Nylanderia austroccidua

(Trager, 1984)

Nylanderia austroccidua is a of in the Formicinae, originally described from a widespread distribution ranging from Utah to Rica. Molecular phylogenetic analysis using Ultraconserved Elements (UCEs) revealed that specimens matching the original description are with respect to Nearctic Nylanderia species, indicating the original concept encompassed multiple cryptic lineages. The species belongs to Clade I (AC1), a group that includes a Neotropical subclade extending into Mesoamerica. An updated taxonomic description was published in 2024 as part of a revision that described eight new Nylanderia species from the region.

Nylanderia austroccidua by (c) Jake Nitta, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jake Nitta. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Nylanderia austroccidua: /naɪˈlændɪˌɛriə ɔːˌstroʊˈsɪdjuə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from other Nylanderia by the combination of a slight concavity on the of the and fine cuticular microsculpturing that causes iridescence. Molecular data are required for definitive identification due to the presence of cryptic species within the former broad concept of N. austroccidua. The species can be separated from members of Clade II (AC2), which occurs sympatrically in Mesoamerica, by phylogenetic placement in AC1.

Images

Distribution

Originally described from Utah southward to Rica. The occurs in the Nearctic and northern Neotropical regions, with its range overlapping that of Clade II species in Mesoamerica. The precise modern distribution is uncertain due to taxonomic revision splitting the original widespread concept into multiple species.

Similar Taxa

Nylanderia breviscapaNewly described from the same clade (AC1) and region, separated by morphological and molecular differences
Nylanderia lazulinaNewly described from the same clade (AC1) and region, separated by morphological and molecular differences
Nylanderia luceataNewly described from the same clade (AC1) and region, separated by morphological and molecular differences
Nylanderia mendaxNewly described from the same clade (AC1) and region, separated by morphological and molecular differences
Nylanderia mosaicaNewly described from the same clade (AC1) and region, separated by morphological and molecular differences
Nylanderia politaNewly described from the same clade (AC1) and region, separated by morphological and molecular differences
Nylanderia usulNewly described from the same clade (AC1) and region, separated by morphological and molecular differences
Nylanderia contrariaNewly described from the same clade (AC1) and region, separated by morphological and molecular differences
Nylanderia fulvaCongeneric in the same but belonging to a different ; N. fulva is a highly pest with enormous colony and formic acid production, whereas N. austroccidua is a species with different ecological characteristics

More Details

Taxonomic Revision

The 2024 revision by Kallal et al. used phylogenomics, geography, and to split the historically broad concept of N. austroccidua into multiple . The original description encompassed , and the updated description now applies to a more narrowly defined lineage.

Phylogenetic Placement

N. austroccidua belongs to Clade I (AC1), which is distantly related to American Clade II (AC2). AC1 includes a Neotropical subclade that extends into Mesoamerica, creating distributional overlap with the exclusively Neotropical AC2.