Phylogenetic study of the Camponotini (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on mitochondrial COⅠ gene variation

Author of the article:LI Wen-Jie, CHEN Zhi-Lin, ZHOU Shan-Yi

Author's Workplace：Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guilin 541004, China

Key Words：Camponotini; mtCOⅠgene; phylogenetic

Abstract：[Objectives]  To apply molecular methods to the identification of the Chinese Camponotini, the largest family in the Formicinae, and thereby contribute to a more complete understanding of the phylogenetic relationships among the Formicidae. [Methods]  A combination of traditional morphological classification methods and molecular methods were used. PCR amplification and sequencing of the mitochondrial COⅠgene sequences of 24 species of 234 Camponotini species was carried out after which the phylogenetic relationships of some species were reconstructed using Bayesian (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. [Results] (1) A total of 13 species clustered on a single branch, which is basically consistent with the results of morphological identification. (2) A more reliable phylogenetic relationship among the 11 species in the genus Camponotus is (C. japonicus+C. spanis+C. fuscivillosus + unknown species Camponotus sp.1 + (C. mitis+ (C. quadrinotatus + C. nicobarensis) +C. dolendus+ (C. wasmanni+C. mutilarius) +C. angusticollis subsp. Sanguinolentus)))))))). However, comparison of two phylogenetic tree topologies indicates that the phylogenetic relationships among C. japonicus, C. spanis, C. mitis and Camponotus sp.2 need further clarification. (3) A more reliable phylogenetic relationship of the 11 species in the genus Polyrhachis is ((P. rastellata + P. brevicorpa)+P. dive + (P. lucidula+ (P. jianghuaensis+P. tibialis) +P. lamellidens+ (P. subpilosa + P. halidayi) + (P. illaudata +P. proxima)))))). However, differences in the phylogenetic tree topologies obtained using the two methods indicate that the phylogenetic relationship between P. dives and P. lucidula require further clarification. [Conclusion]  Molecular methods are an effective auxiliary tool for identifying species of Camponotini, which are difficult to identify accurately with traditional morphological methods.