Cuticular hydrocarbons as potential mediators of cryptic species divergence in a mutualistic ant association.

ABSTRACT: Upon advances in sequencing techniques, more and more morphologically identical organisms are identified as cryptic species. Often, mutualistic interactions are proposed as drivers of diversification. Species of the neotropical parabiotic ant association between Crematogaster levior and Camponotus femoratus are known for highly diverse cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles, which in insects serve as desiccation barrier but also as communication cues. In the present study, we investigated the association of the ants' CHC profiles with genotypes and morphological traits, and discovered cryptic species pairs in both genera. To assess putative niche differentiation between the cryptic species, we conducted an environmental association study that included various climate variables,

SUBMITTER: Hartke J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6706187 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature