Paleotropical Diversification Dominates the Evolution of the Hyperdiverse Ant Tribe Crematogastrini (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Issue 5 (27th September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Blaimer, Bonnie B; Ward, Philip S; Schultz, Ted R; Fisher, Brian L; Brady, Seán G
• Is Part Of: Insect systematics and diversity. Volume 2:Issue 5(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-09-27
• Subjects: phylogenomics -- Myrmicinae -- radiation -- biogeography -- ultraconserved element; Entomology -- Periodicals; Insects -- Periodicals; 595.705
• DOI: 10.1093/isd/ixy013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-3421

Abstract

Abstract: Levels of diversity vary strikingly among different phylogenetic lineages of ants. Rapid radiations in early ant evolution have often proven difficult to resolve with traditional Sanger-sequencing data sets of modest size. We provide a phylogenomic perspective on the evolution of the hyperdiverse ant tribe Crematogastrini by analyzing sequence data for nearly 1, 800 ultraconserved element (UCE) loci from 153 species comprising 56 genera. We reconstruct a next-to-complete genus-level phylogeny using concatenated maximum likelihood and species-tree approaches, estimate divergence dates and diversification rates for the tribe, and investigate the evolution of nest sites. Our results show 10 well-supported major clades which we define as the Cataulacus, Carebara, Vollenhovia, Podomyrma, Crematogaster, Mayriella, Lordomyrma, Myrmecina, Paratopula, and Formicoxenus genus-groups. These lineages are estimated to have arisen from a Paleotropical ancestor (crown-group age ~75 Ma) over a relatively short time interval (50–70 Ma). The Afrotropical and especially the Indomalayan regions appear to have played a key role in the early diversification history of the tribe. Several shifts in diversification rates were found to be related to the evolution of large, widespread genera; however, we were unable to confidently associate these shifts with evolutionary innovations or events. Arboreal habitats have been successfully colonized by only few clades within Crematogastrini from ground-nesting ancestors, with no reversals supported. Our genus-level phylogeny for Crematogastrini provides insights into the diversification and evolution of one of the most diverse clades of ants, and our division of the tribe into well-supported genus-group lineages sets the stage for more detailed species-level investigations.