An integrative taxonomic and phylogenetic approach reveals a new Neotropical swarm-founding social wasp, Pseudopolybia cryptica sp. n. (Vespidae: Polistinae: Epiponini)

Abstract

Phenotypic characters are traditionally the main information for species discrimination in taxonomic studies of invertebrates. However, the presence of inter- and intraspecific polymorphism makes it difficult to identify species in many groups such as Neotropical social wasps. Herein, we examined different sources of biological information such as adult morphology, male genitalia, nest architecture, and genetic data applying an integrative taxonomic approach to study pinned museum specimens belonging to the social wasp genus Pseudopolybia de Saussure, 1863. Based on multiple independent lines of evidence, we described a new Neotropical swarm-founding social wasp, Pseudopolybia cryptica sp. n. Moreover, we proposed a phylogenetic hypothesis for Pseudopolybia including this new species. Our taxonomic findings applying an integrative approach reinforce that the social wasp diversity in the Neotropics may be underestimated due to morphological similarity.

A Phylogenetic Approach to the Neotropical Social Wasp Genus Leipomeles Möbius, 1856 (Vespidae: Epiponini), with a New Identification Key

“…For adult morphological structures and male genitalia, we employed the terminology following the original descriptions and Somavilla et al (2018; 2021b). The procedure for extraction and clearing of male genitalia followed the protocol proposed by Somavilla et al (2018).…”

A checklist of social wasps (Vespidae: Polistinae) from Tocantins state, Brazil

“…We identified specimens to genus-level based on the keys proposed by Richards (1978) as well as Somavilla and Carpenter (2021b), in addition to further specific identification keys, in the case ofthe species Agelaia (Cooper, 2000), Angiopolybia (Barroso et al, 2022), Apoica (Pickett & Wenzel, 2007), Brachygastra (Andena & Carpenter, 2012), Epipona (Andena et al, 2009a), Mischocyttarus (Silveira, 2008), Polistes (Somavilla et al, 2021c), Pseudopolybia (Somavilla et al, 2021d), Protopolybia (Junior et al, 2018;, and Synoeca (Andena et al, 2009b), for example. Dr. Orlando Tobias Silveira (Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi) was responsible for verifying the Mischocyttarus species/morphospecies identifications.…”

Ancistroceruswasps (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) from the Centre of Europe: Phylogeny, cryptic species, neutral and non‐neutral markers

“…In the last two decades, investigation into cryptic species' diversity has increased rapidly, revealing that the DNA barcoding (Hebert et al, 2003) and species molecular delimitation methods provide irreplaceable complements to the morphological taxonomy (DeSalle & Goldstein, 2019; Kress et al, 2015; Lukhtanov, 2019). Among Hymenoptera, an integration of molecular methods allowed the differentiation of cryptic species with different habitat preferences, ecological niche, and behaviour divergence in bees (Mayr et al, 2021), including bumblebees (Brasero et al, 2021; Ghisbain et al, 2020; Waters et al, 2011), ants (Cordonnier et al, 2019; Schlick‐Steiner et al, 2006) and wasps (Darwell & Cook, 2017; Kurushima et al, 2016; Orlovskytė et al, 2016; Somavilla et al, 2021; Wilson et al, 2012; Zhang et al, 2022).…”