Monophyly, Taxon Sampling, and the Nature of Ranks in the Classification of Orb-Weaving Spiders (Araneae: Araneoidea)

Under embargo until: 2020-07-11We address some of the taxonomic and classification changes proposed by Kuntner et al. (2019) in a comparative study on the evolution of sexual size dimorphism in nephiline spiders. Their proposal to recircumscribe araneids and to rank the subfamily Nephilinae as a family is fundamentally flawed as it renders the family Araneidae paraphyletic. We discuss the importance of monophyly, outgroup selection, and taxon sampling, the subjectivity of ranks, and the implications of the age of origin criterion to assign categorical ranks in biological classifications. We explore the outcome of applying the approach of Kuntner et al. (2019) to the classification of spiders with emphasis on the ecribellate orb-weavers (Araneoidea) using a recently published dated phylogeny. We discuss the implications of including the putative sister group of Nephilinae (the sexually dimorphic genus Paraplectanoides) and the putative sister group of Araneidae (the miniature, monomorphic family Theridiosomatidae). We propose continuation of the phylogenetic classification put forth by Dimitrov et al. (2017), and we formally rank Nephilinae and Phonognathinae as subfamilies of Araneidae. Our classification better reflects the understanding of the phylogenetic placement and evolutionary history of nephilines and phonognathines while maintaining the diagnosability of Nephilinae. It also fulfills the fundamental requirement that taxa must be monophyletic, and thus avoids the paraphyly of Araneidae implied by Kuntner et al. (2019).acceptedVersio

Monophyly, taxon sampling, and the nature of ranks in the classification of orb-weaving spiders (Araneae: Araneoidea)

We address some of the taxonomic and classification changes proposed by Kuntner et al. (2019) in a comparative study on the evolution of sexual size dimorphism in nephiline spiders. Their proposal to recircumscribe araneids and to rank the subfamily Nephilinae as a family is fundamentally flawed as it renders the family Araneidae paraphyletic. We discuss the importance of monophyly, outgroup selection, and taxon sampling, the subjectivity of ranks, and the implications of the age of origin criterion to assign categorical ranks in biological classifications. We explore the outcome of applying the approach of Kuntner et al. (2019) to the classification of spiders with emphasis on the ecribellate orb-weavers (Araneoidea) using a recently published dated phylogeny. We discuss the implications of including the putative sister group of Nephilinae (the sexually dimorphic genus Paraplectanoides) and the putative sister group of Araneidae (the miniature, monomorphic family Theridiosomatidae). We propose continuation of the phylogenetic classification put forth by Dimitrov et al. (2017), and we formally rank Nephilinae and Phonognathinae as subfamilies of Araneidae. Our classification better reflects the understanding of the phylogenetic placement and evolutionary history of nephilines and phonognathines while maintaining the diagnosability of Nephilinae. It also fulfills the fundamental requirement that taxa must be monophyletic, and thus avoids the paraphyly of Araneidae implied by Kuntner et al. (2019)

Interrogating genomic-scale data to resolve recalcitrant nodes in the Spider Tree of Life

Genome-scale data sets are converging on robust, stable phylogenetic hypotheses for many lineages; however, some nodes have shown disagreement across classes of data. We use spiders (Araneae) as a system to identify the causes of incongruence in phylogenetic signal between three classes of data: exons (as in phylotranscriptomics), noncoding regions (included in ultraconserved elements [UCE] analyses), and a combination of both (as in UCE analyses). Gene orthologs, coded as amino acids and nucleotides (with and without third codon positions), were generated by querying published transcriptomes for UCEs, recovering 1,931 UCE loci (codingUCEs). We expected that congeners represented in the codingUCE and UCEs data would form clades in the presence of phylogenetic signal. Noncoding regions derived from UCE sequences were recovered to test the stability of relationships. Phylogenetic relationships resulting from all analyses were largely congruent. All nucleotide data sets from transcriptomes, UCEs, or a combination of both recovered similar topologies in contrast with results from transcriptomes analyzed as amino acids. Most relationships inferred from low-occupancy data sets, containing several hundreds of loci, were congruent across Araneae, as opposed to high occupancy data matrices with fewer loci, which showed more variation. Furthermore, we found that low-occupancy data sets analyzed as nucleotides (as is typical of UCE data sets) can result in more congruent relationships than high occupancy data sets analyzed as amino acids (as in phylotranscriptomics). Thus, omitting data, through amino acid translation or via retention of only high occupancy loci, may have a deleterious effect in phylogenetic reconstruction.publishedVersio

IL-4 receptor-alpha-dependent control of Cryptococcus neoformans in the early phase of pulmonary infection

Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes lung inflammation and meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised people. Previously we showed that mice succumb to intranasal infection by induction of pulmonary interleukin (IL)-4Rα-dependent type 2 immune responses, whereas IL-12-dependent type 1 responses confer resistance. In the experiments presented here, IL-4Rα −/− mice unexpectedly show decreased fungal control early upon infection with C. neoformans , whereas wild-type mice are able to control fungal growth accompanied by enhanced macrophage and dendritic cell recruitment to the site of infection. Lower pulmonary recruitment of macrophages and dendritic cells in IL-4Rα −/− mice is associated with reduced pulmonary expression of CCL2 and CCL20 chemokines. Moreover, IFN-γ and nitric oxide production are diminished in IL-4Rα −/− mice compared to wild-type mice. To directly study the potential mechanism(s) responsible for reduced production of IFN-γ, conventional dendritic cells were stimulated with C. neoformans in the presence of IL-4 which results in increased IL-12 production and reduced IL-10 production. Together, a beneficial role of early IL-4Rα signaling is demonstrated in pulmonary cryptococcosis, which contrasts with the well-known IL-4Rα-mediated detrimental effects in the late phase

