The genetic characterization of Myrmelachista spp. Roger (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) specimens collected in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil

Sociobiology

Márcia Akemi Nakano²  Vitor Fernandes Miranda³  Maria Santina Morini²  Rodrigo Machado Feistosa¹ 

[1] Universidade Federal do Paraná;Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes;Universidade Estadual Paulista

关键词: twigs;    ISSR molecular markers;    Formicinae;    UPGMA;    similarity;   

DOI  :  

来源: Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Brazil

【 摘 要 】

Arboreal ants of the genusMyrmelachista , which have ecologically important relationships with different vegetable species, are found exclusively in the Neotropical region. These ant species are difficult to identify, and their taxonomy remains controversial; moreover, little is known regarding their biology. The objective of the present work is to assess the genetic similarities and dissimilarities between and withinMyrmelachistaspecies, with the goal of expanding knowledge of the relationships among the taxa of this genus. Sample collection in selected regions of the dense ombrophile forest of southeastern Brazil yielded 256 nests, which were found in vegetation or among scattered twigs in the leaf litter; eight species were recorded. A total of 180 specimens were analyzed, producing 123 molecular characters. Data analyses revealed similarity relationships that allowed the examined species to be classified into the following groups: (1)Myrmelachistasp. 4,M. nodigera ,M. ruszkiiandM. gallicola ; (2)M. catharinaeandM. arthuri ; (3)M. reticulata ; and (4)Myrmelachistasp. 7. The study results also revealed the existence of two morphological variants ofM. catharinae ;M. arthuriwas more closely related to one of theseM. catharinaevariants than to the other variant. The present work provides important information regarding genetic variation amongMyrmelachistaspecies that may contribute to interpreting the complex morphology of this genus.

【 授权许可】

Unknown