Data from: Next-generation morphological character discovery and evaluation: an X-ray micro-CT enhanced revision of the ant genus Zasphinctus Wheeler (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Dorylinae) in the Afrotropics

New technologies for imaging and analysis of morphological characters
offer opportunities to enhance revisionary taxonomy and better integrate
it with the rest of biology. In this study, we revise the Afrotropical
fauna of the ant genus Zasphinctus Wheeler, and use high-resolution X-ray
microtomography (micro-CT) to analyse a number of morphological characters
of taxonomic and biological interest. We recognise and describe three new
species: Z. obamai sp. n., Z. sarowiwai sp. n., and Z. wilsoni sp. n. The
species delimitations are based on the morphological examination of all
physical specimens in combination with 3D scans and volume
reconstructions. Based on this approach, we present a new taxonomic
discrimination system for the regional fauna that consists of a
combination of easily observable morphological characters visible at
magnifications of around 80–100 ×, less observable characters that require
higher magnifications, as well as characters made visible through virtual
dissections that would otherwise require destructive treatment.
Zasphinctus are rarely collected ants and the material available to us is
comparatively scarce. Consequently, we explore the use of micro-CT as a
non-invasive tool for the virtual examination, manipulation, and
dissection of such rare material. Furthermore, we delineate the treated
species by providing a diagnostic character matrix illustrated by numerous
images and supplement that with additional evidence in the form of stacked
montage images, 3D PDFs and 3D rotation videos of scans of major body
parts and full body (in total we provide 16 stacked montage photographs,
116 images of 3D reconstructions, 15 3D rotation videos, and 13 3D PDFs).
In addition to the comparative morphology analyses used for species
delimitations, we also apply micro-CT data to examine certain traits, such
as mouthparts, cuticle thickness, and thoracic and abdominal muscles in
order to assess their taxonomic usefulness or gain insights into the
natural history of the genus. The complete datasets comprising the raw
micro-CT data, 3D PDFs, 3D rotation videos, still images of 3D models, and
coloured montage photos have been made available online as cybertypes
(Dryad, http://dx.doi.org/10.5061/dryad.4s3v1).