biostudies-literatureSchar SSwiss National Science Foundation5970https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8993915biostudies-literatureUnknown12(1)Biological invasions are a grave threat to ecosystems. The black garden ant (Lasius niger) is a pest species in Europe. Current literature states that L. niger occupies a disjunct native distribution in the Holarctic, however, based on recent work, we re-evaluate this distribution. The native range of L. niger is reconsidered based on phylogenetic relationships (nine mitochondrial and nuclear markers, 5670 bp), DNA-barcoding (98 Holarctic specimens), morphometry (88 Holarctic specimens, 19 different measurements) and subjective assessment of phenotype. The potential spread of this species is estimated using ecological niche modeling. Lasius niger is more closely related to other Palearctic species than to the Nearctic ants known under this name. The latter are described as a distinct speciScientific reportsIntegrative taxonomy reveals cryptic diversity in North American Lasius ants, and an overlooked introduced species.PMC8993915P2SKP3_161677Schar SVila RTalavera GRana JDCover SPShattuck SOEspadaler XfalseIntegrative taxonomy reveals cryptic diversity in North American Lasius ants, and an overlooked introduced species.Biological invasions are a grave threat to ecosystems. The black garden ant (Lasius niger) is a pest species in Europe. Current literature states that L. niger occupies a disjunct native distribution in the Holarctic, however, based on recent work, we re-evaluate this distribution. The native range of L. niger is reconsidered based on phylogenetic relationships (nine mitochondrial and nuclear markers, 5670 bp), DNA-barcoding (98 Holarctic specimens), morphometry (88 Holarctic specimens, 19 different measurements) and subjective assessment of phenotype. The potential spread of this species is estimated using ecological niche modeling. Lasius niger is more closely related to other Palearctic species than to the Nearctic ants known under this name. The latter are described as a distinct speci2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Apr2026-06-18T04:59:36.593Z2025-04-06T04:01:09.834ZS-EPMC89939153539649610.1038/s41598-022-10047-9