Phylogeographic Structure and Genetic Variation in Formica Ants

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Phylogeographic Structure and Genetic Variation in Formica Ants Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Science and Technology 912 Phylogeographic Structure and Genetic Variation in Formica Ants BY ANNA GOROPASHNAYA ACTA UNIVERSITATIS UPSALIENSIS UPPSALA 2003 Dissertation to be publicly examined in Lindahl-salen, EBC, Uppsala University, on Saturday, December, 20, 2003 at 10:00, for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. The examination will be conducted in English. Abstract Goropashnaya, A. 2003. Phylogeographic Structure and Genetic Variation in Formica Ants. Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis. Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Science and Technology 912. 36 pp. Uppsala. ISBN 91-554-5818-1. The aim of this thesis is to study phylogeny, species-wide phylogeography and genetic diversity in Formica ants across Eurasia in connection with the history of biotic responses to Quaternary environmental changes. The mitochondrial DNA phylogeny of Palaearctic Formica species supported the subgeneric grouping based on morphological similarity. The exception was that F. uralensis formed a separate phylogenetic group. The mitochondrial DNA phylogeny of the F. rufa group showed the division into three major phylogenetic groups: one with the species F. polyctena and F. rufa, one with F. aquilonia, F. lugubris and F. paralugubris, and the third one with F. pratensis. West-east phylogeographic divisions were found in F. pratensis suggesting post-glacial colonization of western Europe and a wide area from Sweden to the Baikal Lake from separate forest refugia. In contrast, no phylogeographic divisions were detected in either F. lugubris or F. exsecta. Contraction of the distribution range to a single refugial area during the late Pleistocene and the following population expansion could offer a general explanation for the lack of phylogeographic structure across most of Eurasia in these species. Sympatrically distributed and ecologically similar species F. uralensis and F. candida showed clear difference in the phylogeographic structure that reflected difference in their vicariant history. Whereas no phylogeographic divisions were detected in F. uralensis across Europe, F. candida showed a well-supported phylogeographic division between the western, the central and the southern group. In socially polymorphic F. cinerea , the overall level of intrapopulation microsatellite diversity was relatively high and differentiation among populations was low, indicating recent historical connections. The lack of correspondence between genetic affinities and geographic locations of studied populations did not provide any evidence for differentiating between alternative hypotheses concerning the directions and sources of postglacial colonization of Fennoscandia. Keywords: Formica ants, phylogeography, phylogeny, Pleistocene refugia, population expansion, social organization Anna Goropashnaya, Department of Evolutionary Biology, Uppsala University, Norbyv. 18 D, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden. © Anna Goropashnaya 2003 ISSN 1104-232X ISBN 91-554-5818-1 URN:NBN:se:uu:diva-3803 (http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-3803) A. " # $ Formica &' % ( b ) & ( A. " % * V. $ Formica rufa &' % (+ ,-! &accepted( A. " % * V. $ # $ . Formica pratensis F. lugubris &' % ( & ( " A. " % * V. $ . Formica excecta &' % ( ,-! & ( " A. " # / &0112( # Formica cinerea 21+ 031450323. CONTENTS Introduction 5 Pleistocene ice ages and their consequences 5 Formica ants 6 Genetic markers 7 Objectives 9 Results and Discussion 10 Phylogenetic relationships of Palaearctic Formica species 10 Limited phylogeographic structure across Eurasia in the ants Formica pratensis, F. lugubris and F. exsecta 16 Mitochondrial DNA variation in Formica uralensis and F. candida 23 Genetic characteristics of northern European populations of Formica cinerea 26 Conclusions 29 Acknowledgments 31 References 32 4 INTRODUCTION Pleistocene ice ages and their consequences During the Pleistocene, the climate underwent dramatic fluctuations due to the orbital eccentricity of the earth around the sun (cf. Bennett 1997). These climate oscillations were expressed in ice ages that lasted from 10 to 100 kyr, and relatively short warm interglacials. During the glacials, massive ice sheets partly covered the land, and vast continental areas represented Arctic desert and tundra (Andersen & Borns 1997). As a consequence, all forest biota could not survive in the changed environment but moved to more suitable habitats further to the south or to the sheltered and moist valleys in mountain areas (Stewart & Lister 2001). The last glaciation that started about 115 kyr before present (BP) was characterized by colder and warmer periods with the last glacial maximum 22-18 kyr BP (Andersen & Borns 1997). According to paleoecological data, the most of