Project description:Nylanderia flavipes (Smith, 1874) is a Formicine ant found in East Asia. We have completed mitochondrial genome of N. flavipes of which length is 16,687 bp including 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNAs, and a control region. The base composition was AT-biased (GC ratio is 18.9%). Gene order of N. flavipes presents a unique inversion of trnP in comparison to Camponotus species. Our phylogenetic trees together with phylogenomic analysis suggest that the gene order rearrangements occurred independently in Camponotus and N. flavipes.
Project description:Obligately socially parasitic ants are social parasites that typically lack the sterile worker caste, and depend on the host species for survival and brood care. The genus Nylanderia has over 130 described species and subspecies, none of which, until this study, were known social parasites. Here we describe the first social parasite known in the genus, Nylanderia deceptrix. Aspects of the biology of the host species, Nylanderia parvula (Mayr 1870), and Nylanderia deceptrix are examined. The data from both the host and the parasite species are combined to better understand the host-parasite relationship.
Project description:The Indianspeciesof the ant genus Cerapachys Smith are keyed. Twelve species are recognized of which 6 are described as new. The species are: Cerapachys aitkenii Forel, Cerapachys alii sp. n., Cerapachys anokha sp. n., Cerapachys besucheti Brown, Cerapachys biroi Forel, Cerapachys indicus Brown, Cerapachys longitarsus (Mayr), Cerapachys nayana sp. n., Cerapachys schoedli sp. n., Cerapachys seema sp. n., Cerapachys sulcinodis Emery and Cerapachys wighti sp. n. Geographic distribution and group affinities of the new species are discussed. A revised key to the Indian species is provided. The rare ergatoid queens of Cerapachys nayana, Cerapachys schoedli and Cerapachys seema are reported. Formed in response to selective pressures these ergatoid queens have a significant role in dispersal strategies and contribute much to our understanding of the biology of these ants.
Project description:Aphaenogaster famelica (Smith, 1874) is a slender ant found in Korea. We have completed the mitochondrial genome of A. famelica of which length is 19,464 bp, the third longest ant mitogenome so far. It was AT-biased (GC ratio is 18.0%) and includes 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and a control region. The extra bases of A. famelica are placed in intergenic regions each between trnV-trnM and trnI-trnQ. Gene order of A. famelica is identical to other Myrmicinae ants. Phylogenetic trees show that tribe Stenammini and tribe Myrmicini are closely related.