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<p>Social insect colonies harbor various inquiline species that exploit nest resources. In particular, comparing the ecology of closely related inquilines that utilize the same host provides key insights into the evolution of parasitic strategies. <i>Myrmecophilus kubotai</i> Maruyama, 2004 (Orthoptera: Myrmecophilidae) comprises two genetically distinct lineages (<i>M. kubotai</i> lineage 1 and 2) that associate with different ant species. <i>Myrmecophilus kubotai</i> lineage 1 and its allied species <i>M. tetramorii</i> Ichikawa, 2001 share the host ant <i>Tetramorium tsushimae</i> Emery, 1925 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), making them a valuable model for studying host exploitation. In this study, we describe <i>M. kubotai</i> lineage 1 as a new species, <i>M. affinis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b>, and recognize lineage 2 as the true representative of <i>M. kubotai</i>. This classification is based on morphological observations of the pronotal surface structure, which is a character traditionally used for species identification within the genus. Additionally, we identified morphological differences between <i>M. affinis</i> and <i>M. tetramorii</i>. Furthermore, we developed a non-invasive identification method to distinguish <i>M. affinis</i> and <i>M. tetramorii</i> based on the relative lengths of three pairs of setae on the tenth abdominal tergite. These findings clarify the taxonomic status of the <i>M. kubotai</i> species complex and facilitate species identification, thereby significantly contributing to comparative studies on <i>M. affinis</i> and <i>M. tetramorii</i>, which share the same host.</p>

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Development of a non-invasive method for differentiating a new Myrmecophilus species (Orthoptera: Myrmecophilidae) from its closely related host-sharing species

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月26日

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  • Yusei Takaishi,
  • Kenji Matsuura

摘要

Social insect colonies harbor various inquiline species that exploit nest resources. In particular, comparing the ecology of closely related inquilines that utilize the same host provides key insights into the evolution of parasitic strategies. Myrmecophilus kubotai Maruyama, 2004 (Orthoptera: Myrmecophilidae) comprises two genetically distinct lineages (M. kubotai lineage 1 and 2) that associate with different ant species. Myrmecophilus kubotai lineage 1 and its allied species M. tetramorii Ichikawa, 2001 share the host ant Tetramorium tsushimae Emery, 1925 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), making them a valuable model for studying host exploitation. In this study, we describe M. kubotai lineage 1 as a new species, M. affinis sp. nov., and recognize lineage 2 as the true representative of M. kubotai. This classification is based on morphological observations of the pronotal surface structure, which is a character traditionally used for species identification within the genus. Additionally, we identified morphological differences between M. affinis and M. tetramorii. Furthermore, we developed a non-invasive identification method to distinguish M. affinis and M. tetramorii based on the relative lengths of three pairs of setae on the tenth abdominal tergite. These findings clarify the taxonomic status of the M. kubotai species complex and facilitate species identification, thereby significantly contributing to comparative studies on M. affinis and M. tetramorii, which share the same host.