Revisiting the morphological species groups of West-Palearctic Aphaenogaster ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) under a phylogenetic perspective: toward an evolutionary classification

The West-Palearctic region is a diversity hotspot for the ant genus Aphaenogaster . Species in this are characterized by high morphological variation, which has led to their subdivisioninto different infrageneric groups. very first classification three subgenera, dated 1915, was gradually replaced eight species-groups. To probe evolutionary consistency of these species-groups, we sequenced 46 species from all species-groups and biogeographic sectors region, using one mitochondrial (COI) six nuclear markers (EPICs), interpreted results integrating qualitative morphology. Our demonstrate non-monophyly formerly recognized subgenera except crocea group. We use phylogeny characters propose new monophyletic ( , gibbosa graeca pallida sardoa subterranea ). (formerly testaceopilosa ) groups attain status reassigning few taxa. group be considered exclusively Western-Mediterranean until further assessments similar Eastern species. established including former members splendida groups, while polyphyletic cecconii obsidiana dismissed. Notably, not part tropical Deromyrma clade as previously thought, at least two independent clades require investigation composed both suggesting repeated convergences based on ecological adaptations. Finally, A. cardenai confirmed significantly divergent lineage. In addition, moved genera: Messor asmaae (Sharaf, 2018) comb. nov., isekram (Bernard, 1977) Pheidole sarae nov. Further studies should address relationships between recovered study.