2025/03/26 by Chao Chen, Hao Ran, Wenxiang Zhang +2
paper · doi:10.20362/am.018003
The ants of genus Syscia, are cryptic with an unequal distribution in Asia and the Americas; Currently, there are 34 species known in the New World, but only a mere 10 species are recognized in Asia. The New World species have been systematized, whereas Old World species are currently still at the stage of isolated species descriptions. Herewith a new species, namely Syscia chinensis sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on the worker caste. S. chinensis is the first species reported with 10-segmented antennae in this genus, and it is also one of the smallest minority species in this genus. These two characteristics readily distinguish the new species, and these morphological differences are supported by a phylogenetic analysis. A key based on the worker caste is provided for the known Asian species.