Nylanderia steinheili

<i>Nylanderia steinheili</i> (Forel, 1893) <p>Figs. 89–91 (worker); 92–96 (male)</p> <p> <i>Prenolepis steinheili</i> Forel, 1893: 342 (worker). Lectotype worker, ST. THOMAS, Antilles, 13.X.78 (examined) (MHNG). Forel, 1908: 64 (queen); Forel, 1912: 66 (male). Lectotype designated by Trager, 1984. Combination in <i>Nylanderia</i> (<i>Nylanderia</i>): Forel, 1912: 66; in <i>Paratrechina</i> (<i>Nylanderia</i>): Emery, 1925 d: 223; in <i>Nylanderia</i>: Kempf, 1972: 168; in <i>Paratrechina</i>: Brandão, 1991: 367; in <i>Nylanderia</i>: LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck, 2010: 127.</p> <p> <i>Prenolepis steinheili</i> var. <i>minuta</i> Forel, 1893: 343 (worker, queen and male). 6 syntype workers, 3 syntype queens and 3 syntype males, ST. VINCENT, Antilles (examined; lectotype worker here designated (USNMENT00754828); specimen on pin with three separate points; point with lectotype marked with small red dot) (MHNG). Combination in <i>Nylanderia</i> (<i>Nylanderia</i>): Forel, 1912: 66; in <i>Paratrechina</i> (<i>Nylanderia</i>): Emery, 1925: 223; in <i>Nylanderia</i>: Kempf, 1972: 168; in <i>Paratrechina</i>: Brandão, 1991: 367; in <i>Nylanderia</i>: LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck, 2010: 127. <b>SYN. NOV.</b></p> <p> <b>Worker diagnosis:</b> Dark brown, contrasting sharply with white trochanters and meso/metacoxae; mesosomal dorsum and gastral tergite 1 with moderate to dense pubescence.</p> <p> <b>Compare with:</b> <i>N. guatemalensis</i></p> <p> WORKER. <i>Measurements (n=12)</i>: TL:1.70–2.30; HW: 0.49–0.57; HL: 0.57–0.67; EL: 0.14–0.19; SL: 0.63– 0.84; WL: 0.71–0.88; GL: 0.69–0.96. SMC: 12–23; PMC: 2–4; MMC: 2–3. <i>Indices:</i> CI: 81–91; REL: 22–30; SI: 118–155; SI2: 17–24.</p> <p> <i>Head</i>: sides of head in full face view nearly parallel to rounded; posterolateral corners rounded; posterior margin straight, sometimes slightly emarginate medially; anterior clypeal margin nearly straight to slightly emarginate; median ocellus sometimes present; eyes well-developed. <i>Mesosoma</i>: in lateral view, pronotum convex; anterior margin of mesonotum raised slightly above posterior pronotal margin; metanotal area without short flat area before spiracle; dorsal face of propodeum slightly convex; dorsal face of propodeum and mesonotum approximately the same height or propodeum slightly lower than mesonotum in lateral view. <i>Color and pilosity</i>: body dark brown, trochanters, mesocoxa and metacoxae white; antennae and mandible lighter brown than head, mesosoma and gaster; pubescence abundant across body except mesopleuron and lateral portions of pronotum which are without pubescence.</p> <p> QUEEN. <i>Measurements (n=3)</i>: TL: 3.20–3.40; HW: 0.73–0.78; HL: 0.73–0.78; EL: 0.23–0.24; SL: 0.79–0.89; WL: 1.20–1.30; GL: 1.50–1.80. SMC: 10–12; PMC: 3–6; MMC: 11–12. <i>Indices:</i> CI: 99–105; REL: 31–33; SI: 107–119.</p> <p>Generally, as in worker with modifications expected for caste.</p> <p> MALE. <i>Measurements (n=3)</i>: TL: 1.70–1.96; HW: 0.52–0.53; HL: 0.50–0.52; EL: 0.19–0.20; SL: 0.62–0.71; WL: 0.75–0.80; GL: 0.70–0.80. SMC: 8–14; PMC: 0; MMC: 10–16. <i>Indices:</i> CI: 99–106; REL: 37–39; SI: 119– 133.</p> <p> <i>Head</i>: sides of head in full face view rounded; posterior margin rounded; clypeus nearly straight anteriorly; mandible with distinct apical tooth and much smaller, often indistinct, subapical tooth adjacent to apical tooth; basal angle indistinct. <i>Mesosoma</i>: in lateral view, dorsal margin of mesoscutum same as height as dorsal margin of mesoscutellum; propodeum steeply sloping without distinct dorsal and declivitous faces. <i>Genitalia</i>: gonopod apex coming to triangular point in lateral view; gonopod margin in dorsal view curves away from penial sclerite; digitus with pointed apex that bends away from penial sclerite; cuspis tubular, rounded at apex bending sharply toward digitus; anteroventral process of penial sclerite coming to point with ventral margin of process emarginate; valvura of penial sclerite placed ventral to midline (fig. 105). <i>Color and pilosity</i>: body typically dark brown with contrasting yellow-white to yellowish-brown (typically not as light as in workers) trochanters, and mesocoxa and metacoxa; antenna and mandible lighter brown than head, mesosoma and gaster; pubescence abundant across body except on mesopleuron which is without pubescence.