Systematic Revision and Phylogeny of the Neotropical Ant Genus Linepithema

在这个由国际科学与工程办公室美洲项目资助的项目中，Philip S. Ward和Alexander Wild将对新热带蚂蚁属Linepithema Mayr 1866进行分类修订和系统发育分析。这个项目是与巴拉圭国家自然历史博物馆的John a . Kochalka合作完成的。它包括在南美洲南部的线线虫多样性中心进行实地工作，参观南美洲和欧洲的博物馆，检查重要的岩螨学收藏品和模式标本，以及开发用于系统发育重建的DNA序列数据。线蚁（Linepithema）是一种极其重要的入侵蚂蚁，其中阿根廷蚁（L. humile）是世界上最成功和最具破坏性的入侵蚂蚁之一。需要对该群体进行适当的分类处理，以便通过生物防治对其进行正确的识别和潜在的管理。该项目的结果将发布在互联网上，并将为非常广泛的受众所访问。在更广泛的范围内，这项研究应该有助于对入侵物种的整体性质提供更严格的理解。国外的实地工作将提供国际经验，这将加强研究生的训练。

In this project funded by the Americas Program of the Office of International Science and Engineering, Philip S. Ward and Alexander Wild will provide a taxonomic revision and phylogenetic analysis of the Neotropical ant genus Linepithema Mayr 1866. This project is a collaborative effort with John A. Kochalka at the Museo Nacional de Historia Natural in Paraguay. It involves field work in the center of diversity for Linepithema in southern South America, museum visits to examine important myrmecological collections and type specimens in South America and Europe, and development of DNA sequence data to be used in phylogenetic reconstruction.Linepithema is an extremely important invasive ant, and the Argentine ant L. humile is highly successful and one of the most damaging invasive pest ants worldwide. A proper taxonomic treatment of this group is required for its correct identification and potential management through bio-control. The results of the project will be posted on the Internet and will be accessible to a very broad audience. On a broader scale, this study should help provide a more rigorous understanding of the nature of invasive species as a whole. The field work abroad will provide an international experience that will enhance a graduate student's training.