Phylogenetic analysis of species of the neotropical social wasp Epipona Latreille, 1802 (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Polistinae, Epiponini) Author Andena, Sergio R. University of Vermont – Department of Biology, Marsh Life Science Building, 109 Carrigan Drive, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA sergioricardoandena@gmail.com Author Carpenter, James M. Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79 th Street, New York, NY 10024, USA Author Pickett, Kurt M. University of Vermont – Department of Biology, Marsh Life Science Building, 109 Carrigan Drive, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA text ZooKeys 2009 2009-09-14 20 20 385 398 journal article 22552 10.3897/zookeys.20.79 585fe4df-6505-43e6-9607-8ef2095a3fd6 1313–2970 576522 7F8A4244-5246-4A2C-A944-AD6C10D3A1FC Identification key for the species of Epipona The identification key presented here is a revision of Cooper’s (2002) key, to include only characters of females, which were also used in the phylogenetic analysis. 1 Propodeal concavity with transverse carinae or rugae reaching middle ( Fig. 3 ); medial scutellar line shallowly impressed; metapleuron impunctate or with fine and sparse punctures on upper region; Tergum I with anterior third of pre-spiracular area flat above; Tergum II coriaceous, without obvious punctation or with shallow and very sparse punctation....................................... 2 1’ Propodeal concavity coarsely punctate, without transverse carinae or rugae present only at edge of lateral region, absent medially ( Fig. 4 ); median scutellar line markedly depressed behind; metapleuron punctate ventrally; Tergum I with anterior third of pre-spiracular area convex above; Tergum II usually punctate...................................................................................................... 3 2 Vertex strongly excavated posteriorly (Fig. 9); propodeal punctation medium to dense, usually with conspicuous, impunctate anterodorsal area (Fig. 7) .... ........................................................................................ E. niger (Brèthes) 2’ Vertex only concave posteriorly (Fig. 10); propodeal punctation dense, punctate throughtout ( Fig. 8 ) ........................................ E. guerini (de Saussure) 3 Tergum I with wide lateral projections anteriorly, with very dense, long hairs ( Fig. 5 ); pronotum markedly projecting at humerus ( Fig. 1 ); Tergum II with punctation evident.................................... E. quadrituberculata (Gribodo) 3’ Tergum I without lateral projections anteriorly, with sparse to medium hairs ( Fig. 6 ); pronotum not or slightly projecting at humerus ( Fig. 2 ); Tergum II with or without evident punctation ............................................................ 4 4 Tergum II shining or sometimes slightly coriaceous with numerous moderate punctures (Fig. 11) ........................................................... E. tatua (Cuvier) 4’ Tergum II opaque to slightly shining, coriaceous with punctures fine and sparse, sometimes not evident (Fig. 12)............................. E. media Cooper