</p> <p> <b>Other material examined:</b> ANGUILLA: Shoal Bay Rd, quarry turnoff, 18.249° N, 63.033° W, 21/May/2006, #106, JK Wetterer; Windward Point sea grapes on hill, 18.280° N, 62.968° W, 20/May/2006, #86, JK Wetter- er; The Quarter, N Tanglewood Rd, 18.217° N, 63.040° W, 20/May/2006, #71, JK Wetterer; Long Bay, scrub, 18.197° N, 63.126° W, 18/May/2006, #46, JK Wetterer; near Abadam Hole, under tree, 18.273° N, 62.975° W, 20/May/2006, #81, JK Wetterer; Lake’s Quarry, 18.248° N, 63.037° W, 21/May/2006, #105, JK Wetterer; Meads Bay hotel grounds, 18.183° N, 63.143° W, 17/May/2006, #13, JK Wetterer; Maunday’s Bay, sea grapes, 18.171° N, 63.144° W, 21/May/2006, #100, JK Wetterer; Airport, parking, 17.139° N, 61.794° W, 13/Jul/2007, #519, JK Wetterer; Wellings, 10 min up trail, 17.032° N, 61.825° W, 26/May/2007, #374, JK Wetterer; ARUBA: Bubali by sanctuary tower, 12.562° N, 70.048° W, 2/Aug/2007, #735, JK Wetterer; BARBADOS: Trents clump of viny tree, 13.298° N, 59.633° W, 20/Jun/2006, #410, JK Wetterer; Canefield forest patch, 13.193° N, 59.590° W, 16/Jun/2006, #346, JK Wetterer; Lakes Beach, beach, 13.245° N, 59.556° W, 20/Jun/2006, #442, JK Wetterer; Boarded Hall forest, 13.209° N, 59.576° W, 16/Jun/2006, #349, JK Wetterer; Turner’s Hall Woods, 26/Nov/2003, #100, Wetterer; Codrington College campus, 13.172° N, 59.479° W, 21/Jun/2006, #446, JK Wetterer; Breedy’s scrub forest, 13.251° N, 59.590° W, 16/Jun/2006, #354, JK Wetterer; Bath near route H3, 13.182° N, 59.482° W, 21/Jun/2006, #440, JK Wetterer; Hackleton Cliff base forest, 13.203° N, 59.536° W, 16/Jun/2006, #357, JK Wetterer; BARBUDA: Sand Ground, plantation, 17.602° N, 61.830° W, 8/Jul/2007, #431, JK Wetterer; BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS: Tortola, Sabbath Hill, by sewer tank, 18.435° N, 64.598° W, 16/Nov/2005, #379, JK Wetterer; Sage Mtn Rd, parking by park, 18.412° N, 64.656° W, 15/Nov/2005, #356, JK Wetterer; Chalwell Hill, by radio tower, 18.425° N, 64.645° W, 16/Nov/2005, #374, JK Wetterer; Martins Joes Hill, Joes Hill Rd, 18.427° N, 64.638° W, 18/Nov/2005, #397, JK Wetterer; DOMINICA: Concord, Hotel garden, 10/Jun/2004, #167, JK Wetterer; Central For. Res., 7 km SW Concord, 11/Jun/2004, #169, JK Wetterer; La Source, 11/Jun/2004, #186, JK Wetterer; La Plaine, 14/Jun/2004, #208, JK Wetterer; DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Santo Domingo, Botanical Garden, 9/Dec/2003, Mark Deyrup; Parque Nacional Sierra de Baharuco, 18° 09.310’ N, 71° 45.495; W, elev. 277 m; under leaf litter, 27 vii.2009; SA Schieder & JS LaPolla; GRENADA: Grand Etang, Morne La Bay, 9/Nov/2003, #12, JK Wetterer; woodlands, cane by factory, 12.025° N, 61.741° W, 28/Jun/2006, #552, JK Wetterer; Coral Cove, 11/Nov/2003, #32, JK Wetterer; Trant’s Bay, W of road by end, 16.753° N, 62.164° W, 19/Jul/2007, #654, JK Wetterer; Old Road Bay, waterfront, 16.742° N, 62.232° W, 16/Jul/2007, #589, JK Wetterer; MONTSERRAT: Cavala Hill by church, 16.779° N, 62.204° W, 20/Jul/2007, #661, JK Wetterer; Mars Hill Oriole trailhead, 16.770° N, 62.207° W, 16/Jul/2007, #594, JK Wet- terer; NEVIS: Tower Hill forest, 17.162° N, 62.599° W, 14/May/2007, #170, JK Wetterer; market shop, St George’s Church, 17.131° N, 62.571° W, 16/May/2007, #215, JK Wetterer; PUERTO RICO: Vieques: Bunkers, 0.7 km SW bunker 309, 8/Jun/2006, #321, JK Wetterer; Vieques: Playa Grande, sea grape, 18.092° N, 65.509° W, 7/Jun/2006, #319, JK Wetterer; Vieques: Mosquito, S of pier, 18.130° N, 65.510° W, 8/Jun/2006, #334, JK Wetterer; San Juan, international airport, 16/May/2006, #7, JK Wetterer; ST. KITTS: Bayford’s, near radio tower, 17.327° N, 62.731° W, 6/May/2007, #32, JK Wetterer; Wingfield, forest by orchard, 17.334° N, 62.801° W, 8/May/2007, #85, JK Wetterer; Camp Bay, scrub N of PR, 17.298° N, 62.751° W, 8/May/2007, #81, JK Wetterer; Rawlins, Plantation, 17.401° N, 62.828° W, 7/May/2007, #53, JK Wetterer; Boguis forest, 17/Nov/2003, #57, JK Wetterer; ST. LUCIA: Ambre, 4.4 km E of 52, 16/Nov/2003, #53, JK Wetterer; Prasin, 16/Nov/2003, #48, JK Wetterer; Choc, 15/Nov/2003, #45, JK Wetterer; ST. MARTIN: La Colombe, Rue de Concordia, 18.062° N, 63.074° W, 24/May/2006, #129, JK Wetterer; French Cul de Sac pasture, 18.107° N, 63.029° W, 23/May/2006, #120, JK Wetterer; La Soufriere trail, trailhead parking, 13.318° N, 61.156° W, 5/Jul/2006, #707, JK Wetterer; Rickmond Bach SW end of beach, 13.319° N, 61.236° W, 1/Jul/2006, #608, JK Wetterer; TRINIDAD: Blanchisseuse Rd, 4 km N Asa Wright, 30/Oct/2003, #213, Wetterer; Victoris Mayare Res., 7 km N gate, 3/Nov/2003, #234, Wetterer; Palmiste, 21/May/2004, #24, JK Wetterer; North Coast Rd, 6 km of Saddle, 30/Jun/2004, #474, JK Wetterer; 2 km NW Howson, 10/Jul/2004, #488, JK Wetterer; 10 km S Rte Clare, 31/Jul/2004, #541, JK Wetterer; Blanchisseuse Rd, 1 km S Asa Wright, 