Using an Integrative Taxonomic Approach to Delimit a Sibling Species, Trachymyrmex fovouros sp. n. (Formicidae: Attini).

Trachymyrmex zeteki sensu lato, a fungus-gardening ant, has been the focus of a wide range of studies examining symbiotic partners, garden pathogens, mating frequencies, and genomics. This is in part due to the ease of collecting colonies from creek embankments and a high level of abundance in the Panama Canal region. The species description of T. zeteki Weber 1940 sensu stricto was based on samples collected on Barro Colorado Island. However, all subsequent studies sampled populations on the mainland, over 15 km southeast of the island. Our work suggests that two sibling ant species live in sympatry on the mainland. However, new morphological characters indicate that the T. zeteki s.l. is a complex of two species, and is divided here as Trachymyrmex fovouros sp. n. Cardenas, Schultz, and Adams and T. zeteki sensu stricto in reference to worker, gyne and male morphology. The separation of T. fovouros sp. n. from T. zeteki s.s. is based on nine measurements, five extrapolated indices, morphological characters, and molecular data from 40 different colonies. With the description of T. fovouros sp. n. we highlight how it has been mistakenly called T. zeteki (or correctly T. cf. zeteki) in the literature and how this new species description impacts previous research. With T. fovouros’ high density on the mainland and morphological similarity to T. zeteki, it is not surprising that they have been confused for so long.OSU URO Summer Fellowship Research Grant Summer 2016A five-year embargo was granted for this item.Academic Major: Entomolog