Cytogenetic analysis of the fungus-farming ant Cyphomyrmex rimosus (Spinola, 1851) (Formicidae: Myrmicinae: Attini) highlights karyotypic variation

In this study, we characterized the karyotype of C. rimosus from Vi çosa, Minas Gerais state, southeastern Brazil using classical and molecular cytogenetic techniques to enrich the chromosomal information about Cyphomyrmex. The karyotype of C. rimosus from the rainforest of southeastern Brazil (2n = 22, 18m + 4sm) notably contrasts with that previously described fo r this species in Panama (2n = 32). This intraspecific chromosomal variation suggests the existence of a species complex within this taxon according to the previous hypothesis derived from morphological analysis. We detected GC-rich heterochromatic regions in C. rimosus and using repetitive DNA prob es showed that this heterochromatin shares repetitive sequences with other Neoattina species already studied, enhancing the importance of this specific genome region in the understanding of Attina evolution. Mapping of microsatellite (GA)15 on C. rimosus was restricted to the euchromatic regions of all chromosomes. The single intrachromosomal rDNA sites observed in C. rimosus follow the general genomic organization trend of ribosomal genes in Formicidae. Our study extends the data of chromosome mapping on Cyphomyrmex and reinforces the importance of cytogenetic studies in different localities to better understand taxonomic issues in widely distributed taxa such as C. rimosus.
Source: Cytogenetic and Genome Research - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research