Molecular phylogenetic analysis and morphological reassessments of thief ants identify a new potential case of biological invasions

Abstract

Species delimitation offered by DNA-based approaches can provide important insights into the natural history and diversity of species, but the cogency of such processes is limited without multigene phylogenies. Recent attempts to barcode various Solenopsidini ant taxa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae), including the thief ant Solenopsis saudiensis Sharaf & Aldawood, 2011 described from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), were precipitated by the unexpected existence of a closely related species, the Nearctic S . abdita Thompson, 1989 within the S. molesta species complex native to Florida. This finding left the species status of the former uncertain. Here, we investigated the taxonomy and phylogeny of these two species to determine whether or not S . abdita represents a new global tramp species. We inferred a phylogeny of the two species using DNA sequence data from four nuclear genes ( Abd-A , EF1α-F1 , EF1α-F2 , and Wingless ) and one mitochondrial gene ( COI ) sampled from populations in Florida, Guatemala, Hawaii, and Saudi Arabia. Both species clustered into one distinct and robust clade. The taxonomy of S . saudiensis was re‐examined using morphometrics. A reassessment of the morphological characters used to diagnose the worker and queen castes were consistent with molecular evidence. Based on combined morphological and molecular evidences S . saudiensis is declared as a junior synonym of S . abdita (syn. nov.). In addition, our findings indicate that S . abdita is a novel global tramp species which has a far wider distribution than previously thought and has established itself in many new habitats and different geographic realms.

Species Discrimination of Three Odontomachus (Formicidae: Ponerinae) Species in Thailand Using Outline Morphometrics

“…When the anatomical features of an organism present with few or no landmarks or would need entomological dissection [ 18 ], such as in the worker ants in this study or in non-winged insects, juvenile stages, or eggs, the OM approach can be used [ 13 ].…”

“…Only a few alternative or complementary techniques are available for entomologists to use for species recognition. Molecular techniques are currently the most accurate methods for such purposes [ 13 ]. These methods were recently used in the ant genera Anochetus and Odontomachus [ 12 ]; however, the relatively high cost of specialized laboratory equipment and the need for unexpired chemical reagents and well-trained staff could make their routine application challenging.…”

Monomorium (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Arabian Peninsula with description of two new species, M. heggyi sp. n. and M. khalidi sp. n.

“…However, because this species is very small, slow moving, cryptically colored, and primarily arboreal, its abundance and ecological importance may be underappreciated ( Wetterer, 2010a ). Human activities, population movements, and global trade around the world greatly contribute to the further spread of tramp species outside their native habitats ( Sharaf et al, 2020c , 2020d ).…”

“…Human activities, population movements, and global trade around the world greatly contribute to the further spread of tramp species outside their native habitats (Sharaf et al, 2020c(Sharaf et al, , 2020d.…”

Morphological Characterization of Ant Species Found Within the Tropical Rainforest Zone of Calabar, Nigeria

“…Measurements and indices were performed as previously modified by Sharaf et al (2020). All measurements were in millimeters.…”