Data from: X-ray microtomography for ant taxonomy: an exploration and case study with two new Terataner (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae) species from Madagascar

We explore the potential of x-ray micro computed tomography (μCT) for the field of ant taxonomy by using it to enhance the descriptions of two remarkable new species of the ant genus Terataner: T. balrog sp. n. and T. nymeria sp. n.. We provide an illustrated worker-based species identification key for all species found on Madagascar, as well as detailed taxonomic descriptions, which include diagnoses, discussions, measurements, natural history data, high-quality montage images and distribution maps for both new species. In addition to conventional morphological examination, we have used virtual reconstructions based on volumetric μCT scanning data for the species descriptions. We also include 3D PDFs, still images of virtual reconstructions, and 3D rotation videos for both holotype workers and one paratype queen. The complete μCT datasets have been made available online (Dryad, https://datadryad.org) and represent the first cybertypes in ants (and insects). We discuss the potential of μCT scanning and critically assess the usefulness of cybertypes for ant taxonomy.

本研究探讨了X射线显微计算机断层扫描（X-ray micro computed tomography，μCT）在蚂蚁分类学领域的应用潜力，通过该技术对塔特兰蚁属（Terataner）的两个极具特色的新种——T. balrog sp. n.与T. nymeria sp. n.——进行描述升级。我们为马达加斯加境内发现的所有该属物种提供了带图解的基于工蚁的物种鉴定检索表，并为这两个新种提供了详尽的分类学描述，内容涵盖鉴别特征、讨论、测量数据、自然历史信息、高质量拼接图像以及分布图。除传统形态学检查外，我们还基于容积μCT扫描数据构建的虚拟重建模型开展物种描述。此外，我们还为正模工蚁以及1头副模蚁后提供了3D PDFs、虚拟重建模型的静态图像以及3D旋转视频。完整的μCT数据集已上传至公开平台Dryad（https://datadryad.org），这是蚂蚁（乃至昆虫）类群中首次出现的数字模式标本（cybertypes）。我们探讨了μCT扫描技术的应用潜力，并批判性评估了数字模式标本在蚂蚁分类学中的实用价值。