non-glaciated northern Eurasia during that stage was covered by treeless vegetation (West 2000). Therefore, forest species were confined to small areas with favorable conditions, i.e. refugia, where they could survive the glacials and then re- colonize previously unsuitable habitats during interglacials. Recent paleoecological and genetic studies suggest that refugia for boreal and temperate species occurred not only in Iberia, Italy and the Balkans as previously suggested (Hewitt 1996) but also in Central and Northern Europe, the southern Urals and Siberia, and on the coasts of the Azov and Black Seas (Lagercrantz & Ryman 1990; Bilton et al. 1998; Tarasov et al. 2000; Schmitt & Seitz 2001; Jaarola & Searle 2002; Brunhoff et al. 2003; Haase et al. 2003;). Past isolation in separate glacial refugia and following post-glacial colonization are reflected in genes and gene pools of extant species (Hewitt 1996). Separation in different glacial refugia generated intraspecific divergence, and the isolated gene pools were protected from mixing by hybrid zones during interglacials. Throughout several glacial periods refugial separation became reflected in the phylogeographic structure, i. e. significant association between the genealogical relationship and geographic distribution of alleles. Since forest remained only in restricted areas during the last glaciation, the refugial populations of many forest species were small. Therefore, genetic drift was a strong factor in those populations and could lead to loss of genetic variation within each refugium and genetic differentiation between different refugia in a short time. With the advent of favorable conditions, forest fauna and flora spread over the continent resulting in an admixture of different refugial populations and/or forming suture zones. Unlike 5 phylogeography based on relatively slow evolving insect mtDNA (2% per Myr; DeSalle et al. 1987), a population level analysis that takes into account not only the haplotype genealogy but also differentiation in haplotype frequencies, can reveal refugial separation over shallow time span of the last glaciation. The genetic signal of the past refugial separation is expected to be stronger in species with limited dispersal abilities. Demographic history of populations is also reflected in genes and gene pools (Rogers 1995; Kuhner et al. 1998). While the refugial and colonization history has been studied by using genetic markers in a number of boreal forest species in North America (cf. Arbogast &Kenagy 2001; Lessa et al. 2003), Eurasian species have received much less attention. Forest taxa studied to date across the Palaearctic are mostly avian species. More phylogeographic studies are needed to elucidate the post-glacial history of Eurasian forest biota. Although the routes of the re-colonization may have been unique for different species, evidence of shared refugia has emerged from molecular data on various taxa (Taberlet et al. 1998; Hewitt 1999). Formica ants Formica ants represent a large group of soil insects that occur mainly in the Holarctic. There are about 150 species of this genus a bigger part of which is distributed in the Nearctic and a smaller part in the Palaearctic. Many species are widespread and abundant, and they play an important role in ecosystems being active predators, tending aphids and improving soil composition. Most taxonomists have distinguished four subgenera in the European Formica species (e.g. Dlussky 1967): Raptiformica, Coptoformica, Serviformica, and Formica s. str. The subgeneric subdivision of the Formica ants based on morphology has been questioned and remained unclear, and an earlier study based on allozymes of 13 species did not help to solve the question. Taxonomy of the F. rufa group ants that belong to Formica s. str. has also been unstable mainly because of their morphological similarity and ability to hybridize and to form mixed colonies (cf. Czechowski 1996). Since ants of this group are strictly associated with forest, estimating the divergence time among the species can reveal the possible speciation effect of the Pleistocene environmental changes. Formica species demonstrate a great diversity of complex behavior and social organization. The subgenus Raptiformica includes slave-making species, and the subgenera Formica s. str. and Coptoformica use temporary parasitism as a mode of founding new colonies, while the species of 6 the subgenus Serviformica are used as slaves. The organization of colonies ranges from simple monogynous (single-
Recommended publications
  • Killarney, Barraduff & Gneeveguilla Wwtp Discharges Natura Impact Statement
    KERRY COUNTY COUNCIL COMHAIRLE CONTAE CHIARRAÍ KILLARNEY, BARRADUFF & GNEEVEGUILLA WWTP DISCHARGES NATURA IMPACT STATEMENT For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. JANUARY 2010 CONSULTING ENGINEERS Sherwood House, Sherwood Avenue, Taylor’s Hill, Galway Suite D4, The Cubes Offices, Beacon South Quarter, Sandyford Dublin 18 EPA Export 04-11-2011:03:50:18 Quality Control CLIENT Kerry County Council PROJECT NO 2178 PROJECT TITLE KILLARNEY, BARRADUFF & GNEEVEGUILLA WWTP DISCHARGES REPORT TITLE NATURA IMPACT STATEMENT Rev. Status Author(s) Reviewed By Approved By Issue Date 1 ISSUE GH MJ MJ 04.03.2011 For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. Natura Impact Statement Page 2 EPA Export 04-11-2011:03:50:18 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................ 4 1.1 BACKGROUND.....................................................................................................................4 1.2 APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT – LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT...............................................5 1.3 NATURA 2000 SITES ...........................................................................................................7 1.4 SCHEME LOCATIONS..........................................................................................................8 2 METHODOLOGY.......................................................................................... 11 2.1 DESK STUDY......................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • New Records of the Rare Ant Species (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in Poland
    B ALTIC COASTAL ZONE Vol. 24 pp. 73–80 2020 ISSN 2083-5485 © Copyright by Institute of Modern Languages of the Pomeranian University in Słupsk Received: 7/04/2021 Original research paper Accepted: 25/05/2021 NEW RECORDS OF THE RARE ANT SPECIES (HYMENOPTERA, FORMICIDAE) IN POLAND Alexander Radchenko1, Oleg Aleksandrowicz2 1 Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology NAS of Ukraine, B. Khmelnitskogo str., 15, Kiev-30, 01-630, Ukraine e-mail: [email protected] 2 Institute of Biology and Earth Sciences, Pomeranian University in Słupsk, Poland e-mail: [email protected] Abstract There are two rare ant’s species were found on the northern part of the Wielkie Bagno peat bog in Słowiński National Park. More than 10 workers of Formica picea and four dealate gynes of Myrmica karavajevi were collected in pitfall traps 2-12 of August 2006. Key words: rare ant species, Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Słowiński National Park INTRODUCTION At present, 104 species of ants from 25 genera of 4 subfamilies are known in Poland (Salata and Borowiec 2011, Czechowski et al. 2012), among which there are a couple of rare species, including Formica picea Nylander, 1846 and Myrmica karavajevi (Arnoldi 1930). Both of them are known from sporadic fi nds in various regions of Poland (see below), and one of the authors of this article had collected them on the territory of the Słowiński National Park (Baltic Shore). STUDY AREA The Wielkie Bagno (Great Bog) is a raised bog of the Baltic type (UTM XA56; 54°41’44.55”N 17°29’6.90”E). Its northern part located on the territory of the Słow- iński National Park (Fig.
    [Show full text]
  • An Ecomorph of Formica Pratensis Retzius, 1783 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)
    © Entomologica Fennica. 8.1.1992 Formica nigricans Emery, 1909 - an ecomorph of Formica pratensis Retzius, 1783 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) Bernhard Seifet·t Seifert, B. 1992: Formica nigricans Emery 1909 - an ecomorph of Formica pratensis Retzius, 1783 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). --'-- Entomol. Fennica 2:217-226. Workers and queens from 224 nest samples of Formica pratensis Retzius originating from all over Europe, but mainly from Germany were investigated for several morphological characters, particularly pilosity. Statistic differences between the hairy N morph (=F. nigricans Emery 1909) and the less hairy P morph in body size, pilosity, geographic frequency, habitat selection and mound construction could be shown but other aspects of external biology coincide. There are no suggestions of reproductive isolation of the m01·phs which are interpreted as different genotypes of the same population and represent different ecological adaptions. The strong decrease of N morph frequency in pratensis populations from S toN Europe, its higher frequency in more xerothermous habitats in Germany, and its well-documented peculiarity of constructing higher mounds than the P morph for conditions of equal sun­ exposure characterize the N morph as a genotype adapted to higher tempera­ tures. In Germany, as much as 16% of pratensis nests investigated contained both m01·phs. Polycalic colonies are found in both m01·phs but isolated nests predominate. Formica minor pratensoides GoBwald 1951 is a synonym of pratensis and refers to polycalic colonies of the P morph which occasionally occur inside more mesophilic, less sun-exposed forests. Bernhard Seifert, Staatliches Museum fiir Naturkunde Garlitz, D0-8900 Garlitz, Am Museum 1, Germany 1. Introduction on this matter, I was biased towards the view that pratensis and nigricans were sympatric, repro­ There has been an everlasting controversy on the ductively isolated biospecies.
    [Show full text]
  • Natural Communities of Michigan: Classification and Description
    Natural Communities of Michigan: Classification and Description Prepared by: Michael A. Kost, Dennis A. Albert, Joshua G. Cohen, Bradford S. Slaughter, Rebecca K. Schillo, Christopher R. Weber, and Kim A. Chapman Michigan Natural Features Inventory P.O. Box 13036 Lansing, MI 48901-3036 For: Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division and Forest, Mineral and Fire Management Division September 30, 2007 Report Number 2007-21 Version 1.2 Last Updated: July 9, 2010 Suggested Citation: Kost, M.A., D.A. Albert, J.G. Cohen, B.S. Slaughter, R.K. Schillo, C.R. Weber, and K.A. Chapman. 2007. Natural Communities of Michigan: Classification and Description. Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Report Number 2007-21, Lansing, MI. 314 pp. Copyright 2007 Michigan State University Board of Trustees. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status or family status. Cover photos: Top left, Dry Sand Prairie at Indian Lake, Newaygo County (M. Kost); top right, Limestone Bedrock Lakeshore, Summer Island, Delta County (J. Cohen); lower left, Muskeg, Luce County (J. Cohen); and lower right, Mesic Northern Forest as a matrix natural community, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Ontonagon County (M. Kost). Acknowledgements We thank the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division and Forest, Mineral, and Fire Management Division for funding this effort to classify and describe the natural communities of Michigan. This work relied heavily on data collected by many present and former Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) field scientists and collaborators, including members of the Michigan Natural Areas Council.
    [Show full text]
  • Lasius Fuliginosus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Shapes Local Ant Assemblages
    NORTH-WESTERN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 10 (2): 404-412 ©NwjZ, Oradea, Romania, 2014 Article No.: 141104 http://biozoojournals.ro/nwjz/index.html Lasius fuliginosus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) shapes local ant assemblages Piotr ŚLIPIŃSKI1,*, Bálint MARKÓ2, Kamil RZESZOWSKI1, Hanna BABIK1 and Wojciech CZECHOWSKI1 1. Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wilcza 64, 00-679 Warsaw, Poland, E-mails: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]. 2. Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Clinicilor str. 5-7, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania, E-mail: [email protected]. * Corresponding author, P. Ślipiński, E-mail: [email protected] Received: 20. December 2013 / Accepted: 22. March 2014 / Available online: 17. October 2014 / Printed: December 2014 Abstract. Interspecific competition is a major structuring force in ant assemblages. The assemblages are organized hierarchically, with territorial species as top competitors. In boreal areas and in the temperate deciduous forest biome common territorials are species of the subgenus Formica s. str. They are well known for their negative impact on lower-ranked ant species. Less is known, though the structuring role of Lasius fuliginosus, another territorial ant species. Some earlier studies have shown or suggested that it may restrictively affect subordinate species (including direct predation toward them) even stronger than wood ants do. In the present study we compared species compositions and nest densities of subordinate ant species within and outside territories of L. fuliginosus. The results obtained confirmed that this species visibly impoverishes both qualitatively (reduced species richness, altered dominance structures) and quantitatively (decreased nest densities) ant assemblages within its territories.
