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Student 10-Minute Presentation

Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity

Student

Student Competition

Undergrad 10-min Competition: SysEB, General 2

Taxonomic revision of Nylanderia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from the Galápagos Islands

Monday, November 11, 2024
8:36 AM – 8:48 AM MST
Location: Phoenix Convention Center, 224 A, PCC
Oral Presentation Student Competition

The ant genus Nylanderia has a near-global distribution and includes 123 described species, at least 15 of which are known to have been inadvertently introduced outside their native ranges via human-mediated dispersal. These ‘globetrotting’ Nylanderia raise significant economic and conservation concerns as potentially destructive invasive species and are difficult to differentiate from native species because of their cryptic morphology. Nylanderia species are often only distinguished by subtle differences in color, size, and pubescence. The Galápagos Islands hold paramount significance as an area in need of conservation due to their unique and fragile ecosystems. However, little is known about Nylanderia fauna inhabiting the islands, including species presence, status, and distributions. Only the ‘globetrotting’ species N. steinheili and N. fulva have been identified from the islands and two to five other species remain unidentified, some of which may be endemic. The goals of this project are to revise the taxonomy of Nylanderia species on the Galápagos Islands, map their distributions, and provide identification resources, including a dichotomous key and high-resolution images for each species. This foundational knowledge is crucial for preserving the region’s biodiversity and improving rapid detection and management of invasive Nylanderia species.