30/Oct/2003, #211, Wetterer; Victoria Mayare Res. 2 km W gate, 3/Nov/2003, #232, Wetterer; Mt Hope, 21/May/2004, #418, JK Wetterer; North Coast Rd, 6 km 2004, #474, JK Wetterer; 2 km SW Cunaripa, 10/Jul/2004, #487, JK Wetterer; TOBAGO: Tobago Forest Res., Gilpin Trace, 14/Oct/2003, #192, Wetterer; U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS: St Croix, Springfield, 76; 0.5 Km W quarry, 17.732° N, 64.834° W, 9/March/2006, #235, JK Wetterer; St. Croix, Jolly Hill, E of 763; N of 76, 17.732° N, 64.861° W, 3/March/2006, #35, JK Wetterer; St. John, Bordeaux Mtn, 0.5 Km E of peak, 18.339° N, 64.734° W, 9/Nov/2005, #299, JK Wetterer; St. Thomas, Mountaintop by mall, 18.356° N, 64.947° W, 8/Nov/2005, #270, JK Wetterer; St. Thomas, Botany Bay, 1 km N of 30, 18.357° N, 65.027° W, 6/Nov/2005, #245, JK Wetterer.</p> <p> <b>Notes:</b> Trager (1984) considered two morphological differences to separate <i>N. steinheili</i> and <i>N. steinheili minu- ta</i> into distinct species. He noted that the subbasal tooth (tooth 5 counting from apical to basal) in <i>N. steinheili</i> is always small relative to the median tooth (tooth 4 counting from apical to basal). Whereas, there are other specimens were the subbasal tooth is distinctly large relative to the median tooth and these would be distinguishable as <i>N. steinheili minuta</i>. Differences in coloration were also noted, with <i>N. steinheili minuta</i> having the mesocoxae and metacoxae reddish, and <i>N. steinheili</i> with mesocoxae and metacoxae that are bright white. Initially, we were able to separate specimens using the above morphological criteria, but the more specimens we examined the more difficult it became as both morphological characters showed considerable variability. Therefore, until other data becomes available we consider <i>N. steinheili minuta</i> a synonym of <i>N</i>. <i>steinheili</i>.</p> <p> <i>Nylanderia steinheili</i> is a widespread species, which may or may not be native to the West Indies. There is considerable morphological variation in what we are calling <i>N. steinheili</i>. This species is putatively found in Central and South America as well so it is hoped that as revisions of <i>Nylanderia</i> in those regions are completed further data for better refinement of the morphological limits of this species will be possible.</p> <p> <i>Nylanderia steinheili</i> and <i>N. guatemalensis</i> are broadly sympatric across the West Indies with both occurring primarily in similarly disturbed habitats. Usually both can be separated relatively easily based on worker body coloration, with <i>N. steinheili</i> being dark brown to black and <i>N. guatemalensis</i> being yellow to light brown (typically with contrasting dark macrosetae). However, particularly in southern Florida and the Bahamas, <i>N. guatemalensis</i> can have a darker body, sometimes approaching dark brown. This can make distinguishing the species difficult. <i>N. guatemalensis</i> and <i>N. steinheili</i> both occur in Florida in contrast to Kallal and LaPolla (2012) which only reported <i>N. steinheili</i>. Apparently, <i>N. guatemalensis</i> occurs only in the extreme southern part of the state, whereas <i>N. steinheili</i> is more widespread. We found <i>N. guatemalensis</i> workers have a SI above 120 while <i>N. steinheili</i> worker have a SI below 120, but there is some overlap. Like <i>N. steinheili</i>, <i>N. guatemalensis</i> putatively ranges into Central and South America.</p> <p> We did examine the penial sclerites for both <i>N. steinheili</i> and <i>N. guatemalensis</i> males (fig. 105). Overall the penial sclerites are fairly similar in basic structure but there are some importance differences. The anteroventral process of <i>N. steinheili</i> is emarginate, whereas in <i>N. guatemalensis</i> it is broadly rounded. Additionally, the penial sclerite vulvurae are ventrally placed in <i>N. steinheili</i>; in <i>N. guatemalensis</i> they are at the midline of the penial sclerites. As in worker morphology, the male morphology suggests these species are closely related, perhaps even sister taxa. It is important to note we examined a relatively small number of males and both of these species range far outside of the West Indies where male morphology needs to be examined as well.</p>Published as part of <i>Kallal, Robert J., 2019, Nylanderia of the World Part III: Nylanderia in the West Indies, pp. 401-451 in Zootaxa 4658 (3)</i> on pages 437-441, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4658.3.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/3375930">http://zenodo.org/record/3375930</a&gt

