A never-ending story: updated 3D cyber-taxonomic revision of the ant genus Zasphinctus Wheeler (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Dorylinae) for the Afrotropical region.

ABSTRACT: The ant genus Zasphinctus are fascinating ants due to their distinctive morphology, ecology, and rarity. In this study, a comprehensive revision of Zasphinctus in the Afrotropical region is presented, through a combination of morphological examination under the light microscope and three-dimensional (3D) cyber-taxonomy based on microtomography (micro-CT). Micro-CT based 3D surface models of all species were used for virtual morphological visualisation and examination. The 3D models were virtually visualised, rotated, scaled, and dissected in order to obtain the best shape data for whole specimens or individual body parts. This approach offered a greatly improved character evaluation, allowing the development of an updated taxonomic species delimitation system for the genus. O

SUBMITTER: Hita Garcia F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11736307 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature