Aphaenogaster gamagumayaa sp. nov.: the first troglobiotic ant from Japan (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae)

Naka, Takeru; Maruyama, Munetoshi

doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4450.1.10

Cited by 591 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 7 publications

(8 reference statements)

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“…While sequencing all the species from these two groups stands as an important objective for further research, phylogenetic results revealed a very interesting relationship between the two groups: the 'cecconii-like' and the 'splendida-like' morphologies each evolved independently two or three times, and at least twice 'cecconii-like' species were sisters to 'splendida-like' species. It is possible that the peculiar 'cecconii-like' morphology represents a form of adaptation to the light-avoiding or troglobiotic lifestyle that characterizes the species of this group, since similar traits are exhibited by other troglobiotic Palearctic species, such as the Japanese A. gamagumayaa Naka andMaruyama, 2018 (Borowiec andSalata 2014;Salata and Borowiec 2016;Naka and Maruyama 2018). Notably, the 'splendida-like' morphology is also, albeit to a lesser degree, associated with avoidance of sunlight by the slow-moving foraging workers, accomplished by either living in shady and humid environments or foraging at dusk or nocturnally (Salata et al 2021), and some species formerly assigned to the splendida group show somewhat intermediate characteristics between the two morphotypes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Revisiting the morphological species groups of West-Palearctic Aphaenogaster ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) under a phylogenetic perspective: toward an evolutionary classification

Schifani¹,

Alicata²,

Menchetti³

et al. 2022

ASP

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The West-Palearctic region is a diversity hotspot for the ant genus Aphaenogaster. Species in this region are characterized by high morphological variation, which has led to their subdivisioninto different infrageneric groups. The very first classification in three subgenera, dated 1915, was gradually replaced by eight species-groups. To probe the evolutionary consistency of these species-groups, we sequenced 46 species from all eight species-groups and biogeographic sectors of the region, using one mitochondrial (COI) and six nuclear markers (EPICs), and interpreted the results by integrating qualitative morphology. Our results demonstrate the non-monophyly of all formerly recognized subgenera and species-groups, except for the crocea group. We use the phylogeny and morphological characters to propose a new classification of six monophyletic species-groups (crocea, gibbosa, graeca, pallida, sardoa, subterranea). The pallida, subterranea and sardoa (formerly testaceopilosa) groups attain monophyletic status by reassigning a few taxa. The gibbosa group is to be considered exclusively Western-Mediterranean until further assessments of similar Eastern species. The new graeca group is established by including former members of the splendida and subterranea groups, while the polyphyletic cecconii, obsidiana, and splendida groups are dismissed. Notably, the first is not part of the tropical Deromyrma clade as previously thought, while at least two independent clades which require further investigation are composed of species from both the cecconii and splendida groups, suggesting repeated morphological convergences based on similar ecological adaptations. Finally, A. cardenai is confirmed to be a significantly divergent lineage. In addition, three Aphaenogaster species are moved to different genera: Messor asmaae (Sharaf, 2018) comb. nov., Messor isekram (Bernard, 1977) comb. nov., and Pheidole sarae (Sharaf, 2018) comb. nov. Further studies should address the evolutionary relationships between the clades recovered in this study.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Revisiting the morphological species groups of West-Palearctic Aphaenogaster ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) under a phylogenetic perspective: toward an evolutionary classification

Schifani¹,

Alicata²,

Menchetti³

et al. 2022

ASP

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“…n. are suggestive of non-troglomorphic characters. Generally, true cave-adapted characters or troglomorphy of ants are defined by 1) the elongation of appendages, 2) reduction of pigment, 3) reduction to loss of eyes, and 4) loss ability to fly (see discussion in Roncin & Deharveng, 2003;Naka & Maruyama, 2018). Carebara panhai sp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A new species of the genus Carebara Westwood, 1840 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmecinae) inhabits a cave in Thailand

Jaitrong¹,

Pitaktunsakul²,

Jantarit³

2021

Far East. entomol.

