New suggestion of the species group reconstruction of genus Nomada Scopoli, 1770 (Hymenoptera, Apidae) from Korea

Abstract

Genus Nomada, which includes approximately 800 species, is the largest genus in the subfamily Nomadinae and the sole genus in the tribe Nomadini. Its taxonomic classification is particularly challenging due to high morphological variations, making it one of the most controversial groups in the subfamily. In order to shed light on the complex classification of Nomada species and their tribal position, this study conducted a multi-locus phylogeny using one mitochondrial gene (COI) and five nuclear protein-coding genes (EF1α, Nak, Opsin, Pol Π, Wingless). The study focused on expanding the knowledge of some East Palearctic species, with the ultimate goal of reviewing species groups of Nomada present in Korea. In this study, we suggest that the ruficornis species group is polyphyletic. Some species should be moved to more appropriate species groups as follows: N. tsunekiana, N. emarginata, and N. flavopicta into the basalis species group; N. aswensis, N. kaguya, and N. taicho into the armata species group.