    [Show full text]
  • Anet Newsletter 8
    30 APRIL 2006 No. 8 ANeT Newsletter International Network for the Study of Asian Ants / DIWPA Network for Social Insect Collections / DIVERSITAS in West Pacific and Asia Proceedings of Committee Meeting of 5th ANeT Workshop Minutes prepared by: Prof. Datin Dr. Maryati Mohamed Institute for Tropical Biology & Conservation Universiti Malaysia Sabah, MALAYSIA Place and Date of the Committee Meeting Committee meeting of 5th ANeT Workshop was held on 30th November 2005 at the National Museum, Kuala Lumpur. The meeting started at 12.30 with a discussion on the draft of Action Plan tabled by Dr. John Fellowes and meeting then chaired by Prof. Maryati Mohamed at 1.00 pm. Meeting adjourned at 3.00 p.m. Members Attending Prof. Maryati Mohamed, the President of ANeT (Malaysia) Prof. Seiki Yamane (Japan) Prof. Kazuo Ogata (Japan) Dr. Rudy Kohout (Australia) Dr. John R. Fellowes (Hong Kong/UK) Mr. Suputa (Indonesia) Dr. Yoshiaki Hashimoto (Japan) Dr. Decha Wiwatwitaya (Thailand) Dr. Bui Tuan Viet (Vietnam) Dr. Himender Bharti (India) Dr. Sriyani Dias (Sri Lanka) Mr. Bakhtiar Effendi Yahya, the Secretariat of ANeT (Japan) Ms. Petherine Jimbau, the Secretariat of ANeT (Malaysia) Agenda Agreed 1. Discussion on Proposal on Action Plan as tabled by Dr. John Fellowes 2. Proceedings/Journal 3. Next meeting - 6th ANeT Seminar and Meeting (date and venue) 4. New members and structure of committee membership 5. Any other business ANeT Newsletter No. 8. 30 April 2006 Agenda Item 1: Discussion on Proposal on Action Plan as tabled by Dr. John Fellowes Draft of Proposal was distributed. During the discussion no amendments were proposed to the draft Action Plan objectives.
    [Show full text]
  • Mimetická Podobnosť U Pohyblivých Mimikov Bakalárska Práca Terézia Niková
    Mimetická podobnosť u pohyblivých mimikov Bakalárska práca Terézia Niková Vedúci práce: prof.Mgr. Stanislav Pekár, Ph.D. Konzultant: Maria Guadalupe Corcobado Márquez, Ph.D. Brno 2015 Mimetická podobnost u pohyblivých mimiků Bakalářská práce Terézia Niková Vedoucí práce: prof.Mgr. Stanislav Pekár, Ph.D. Konzultant: Maria Guadalupe Corcobado Márquez, Ph.D. Brno 2015 BIBLIOGRAFICKÝ ZÁZNAM Autor Terézia Niková Přírodovědecká fakulta, Masarykova univerzita Ústav botaniky a zoologie Název práce Mimetická podobnost u pohyblivých mimiků Studijný program Evoluční a ekologická biologie Studijný obor Evoluční a ekologická biologie Vedoucí práce prof. Mgr. Stanislav Pekár, Ph.D. Konzultant Maria Guadalupe Corcobado Márquez, Ph.D. Akademický rok 2014/2015 Počet stran 53 Batesovské mimikry, mimikry, myrmekomorfní pavouci, nedokonalí Klíčové slova mimici, pohyb BIBLIOGRAFICKÝ ZÁZNAM Autor Terézia Niková Prírodovedecká fakulta, Masarykova univerzita Ústav botaniky a zoológie Názov práce Mimetická podobnosť u pohyblivých mimikov Študijný program Evolučná a ekologická biológia Študijný obor Evolučná a ekologická biológia Vedúci práce prof. Mgr. Stanislav Pekár, Ph.D. Konzultant Maria Guadalupe Corcobado Márquez, Ph.D. Akademický rok 2014/2015 Počet strán 53 Batesovské mimikry, mimikry, myrmekomorfné pavúky, nedokonalí Kľúčové slová mimici, pohyb BIBLIOGRAPHIC ENTRY Author Terézia Niková Faculty of Science, Masaryk University Department of Botany and Zoology Title of thesis Mimetic accuracy of moving mimics Degree programme Ecological and Evolutionary
    [Show full text]
  • A Comprehensive List of the Ants of Romania (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) 1
    Myrmecologische Nachrichten 9 65 - 76 Wien, Dezember 2006 A comprehensive list of the ants of Romania (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) 1 Bálint MARKÓ, Botond SIPOS, Sándor CSŐSZ, Klára KISS, István BOROS & László GALLÉ Abstract In the last decades the ant checklists of most Central and Eastern European countries were updated, with the exception of Romania. The last Romanian checklist was published in 1978 and contained only 76 species. The present work lists all species mentioned in publications until 2006. Up to now, altogether 103 valid species were recorded in the Romanian fauna (102 outdoor species), besides these there are eleven species of uncertain occurrence in Romania and two names which cannot be assigned to existing valid species. The comparison of Romanian and other Central and Eastern Euro- pean myrmecofaunas reveals that the Romanian fauna is insufficiently known and that a considerable number of spe- cies (mostly parasitic and