolepis, Nylanderia, gen. rev., Paraparatrechina, gen. rev. & stat. nov., Paratrechina, Prenolepis and Pseudolasius. We inferred a phylogeny of the Prenolepis genus‐group using DNA sequence data from five genes (CAD, EF1αF1, EF1αF2, wingless and COI) sampled from 50 taxa. Based on the results of this phylogeny the taxonomy of the Prenolepis genus‐group was re‐examined. Paratrechina (broad sense) species segregated into three distinct, robust clades. Paratrechina longicornis represents a distinct lineage, a result consistent with morphological evidence; because this is the type species for the genus, Paratrechina is redefined as a monotypic genus. Two formerly synonymized subgenera, Nylanderia and Paraparatrechina, are raised to generic status in order to provide names for the other two clades. The majority of taxa formerly placed in Paratrechina, 133 species and subspecies, are transferred to Nylanderia, and 28 species and subspecies are transferred to Paraparatrechina. In addition, two species are transferred from Pseudolasius to Paraparatrechina and one species of Pseudolasius is transferred to Nylanderia. A morphological diagnosis for the worker caste of all six genera is provided, with a discussion of the morphological characters used to define each genus. Two genera, Prenolepis and Pseudolasius, were not recovered as monophyletic by the molecular data, and the implications of this result are discussed. A worker‐based key to the genera of the Prenolepis genus‐group is provided.

Generic-level relationships within the ant subfamily Dolichoderinae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

A cladistic analysis was undertaken to determine relationships among extant genera of the ant subfamily Dolichoderinae. Twenty‐one of the twenty‐two currently recognized genera within the subfamily were examined using 104 morphological characters. A single fully resolved, most‐parsimonious tree was found when a combination of ordered and unordered characters was used. When all characters were coded as unordered, seventy most‐parsimonious trees were found. The following results were found with both character coding methods. Leptomyrmex was placed basal to the remainder of the subfamily and the monophyletic sets Dolichoderus+Liometopum+Axinidris+Tapinoma+Technomyrmex, Froggattella+Iridomyrmex+Ochetellus+Papyrius+Philidris+Turneria, and Bothriomyrmex+Dorymyrmex + Forelius + Loweriella were suggested. The genera Linepithema and Doleromyrma showed a small amount of instability in moving between neighbouring sister groups when the character coding method changed. The genera Anillidris and Anonychomyrma were difficult to place as they showed major differences in their positions between the two character coding methods.

Species of Pheidole Westwood (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) established in New Zealand

Abstract Three species of the genus Pheidole Westwood are known to be established in New Zealand: P. megacephala (Fab.), P. rugosula Forel, and P. vigilans (Smith). All appear to be restricted to the northernmost regions of Auckland and Northland, except P. rugosula, which is also found in the Waikato area. An illustrated key is provided to major and minor workers of these three species. The subspecies P. variabilis rugosula Forel is raised to full species status after examination of type material.

Monograph of Nylanderia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the World: An introduction to the systematics and biology of the genus

This paper serves as an introduction to a world monographic series addressing the species-level taxonomy of the ant genus Nylanderia. This series will consist of several regionally based taxonomic revisions. The systematics and biology of Nylanderia are discussed in a global context, and a diagnosis of the genus is given. Several morphological features, which are considered putative synapomorphies for the genus, are provided. Morphological descriptions of all three castes (workers, queens, and males) are provided and discussed.