Nylanderia pini Kallal 2019, sp. nov.

<i>Nylanderia pini</i>, sp. nov. <p>Figs. 58–60 (worker); 61–66 (male)</p> <p>Holotype worker, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Parque Nacional Armando Bermúdez; 19° 04.044’N, 70° 51.830’W; elev. 1037 m; moss and soil under tree; 07.viii.2009; S.A. Schneider (USNMENT007544798) (NMNH). 4 paratype workers, 1 paratype queen and 1 paratype male with same locality data as holotype (specimens are from the same nest as holotype) (NMNH & MCZC).</p> <p> <b>Worker diagnosis:</b> Generally dark brown; gastral pubescence present only on the mid to posterior end of gastral tergite I, with anterior region of segment without pubescence; dorsal face of propodeum usually with a distinct fringe of pubescence.</p> <p> <b>Compare with:</b> <i>N. bibadia</i>, <i>N. fuscaspecula, N. metacista</i></p> <p> WORKER. <i>Measurements (n=7)</i>: TL: 2.40–2.80; HW: 0.52–0.62; HL: 0.69–0.73; EL: 0.17–0.18; SL:0.84– 0.86; WL:0.91–0.98; GL:0.83–0.9. SMC: 22–27; PMC: 3–6; MMC: 2–3. <i>Indices:</i> CI: 84–87; REL:24–27; SI:136– 151; SI2: 19–22.</p> <p> <i>Head</i>: sides of head in full face view rounded and slightly broader posterior to eyes; posterolateral corners rounded; posterior margin relatively straight; anterior clypeal margin emarginate; median ocellus sometimes present; eyes well-developed. <i>Mesosoma</i>: in lateral view, pronotum convex; anterior margin of mesonotum distinctly raised above posterior pronotal margin; metanotal area with a short flat area before spiracle; dorsal face of propodeum slightly convex; dorsal face of propodeum slightly lower than mesonotum in lateral view. <i>Color and pilosity</i>: dark brown, with lighter brownish-yellow to yellow funiculus, mandible, mesocoxa/trochanter, metacoxa/trochanter, distal ends of femora and tibiae, and tarsi; occasionally lighter brown around promesonotal junction; cephalic pubescence sparse, denser on posterolateral corners and posterior and anterior of eyes; legs and mesonotum pubescent; dorsal face of propodeum usually with distinct fringe of pubescence; gastral pubescence present only on mid to posterior end of gastral tergite I; anterior portion without pubescence; remaining gastral tergites with abundant pubescence.</p> <p> QUEEN. <i>Measurements (n=1)</i>: TL: 4.1; HW: 0.83; HL: 0.83; EL: 0.25; SL: 0.97; WL: 1.5; GL: 2.1. SMC: 14; PMC: 5; MMC: 6; MtMC: 3. <i>Indices:</i> CI: 100; REL: 30; SI: 117. Generally, as in worker with modifications expected for caste and with the following noted difference: slightly lighter brown (to yellow) than seen in workers.</p> <p> MALE. <i>Measurements (n=3)</i>: TL: 1.6–2.2; HW: 0.55–0.57; HL: 0.51–0.57; EL: 0.21–0.23; SL: 0.74–0.76; WL: 0.85–1.0; GL: 0.87–1.11. SMC: 10–12 PMC: 0; MMC: 6–12; MtMC: 2–3. <i>Indices:</i> CI: 99–107; REL: 40–42; SI: 134–147.</p> <p> <i>Head</i>: sides of head in full face view rounded; posterior margin rounded; clypeus emarginate anteriorly; mandible with distinct apical tooth and much smaller subapical tooth adjacent to apical tooth; basal angle rounded and indistinct. <i>Mesosoma</i>: in lateral view, dorsal margin of mesoscutum same as height as dorsal margin of mesoscutellum; propodeum steeply sloping without distinct dorsal and declivitous faces. <i>Genitalia</i>: gonopod apex coming to triangular point in lateral view; in dorsal view, gonopod margin curves away slightly from penial sclerite; digitus with pointed apex that bends away from penial sclerite; cuspis tubular, rounded at apex bending sharply toward digitus; anteroventral process of penial sclerite coming to a point with ventral margin of process emarginate; valvura of penial sclerite placed ventral to midline (fig. 105). <i>Color and pilosity</i>: color brown with darker brown head, pronotum, and gaster; remainder of body yellow to light brown; head, scapes, mesosomal notum, legs and gastral dorsum with a layer of pubescence.</p> <p> <b>Other material examined:</b> DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Prov. La Vega, La Cienaga, ca. 1100 m, mixed HWpine valley forest, Feb 1975, WL & DE Brown; Prov. La Vega, Valle Nuevo Rd, 18° 50.29 N, 070° 41.84 W, elev 1968 m, 3 December 2003, Mark Deyrup; La Vega Prov, Valle Nueva Nat Park, 18.84354 -70.71363 +/- 50 m, 1735m, 31-JUL-2015, Lubertazzi, DL 04056; La Vega Prov, Valle Nueva Nat Park, 18.84257 -70.7229 +/- 40 m, 1585 m, 31-JUL-2015, Lubertazzi DL 04066.</p> <p> <b>Etymology:</b> Species epithet is from the plural form of <i>pinus</i> (L. = pine), named for the dominant trees in the forests in which this species was found.</p> <p> <b>Notes:</b> In our experience <i>N. pini</i> and <i>N. fuscaspecula</i> can be especially difficult to separate from each other. There are size differences, with <i>N. pini</i> being larger especially with regards to scape length (<i>pini</i> typically possesses a scape greater than 0.8 mm in length). Additionally, <i>N. pini</i> typically possesses a first gastral tergite with abundant pubescence beginning about midlength and continuing to the posterior margin of the segment. A fringe of pubescence is typically present along the dorsal face of the propodeum as well. However, we have seen specimens within nest series where the pubescence patterns do not match perfectly as discussed above and in these cases scape measurements should separate the two species. There was one location where both species occurred sympatrically and in fact were collected on the same day (Prov. La Vega, La Cienaga, ca. 1100 m, mixed HW-pine valley forest, Feb 1975, WL & DE Brown). Among these specimens, differences in worker pubescence and size noted above were easily observed.</p> <p> Workers of <i>N. metacista</i> are also likely to be confused with <i>N. pini</i>, but in all specimens we examined <i>N. metacista</i> workers always possess a dense layer of pubescence across gastral tergites I and II and this is never the case in <i>N. pini</i>.</p>Published as part of <i>Kallal, Robert J., 2019, Nylanderia of the World Part III: Nylanderia in the West Indies, pp. 401-451 in Zootaxa 4658 (3)</i> on pages 427-430, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4658.3.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/3375930">http://zenodo.org/record/3375930</a&gt

