A genus-level classification of the ant subfamily Ponerinae (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)
The genus-level classification of the ant subfamily Ponerinae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is revised based on a comprehensive phylogenomic analysis of more than 2,300 ultraconserved element (UCE) loci across 1,170 sampled specimens representing 1,020 taxa (600 valid species and 420 morphospecies) and all described ponerine genera known from workers. While most previously defined genus groups are recovered as monophyletic, several genera are shown to be polyphyletic or paraphyletic. To resolve these inconsistencies, four new genera are described: Boltonopone gen. nov., Makebapone gen. nov., Subiridopone gen. nov., and Sritoponera gen. nov. Xiphopelta stat. rev. is revalidated and Euponera is restricted by expanding Fisheropone to absorb a paraphyletic assemblage. Mesoponera is split into four lineages, resulting in transfers to Makebapone, Subiridopone, and Xiphopelta. Iroponera syn. nov. is synonymized under Cryptopone and additional new synonymies at both the generic and species levels are established. Morphological diagnoses are revised for each affected genus, and updated species lists and new combinations are provided. The updated classification recognizes 54 valid genera within Ponerinae and acknowledges an additional lineage that will be formally described in a subsequent publication. To support identification and comparative studies, revised keys to all extant Ponerinae genera are provided, presented by biogeographic region (African and Malagasy, Palearctic–Indomalaya–Australasia, and New World). This classification is intended to provide a stable, phylogenetically informed framework for future research on ponerine ants.
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