Is mimicry a diversification-driver in ants? Biogeography, ecology, ethology, genetics and morphology define a second West-Palaearctic <i>Colobopsis</i> species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract The West-Palaearctic Colobopsis ant populations have long been considered a single species (Colobopsis truncata). We studied the diversity of this by employing multidisciplinary approach and combining data from our surveys, museum private collections, citizen science platforms. As result, we revealed existence second species, which describe as imitans sp. nov., distributed allopatrically Co. truncata living in Maghreb, Sicily southern Iberia. While pigmentation is reminiscent Dolichoderus quadripunctatus, that similar to Crematogaster scutellaris, with lives close spatial association, whose foraging trails it habitually follows, Camponotus lateralis other ant-mimicking ants. isolation between seems occurred relatively recently because significant, yet not extreme, morphometric differentiation, mtDNA polyphyly. Both appear employ mimicry an unpalatable or aggressive important defensive strategy; ‘choice’ different model motivated biogeographic reasons appears act critical evolutionary driver their diversification.