A taxonomic review of Colobopsis minus (Wang & Wu, 1994), comb. nov. from China, with description of all castes (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)
Camponotus and Colobopsis are two species-rich genera within the ant tribe Camponotini. Despite their non-sister phylogenetic relationship, pronounced morphological convergence has long complicated their taxonomic delineation. Here, we clarify the status of Colobopsis minus (Wang & Wu, 1994), comb. nov., a taxon historically misassigned to Camponotus, through an integrative approach combining COI phylogenetics, caste-specific morphometrics, and pupae type. We provide the first comprehensive description of all castes (minor and major workers, gynes, and males), alongside two taxonomic keys to Chinese Colobopsis species. Critical evidence for reclassification includes: (1) phragmotic major workers with Colobopsis-specific cephalic modifications; (2) naked pupae and (3) molecular phylogenetic analyses of COI barcode sequences, which robustly place C. minus within the Colobopsis clade. This study underscores the necessity of synthesizing phylogenetic data with detailed morphological analysis to disentangle complex taxonomic histories in hyperdiverse ant groups.
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