High species turnover of the ant genus Solenopsis (Hymenoptera : Formicidae) along an altitudinal gradient in the Ecuadorian Andes, indicated by a combined DNA sequencing and morphological approach

Abstract

Solenopsis is a widespread ant genus and the identification of its species is notoriously difficult. Hence, investigation of their distribution along elevational gradients is challenging. Our aims were (1) to test the complementarity of the morphological and DNA barcoding approaches for Solenopsis species identification, and (2) to assess species diversity and distribution along an altitudinal gradient in the Ecuadorian Andes. Ants were collected in five localities between 1000 and 3000 m above sea level. In total, 24 morphospecies were identified along the gradient and 14 of them were barcoded. Seven morphospecies were confirmed by the molecular approach. Three others, occurring sympatrically and possessing clear diagnostic characters, showed low genetic divergence. Representatives of a further four morphospecies were split into nine clusters by COI and nuclear wingless genetic markers, suggesting the existence of cryptic species. Examination of gynes revealed potential diagnostic characters for morphological discrimination. Solenopsis species were found up to an altitudinal record of 3000 m. Most morphospecies (20 of 24) were found at a single elevation. Our results suggest a high species turnover along the gradient, and point to the use of morphological and DNA barcoding approaches as necessary for differentiating among Solenopsis species.

Sorting specimen‐rich invertebrate samples with cost‐effective NGS barcodes: Validating a reverse workflow for specimen processing

“…Despite their abundance in insect surveys, there are no sizable studies on ant diversity that use a strict DNA barcoding approach involving the generation of barcodes for all specimens. Instead, most studies adopt hybrid approaches that start with presorting based on morphology (e.g., Smith, Fisher, & Hebert, : 268 barcodes from 280 specimens; Delsinne et al., : 187 barcodes for 10,260 ants representing ca. 70 morphospecies).…”

DNA barcoding gap: reliable species identification over morphological and geographical scales

“…), the most reliable species identification would be through combination of morphology and DNA barcodes (Delsinne et al . ), or even with the addition of other types of data such as geography, behaviour, ecology, etc. (Yassin et al .…”

Second Record and DNA Barcode of the Ant Tyrannomyrmex rex Fernández (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae)

“…PCR amplification and bidirectional DNA sequencing were executed according to the protocol described by Delsinne et al (2012) and using the primer pairs LCO1490 / HCO2198 (Folmer et al, 1994) for COI, and Wg578F (Ward & Downie, 2005 (Ratnasingham & Hebert, 2007) for best matches with the two sequences obtained here. Finally, the same two sequences were compared to all COI and Wg sequences available for the tribe Solenopsidini in GenBank.…”