Mediterranean) remains to be detected. Key words: Ants, Romania, check-list, faunistics, new records, comparison, Central and Eastern Europe. Dr. Bálint Markó (contact author), Botond Sipos & István Boros, Department of Taxonomy and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, str. Clinicilor nr. 5-7, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania. E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] Dr. Sándor Csősz, Department of Zoology, Hungarian Natural History Museum, Baross u. 13, 1088 Budapest, Hun- gary. E-mail: [email protected] Klára Kiss & Prof. Dr. László Gallé, Department of Ecology, University of Szeged, 6701 Szeged, P.O.Box 51, Hungary. E-mail: [email protected] Klára Kiss, Department of Horticulture, Sapientia University, Sighişoarei 1C, jud.
    [Show full text]
  • Tutela ZBORNÍK SLOVENSKÉHO MÚZEA OCHRANY PRÍRODY a JASKY N I a RST VA V LIPTOVSKOM MIKULÁŠI 11
    tutela ZBORNÍK SLOVENSKÉHO MÚZEA OCHRANY PRÍRODY A JASKY N I A RST VA V LIPTOVSKOM MIKULÁŠI 11 NATURAE 2007 1 O B S A H V E D E C K É Š T Ú D I E Jozef Šteffek – Patrícia Danková: Ekologické a ekosozologické vyhodnotenia tanatocenóz malakofauny z náplavov tokov Spišskej Magury ..................................................................... 5 Oto Majzlan: Chrobáky (Coleoptera) Šenkvického a Martinského lesa pri Senci .......... 27 Oto Majzlan: Letová aktivita nosáčikov (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) v NPR Bábsky Predseda redakčnej rady: les pri Nitre .................................................................................................................................... 43 doc. RNDr. Dana Šubová, CSc. Vladimír Straka – Oto Majzlan: Dvojkrídlovce (Diptera) troch lokalít v Chránenej krajinnej oblasti Strážovské vrchy .............................................................................................. 47 Michal Wiezik: Mravce (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) horských a vysokohorských biotopov južnej časti Kráľovohoľských Tatier ............................................................................................ 85 Redakčná rada: Jozef Školek: Sutinové spoločenstvá v NPR Mních ................................................................. 91 prof. RNDr. Peter Bitušík, CSc., RNDr. Miroslav Fulín, CSc., RNDr. Ľudovít Gaál, Stanislav Korenko: Pavúky (Arachnida, Araneae) východnej časti Kozích chrbtov .......... 103 prof. RNDr. Oto Majzlan, PhD., doc. RNDr. Ľubomír Panigaj, CSc., RNDr. Jozef Monika Hatinová – Kristina
    [Show full text]
  • Genetic Population Structure in the Rare Narrow-Headed Ant Formica Exsecta
    Research Summary: Genetic population structure in the rare narrow-headed ant Formica exsecta 1 2 2 3 4 Jenni A. Stockan , Joan Cottrell , Stuart A’Hara , T vtti Vanhala and Stephen Carroll Background: Findings: This note summarises research undertaken using o The Devon population contained genetic markers microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA markers to that were absent from any of the Scottish investigate the genetic and social structure of UK populations. Taken as a whole, the Scottish populations of the rare narrow-headed ant, Formica population also contained genetic markers absent exsecta. This is a species of conservation concern both from the Devon population. Overall, the British nationally and globally. In Britain, this species has population of F. exsecta has less genetic diversity suffered a significant reduction in its abundance over than those reported in the literature from the last 100 years with several local extinctions. mainland Europe. Remaining populations are highly fragmented, some o Genetic differentiation occurs when there is containing less than 10 nests. restricted gene flow between populations. The Devon population is highly differentiated from the Genetic diversity enables populations to evolve when Scottish populations. The UK sites were more faced with changing environmental conditions and differentiated than those across a much larger without it, populations face an increased risk of geographic scale in mainland Europe. extinction. Genetic diversity therefore underpins o There was a lack of differentiation between population adaptation and resilience. Scottish populations. Genetic connectivity is Aim and objectives: maintained by contemporary migration from An understanding of the population genetics and social Abernethy and Glenmore, Abernethy to Mar structure of F.