Nylanderia disatra Kallal 2019, sp. nov.

<i>Nylanderia disatra</i>, sp. nov. <p>Figs. 19–21 (worker); 22–27 (male)</p> <p>Holotype worker, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: near Reserva Científica Ebano Verde, 19°01.10’ N, 70°31.86’ W, elev. 1139 m, coffee plantation, 30.vii.2009, J.S. LaPolla & S.A. Schneider (USNMENT00753609) (NMNH); 5 paratype workers with same locality data as holotype (specimens are from the same nest as holotype) (NMNH & MCZC).</p> <p> <b>Worker diagnosis:</b> Head and gaster dark brown, contrasting sharply with yellow antennae, mesosoma and legs; macrosetae on mesosoma dark brown contrasting sharply with yellow mesosoma.</p> <p> <b>Compare with:</b> <i>N. semitincta</i></p> <p> WORKER. <i>Measurements (n=11)</i>: TL: 1.80–2.40; HW: 0.51–0.54; HL: 0.59–0.62; EL: 0.14–0.16; SL: 0.68– 0.72; WL: 0.71–0.78; GL: 0.50–0.99. SMC: 20–32 PMC: 2–4; MMC: 2–4. <i>Indices:</i> CI: 81–89; REL: 23–27; SI: 129–139; SI2: 20–24.</p> <p> <i>Head</i>: sides of head in full face view rounded and slightly convergent anteriorly; posterolateral corners rounded; posterior margin straight and slightly emarginate medially; anterior clypeal margin evenly rounded; ocelli absent; eye well-developed. <i>Mesosoma</i>: in lateral view, pronotum subangular; anterior margin of mesonotum raised slightly above posterior pronotal margin; metanotal area without a short flat area before spiracle; dorsal face of propodeum distinctly convex; dorsal margins of propodeum and mesonotum approximately even in lateral view. <i>Color and pilosity</i>: Head and gaster dark brown to almost black, contrasting strongly with yellow mesosoma and petiole; antenna, mandible and legs yellow to brown-yellow; mesocoxa and metacoxa often whitish-yellow; macrosetae distinctly dark brown; scape and legs with layer of pubescence; head, mesosoma and gaster lack pubescence.</p> <p> QUEEN. <i>Measurements (n=1)</i>: TL: n/a; HW: 0.74; HL: 0.74; EL: 0.27; SL: 0.84; WL: 1.4; GL: n/a. SMC: 16; PMC: 3; MMC: 15. <i>Indices:</i> CI: 100; REL: 36; SI: 113. Generally, as in worker with modifications expected for caste and with the following noted differences: mesosoma coloration darker brown than in worker, and with distinct yellow color along segmental margins.</p> <p> MALE. <i>Measurements (n=4)</i>: TL: 2.0–2.1; HW: 0.50–0.52; HL: 0.51–0.53; EL: 0.20–0.22; SL: 0.61–0.65; WL: 0.78–0.87; GL: 0.72–0.75. SMC: 4–9; PMC: 0; MMC: 8–9. <i>Indices:</i> CI: 94–102; REL: 36–43; SI: 118–129.</p> <p> <i>Head</i>: sides of head in full face view distinctly broader posterior to eyes; posterior margin rounded; clypeus evenly rounded anteriorly; mandible with 2 teeth, a long, distinct apical tooth and much smaller subapical tooth adjacent to apical tooth; basal angle sharp and distinct; <i>Mesosoma</i>: in lateral view, dorsal margin of mesoscutum same as height as dorsal margin of mesoscutellum; propodeum without distinct dorsal and declivitous faces. <i>Genitalia</i>: gonopod apex triangular but broadly rounded in lateral view; in dorsal view, gonopod margin curves away from penial sclerite; digitus with pointed apex that bends away from penial sclerite; cuspis tubular, rounded at apex bending sharply toward digitus; anteroventral process of penial sclerite coming to a point; valvura of penial sclerite placed approximately at midline (fig. 105). <i>Color and pilosity</i>: head and gaster dark brown, contrasting strongly with yellow mesosoma and petiole; antennae, mandibles and legs yellow to brown-yellow; mesocoxae and metacoxae often whitish-yellow; smooth and very shiny; scapes and legs with layer of pubescence; head, mesosomal notum and gastral tergites II-IV with dense pubescence.</p> <p> <b>Other material examined:</b> DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Prov. La Vega: Reserva Cientifica Ebano Verde, elev. 1070m, N 19° 01.95’, W070° 32.59’, 2 December 2003, in leaf litter, M. Deyrup; La Vega Prov., Jarrabacoa to El Rio, 800–1500m, 5 Feb 1975, shady ravine, WL & DE Brown; La Vega Prov., 10 km NE Jarrabacoa, Raquet Club, 550m, FIT, 20.VII–4.VIII-1995, mixed forest, S+J Peck 95-37; Ma. Tr. Sa., Pr Loma Guaconejo, 19.29965 -69.94937 +/- 50 m, 190m, 21-JUL-2015, Lubertazzi, DL 03903; Ma. Tr. Sa., Pr Loma Guaconejo, 19.30356 - 69.95433 +/- 50m, 290 m, 22-JUL-2015, Lubertazzi, DL 03924; Duarte Prov., Loma Quita Espuela, 19.35222 - 70.14871 +/- 20m, 720m, 25-JUL-2015, Lubertazzi, DL03962; Ma. Tr. Sa., Pr Loma Guaconejo, 19.29529 -69.949 +/- 60m, 150m, 23/ 24-July-2015, Lubertazzi / Prebus T 4#9; Duarte Prov., Loma Quita Espuela, 19.34636 -70.14869 +/- 60m, 515m, 24/ 25-July-2015, Lubertazzi / Prebus T5#2; 4 km NNW Villa Altagracia, 18 42’N, 70 11’ W, 200 m, 12.ix.1992, P.S. Ward #11770-18; La Vega, betw. Jarabacoa & El Rio, 11.iv.1992, 1150 m, M.A. Ivie <i>et al</i>, pine forest Berlesate; Hato Mayor, P.N. Los Haitises, w of Sabana del Mar, 1.iv.1992, misc. litter, MA Ivie <i>et al</i>.</p> <p> <b>Etymology:</b> Species epithet is a combination of <i>atratus</i> (L. = darkened) with the prefix <i>dis-</i> (L. = separate), named for the contrasting appearance of this species.</p> <p> <b>Notes:</b> This is a strikingly colored species (seen in all three castes, but most muted in the queen), and therefore is easy to separate from all other New World <i>Nylanderia</i> known to date. <i>Nylanderia semitincta</i> from Puerto Rico is similarly colored with the head distinctly darker brown (not as dark as in <i>N. disatra</i>), as are the pronotum and gaster, contrasting with the yellow propodeum and legs.</p>Published as part of <i>Kallal, Robert J., 2019, Nylanderia of the World Part III: Nylanderia in the West Indies, pp. 401-451 in Zootaxa 4658 (3)</i> on pages 414-417, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4658.3.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/3375930">http://zenodo.org/record/3375930</a&gt

