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

Authors

  • Márcia Akemi Nakano Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes
  • Vitor Fernandes Miranda Universidade Estadual Paulista
  • Rodrigo Machado Feistosa Universidade Federal do Paraná
  • Maria Santina Morini Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v61i1.21-27

Keywords:

twigs, ISSR molecular markers, Formicinae, UPGMA, similarity

Abstract

Arboreal ants of the genus Myrmelachista, 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 within Myrmelachista species, 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) Myrmelachista sp. 4, M. nodigera, M. ruszkii and M. gallicola; (2) M. catharinae and M. arthuri; (3) M. reticulata; and (4) Myrmelachista sp. 7. The study results also revealed the existence of two morphological variants of M. catharinae; M. arthuri was more closely related to one of these M. catharinae variants than to the other variant. The present work provides important information regarding genetic variation among Myrmelachista species that may contribute to interpreting the complex morphology of this genus.

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Author Biographies

Márcia Akemi Nakano, Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes

Núcleo de Ciências Ambientais

Vitor Fernandes Miranda, Universidade Estadual Paulista

Departamento de Biologia

Rodrigo Machado Feistosa, Universidade Federal do Paraná

Departamento de Zoologia

Maria Santina Morini, Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes

Núcleo de Ciências Ambientais

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Published

2014-04-21

How to Cite

Nakano, M. A., Miranda, V. F., Feistosa, R. M., & Morini, M. S. (2014). The genetic characterization of Myrmelachista spp. Roger (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) specimens collected in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. Sociobiology, 61(1), 21–27. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v61i1.21-27

Issue

Vol. 61 No. 1 (2014)

Section

Research Article - Ants

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