    [Show full text]
  • A Taxonomic Revision of the Palaearctic Members of the Formica Rufa Group (Hymeno­Ptera: Formicidae) – the Famous Mound-Building Red Wood Ants Bernhard Seifert
    ISSN 1997-3500 Myrmecological News myrmecologicalnews.org Myrmecol. News 31: 133-179 doi: 10.25849/myrmecol.news_031:133 28 April 2021 Original Article ZooBank LSID: 0E55C0D7-531A-48D7-A078-148B96BD461D A taxonomic revision of the Palaearctic members of the Formica rufa group (Hymeno ptera: Formicidae) – the famous mound-building red wood ants Bernhard Seifert Abstract A revision of the Palaearctic members of the Formica rufa group, the famous mound-building red wood ants, is pre- sented based on Numeric Morphology-Based Alpha-Taxonomy (NUMOBAT) and on genetic information from studies published in cooperation with others. Standardized morphological character systems were described numerically to allow objective hypothesis formation by exploratory data analyses and testing by hypothesis-driven data analyses. NU- MOBAT data were recorded in a total of 1200 samples with 5500 worker individuals and 410 gynes. Comparative tables to workers and gynes of all species and the most frequent hybrids and a key to the workers are presented. Considering 54 available names, the survey recognized 13 good species, 32 junior synonyms and eight names not interpretable to species level (incertae sedis). The ratio of junior synonyms against the number of recognized species is elevenfold the ratio found in a revision of Palaearctic Lasius s.str. conducted by the same author in 2020 with basically the same methodology. Excessive name production in the F. rufa group is partly result of the big attention these eye-catching ants have received by naturalists but it also reflects the enormous difficulties to reasonably interpret a multitude of phenotypes. These difficulties are caused by extraordinary frequency of reticulate evolution, particular mechanisms for the evolution of deviating local populations, and intraspecific polymorphism with differences sometimes being larger than those between species.
    [Show full text]
  • The Functions and Evolution of Social Fluid Exchange in Ant Colonies (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Marie-Pierre Meurville & Adria C
    ISSN 1997-3500 Myrmecological News myrmecologicalnews.org Myrmecol. News 31: 1-30 doi: 10.25849/myrmecol.news_031:001 13 January 2021 Review Article Trophallaxis: the functions and evolution of social fluid exchange in ant colonies (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Marie-Pierre Meurville & Adria C. LeBoeuf Abstract Trophallaxis is a complex social fluid exchange emblematic of social insects and of ants in particular. Trophallaxis behaviors are present in approximately half of all ant genera, distributed over 11 subfamilies. Across biological life, intra- and inter-species exchanged fluids tend to occur in only the most fitness-relevant behavioral contexts, typically transmitting endogenously produced molecules adapted to exert influence on the receiver’s physiology or behavior. Despite this, many aspects of trophallaxis remain poorly understood, such as the prevalence of the different forms of trophallaxis, the components transmitted, their roles in colony physiology and how these behaviors have evolved. With this review, we define the forms of trophallaxis observed in ants and bring together current knowledge on the mechanics of trophallaxis, the contents of the fluids transmitted, the contexts in which trophallaxis occurs and the roles these behaviors play in colony life. We identify six contexts where trophallaxis occurs: nourishment, short- and long-term decision making, immune defense, social maintenance, aggression, and inoculation and maintenance of the gut microbiota. Though many ideas have been put forth on the evolution of trophallaxis, our analyses support the idea that stomodeal trophallaxis has become a fixed aspect of colony life primarily in species that drink liquid food and, further, that the adoption of this behavior was key for some lineages in establishing ecological dominance.
    [Show full text]