Nylanderia of the World Part III: Nylanderia in the West Indies

Kallal, Robert J. (2019): Nylanderia of the World Part III: Nylanderia in the West Indies. Zootaxa 4658 (3): 401-451, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4658.3.

Nylanderia semitincta Kallal 2019, sp. nov.

Nylanderia semitincta, sp. nov. Figs. 77–79 (worker); 80–85 (male) Holotype worker, PUERTO RICO: El Yunque National Forest, N 18° 16.295’, W 65° 45.877’, elev. 3054 ft., dwarf forest, nest in rotting wood, 15 July 2008, J.S. LaPolla (USNMENT00754809) (NMNH); 4 paratype workers, 1 paratype queen, 2 paratype males same locality as holotype (specimens are from the same nest as holotype) (NMNH & MCZC). Worker diagnosis: Coloration distinct with head, pronotum, often anterior mesonotum and gaster brown, contrasting with yellow remainder of mesosoma (propodeum especially bright yellow in many specimens) and legs. Compare with: N. disatra WORKER. Measurements (n=3): TL: 2.12–2.30; HW: 0.47–0.52; HL: 0.52–0.59; EL: 0.12–0.15; SL: 0.61– 0.68; WL: 0.66–0.74; GL: 0.92–1.00. SMC: 20–22 PMC: 2–4; MMC: 2. Indices: CI: 85–91; REL: 22–25; SI: 129–136; SI2: 19–22. Head: sides of head in full face view nearly parallel; posterolateral corners rounded; posterior margin straight and slightly emarginate medially; anterior clypeal margin with slight median emargination; three ocelli present; eye well-developed. Mesosoma: in lateral view, pronotum convex; anterior margin of mesonotum raised slightly above posterior pronotal margin; metanotal area with a short flat area before spiracle; dorsal face of propodeum slightly convex; dorsal face of propodeum slightly lower than mesonotum in lateral view. Color and pilosity: head, pronotum, often anterior mesonotum and gaster brown, contrasting distinctly with yellow remainder of mesosoma (propodeum often brightest yellow) and legs; antennae and mandibles lighter brownish-yellow; pubescence sparse except on small patches around eyes; scapes and legs with abundant pubescence. QUEEN. Measurements (n=1): TL: 4.40; HW: 0.72; HL: 0.71; EL: 0.23; SL: 0.78; WL: 1.4; GL: 2.3. SMC: 8 PMC: 3; MMC: 25. Indices: CI: 101; REL: 32; SI: 109. Generally, as in worker with modifications expected for caste. MALE. Measurements (n=2): TL: 1.90–2.00; HW: 0.46–0.48; HL: 0.43–0.46; EL: 0.17–0.19; SL: 0.54–0.55; WL: 0.70–0.72; GL: 0.78–0.83. SMC: 3–5 PMC: 0; MMC: 5–7. Indices: CI: 103–106; REL: 35–43; SI: 114–118. Head: sides of head in full face view rounded; posterior margin straight rounded; clypeus evenly rounded anteriorly; mandible distinct apical tooth and much smaller, often very indistinct, subapical tooth adjacent to apical tooth; basal angle sharp and distinct. Mesosoma: in lateral view, dorsal margin of mesoscutum same as height as dorsal margin of mesoscutellum; propodeum sloping without distinct dorsal and declivitous faces. Genitalia: gonopod apex coming to triangular point in lateral view; in dorsal view, gonopod margin curves away from penial sclerite; digitus with pointed apex that bends away from penial sclerite; cuspis tubular, rounded at apex bending sharply toward digitus; anteroventral process of penial sclerite broadly rounded; valvura of penial sclerite placed approximately at midline (fig. 105). Color and pilosity: color as in worker but not as distinctly contrasting (colors closer to each other in tone) with brown head (including antennae), pronotum, mesoscutum, and gaster; remainder of body yellow to light brown; head, scapes and mesonotum with a layer of abundant pubescence. Other Material Examined: PUERTO RICO: El Yunque National Forest, Baño de Oro trail, 24.vi.1995 (W. & E. MacKay #17131); 3 km N. Las Torres, Rte. 949, 18.248° N, 65.829° W, 7 Oct 2007 #36 (JK Wetterer). Etymology: Species epithet is a combination of semi- (L. = half) and tincta (L. = colored), named for the twotoned appearance of this species. Notes: This species is easily separated from the other native Puerto Rican species, N. microps, which is much larger, yellow, covered in many macrosetae across the pronotum and mesonotum and has very small eyes. Both species do occur in sympatry in at least the El Yunque National Forest and possibly other rainforest areas of the island, but N. semitincta is currently only known from El Yunque. Although not as strongly contrasting (not as dark brown), the coloration pattern seen in N. semitincta is similar to N. disatra known from the Dominican Republic. Although in N. disatra workers the head is very dark brown and the entire mesosoma is bright yellow. Overall, the male genitalia between the two species are also fairly similar (with some obvious differences in gastral pubescence and shapes of genitalic structures especially the volsellar lobes and the digiti), which may suggest these two species are closely related. This species is included in the phylogeny of Gotzek et al. (2012) as Nylanderia n.sp. PR1 where it is sister to to N. microps and not to N. disatra.Published as part of Kallal, Robert J., 2019, Nylanderia of the World Part III: Nylanderia in the West Indies, pp. 401-451 in Zootaxa 4658 (3) on pages 433-436, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4658.3.1, http://zenodo.org/record/337593