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A new species Carebara panhai Jaitrong, Pitaktunsakul et Jantarit, sp. n., closely related to C. pygmaea (Emery, 1887), is described from Kanchanaburi Province in Thailand based on the worker caste. The new species is easily distinguished from the closely related species (C. rubra (F. Smith, 1860), C. transversalis (F. Smith, 1860) and C. pygmaea) by the presence of erect hairs on the dorsum of body. New species was found nesting in the twilight zone of a cave. The major and minor workers of C. pygmaea are described and illustrated also.

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“…Studies related to the myrmecofauna from Brazilian caves (Ferreira, 2000;Dáttilo et al, 2010;Dáttilo et al, 2012) and in the world (Wilson, 1962;Tinaut & Lopez, 2001;Roncin & Deharveng, 2003;Moulds, 2006;Batucan & Nuñeza, 2013;Figueras & Nuňeza, 2013;Wynne & Voyles, 2013;Dejean et al, 2015;Pape, 2016;Naka & Maruyama, 2018) are limited regarding ant ecological function in the subterranean environment (Table 4). Ants usually are not target species for ecological studies in caves, as are other invertebrate groups -e.g., amphipods, cave salamander, copepods, beetles, isopods and spiders, as highlighted in a recent study surveyed by Mammola (2019).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The first is a Ponerine ant, Leptogenys khammouanensis Rocin & Deharveng, 2003from Laos (Rocin & Deharveng, 2003. The second species was recently discovered and described, is a Myrmicinae ant, Aphaenogaster gamagumayaa Naka & Maruyama, 2018 found in Japan (Naka & Maruyama, 2018).…”

Section: Cavity Ant Richness Composition and Distribution Patternsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among the invertebrate groups occurring in caves, ants have been frequently documented in both Brazil (Ferreira, 2000;Dáttilo et al, 2010;Dáttilo et al, 2012, Ferreira, 2019 and in the world (Wilson, 1962;Tinaut & Lopez, 2001;Roncin & Deharveng, 2003;Moulds, 2006;Batucan & Nuñeza, 2013;Figueras & Nuňeza, 2013;Wynne & Voyles, 2013;Dejean et al, 2015;Pape, 2016;Naka & Maruyama, 2018). Some ant species have characteristics that favor life in subterranean environments, especially hypogaeic foraging species, which have a great affinity for underground environments and can easily penetrate into deep zones of some caves (Pape, 2016), where there is a stable moisture-saturated atmosphere (Howarth, 1980;Howarth, 1983).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Drivers of ant composition, richness, and trophic guilds in Neotropical iron ore cavities

CASTRO-SOUZA¹,

Pellegrini²,

Souza‐Silva³

et al. 2019

IJS

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Subterranean habitats may be considered limiting for animal colonization, especially for ants, due to permanent darkness and mainly because of oligotrophic conditions. While not as deep as limestone caves, iron ore caves and other subterranean habitats may be more available for colonization because of their shallower depth. We use the richness and composition of ants to assess how differences in habitat structure affect the biodiversity and ecosystem function between cavities and surrounding epigean landscapes. We predicted that the distribution of ants would be different because of the variation in habitat structure and cavity conditions may act as a filter for colonization by ants. A high diversity of ants was found in the 20 sampled cavities (26 species), and most of them were grouped in the generalist trophic guilds. The distribution of ants occurred independently of the type of cavity to which they are associated (caves, impacted caves and mines). Significant differences were observed in ant richness between epigean and cavities habitats, with lower average richness in cavities. The physical attributes of the cavities did not influence richness, mainly because cavity use by ants can usually be explained by their opportunistic habits and generalist lifestyle. Ants can participate directly in the cavities assemblage, playing roles in species composition and trophic functionality, due to the lower use restriction.

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Aphaenogaster gamagumayaa sp. nov.: the first troglobiotic ant from Japan (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae)

Cited by 591 publications

References 7 publications

Revisiting the morphological species groups of West-Palearctic Aphaenogaster ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) under a phylogenetic perspective: toward an evolutionary classification

Revisiting the morphological species groups of West-Palearctic Aphaenogaster ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) under a phylogenetic perspective: toward an evolutionary classification

A new species of the genus Carebara Westwood, 1840 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmecinae) inhabits a cave in Thailand

Drivers of ant composition, richness, and trophic guilds in Neotropical iron ore cavities

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