Molecular characterization of fire ants, Solenopsis spp., from Brazil based on analysis of mtDNA gene cytochrome oxidase I.
Species from the Solenopsis saevissima (Smith) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) species group are native to South America and have a cosmopolitan distribution because they have been accidentally introduced in many countries around the world. In Brazil, they have a wide distribution, including urban areas. The present study was conducted to investigate the characterization of Solenopsis genus populations associated with urban/human interference sites in Brazil by analyzing the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase I and estimating the degree of relatedness of these populations to make inferences about their phylogeny and also observe the patterns of mitochondrial haplotype (mitotype) distribution across their range. The results revealed complete geographical coherence and polyphyly for the Solenopsis invicta Buren and Solenopsis saevissima species groups, which confirms the diversity of the genera. It also suggests the possibility that reproductively-isolated populations occur, resulting in the evolutionary process of speciation. No predominant haplotype was found in the populations analyzed, but some were more prevalent.
Universidade Federal do Piauí, Campus de Parnaíba, Avenida São Sebastião, 2819, 64202-020, Parnaíba, Piauí, Brazil martins.c@ufpi.edu.br.
Cintia
C
Martins
UNESP Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquista Filho/ CEIS Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais. Avenida 24A, 1515. CEP 13506-900 Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil souza_bio@yahoo.com.br.
Rodrigo Fernando
RF
de Souza
UNESP Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquista Filho/ CEIS Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais. Avenida 24A, 1515. CEP 13506-900 Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil odaircb@rc.unesp.br.
Odair Correa
OC
Bueno
D000818:Animals; D001000:Ants / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D001938:Brazil; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D019476:Insect Proteins; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV
Solenopsis invicta; Solenopsis saevissima; mitochondrial DNA; phylogeny