Phylogenomic species delimitation and bird guide taxonomy in the Neotropical ant genus Rasopone (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Rasopone Schmidt & Shattuck is a poorly known lineage of ants that live in Neotropical forests. Incorporating results from ultraconserved element (UCE) phylogenomics and DNA barcodes, we revised the genus, providing a new morphological diagnosis and a species-level treatment. Our study provides foundational descriptive taxonomy that will facilitate research on the biogeography, ecology, and evolutionary history of ants in the Middle American corridor, while also demonstrating the value of integrating phylogenomic data into species delimitation.