Nylanderia wardi Kallal 2019, sp. nov.

<i>Nylanderia wardi</i>, sp. nov. <p>Figs.97–99 (worker)</p> <p>Holotype worker, CUBA: Holguin, 6 km S Yamanigüey, 20° 33’ N, 74° 44’W, 25 m, 23.viii.2001, P.S. Ward #14437- 23 (NMNH); 2 paratype workers same locality data as holotype (specimens are from the same nest as holotype); 3 paratype workers same locality data as holotype but different collecting code (P.S. Ward #14436) (NMNH & MCZC).</p> <p> <b>Worker diagnosis:</b> Larger brown to light brown species (HL: 0.6–0.72); SMC typically greater than 30 (measured range: 26–38); head in full-face view distinctly ovate with rounded posterolateral corners.</p> <p> <b>Compare with:</b> <i>N. sierra</i>, <i>N. xestonota</i></p> <p> WORKER. <i>Measurements (n=7)</i>: TL: 2.20–2.84; HW: 0.54–0.6; HL: 0.60–0.72; EL: 0.15–0.18; SL: 0.78–0.87; WL: 0.76–0.85; GL: 0.82–1.3; SMC: 26–38; PMC: 4–6; MMC: 3–4. <i>Indices:</i> CI: 83–90; REL: 24–25; SI: 141–152; SI2: 18–21.</p> <p> <i>Head</i>: Sides of head in full face view rounded and slightly convergent anteriad; posterolateral corners distinctly rounded; posterior margin straight; anterior clypeal margin emarginate; median ocellus present; eye well-developed. <i>Mesosoma</i>: in lateral view, pronotum convex; anterior margin of mesonotum raised slightly above posterior pronotal margin; metanotal area without short flat area before spiracle; dorsal face of propodeum slightly convex; dorsal face of propodeum lower than mesonotum in lateral view. <i>Color and pilosity</i>: color light brown to brownish-yellow; slightly darker dorsally; mesocoxae and metacoxae slightly lighter than the mesosoma; head generally without pubescence, except some sparse pubescence laterally and underneath eyes; mesosoma generally without pubescence, except some sparse pubescence on the mesonotum and a sparse fringe along dorsal face of propodeum; gastral tergites with abundant pubescence.</p> <p> <b>Other material examined:</b> CUBA: Santiago de Cuba: Parque Nacional Gran Piedra, near La Isabellica, 20.00700, -75.61900 +/- 150 m, 1115 m, 29 Jan 2012, R.S. Anderson # RSA 2012-013.</p> <p> <b>Etymology:</b> Named in honor of Philip S. Ward (University of California—Davis), who not only collected this species, but whose many superb contributions to myrmecology have greatly enriched the field.</p> <p> <b>Notes:</b> Workers of this species are very similar to <i>N. sierra</i>, but <i>N. wardi</i> is much larger and the declivity following the mesonotum to the metanotal area is distinctly longer in <i>N. wardi</i>. Additionally, <i>N. wardi</i> has much more scape macrosetae than <i>N. sierra</i>. There were individuals of <i>N. sierra</i> collected in sympatry with <i>N. wardi</i> and the morphological differences between the two species were maintained.</p>Published as part of <i>Kallal, Robert J., 2019, Nylanderia of the World Part III: Nylanderia in the West Indies, pp. 401-451 in Zootaxa 4658 (3)</i> on pages 441-442, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4658.3.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/3375930">http://zenodo.org/record/3375930</a&gt