3 replies to this topic

[Leo]

So I thought you guys might be interested in this. Below is an unidentified queen from the genus Crematogaster that I found wandering in a trail of workers which were the same size as the queen (there were multiple of these queens). This was strange because I could recall no Crematogaster in the area with similar looking queens (fun fact I had actually encountered these queens once in the same situation at the start of my anting career, around 4 years ago). 

 

Location found: Hong Kong, 400m above sea level

Habitat: subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest, young secondary forest

Size: 5mm

 

Pictures:

 

I also want to highlight some weird/notable features of the ant above

 

1. A fairly truncated head

 

2. Angular gaster. The connection point between the abdomen and the post-petiole are quite angular, almost at a 90 degree angle.

 

 

In comparison, here's the same area on another crematogaster queen (Crematogaster aegyptiaca picture I grabbed from antweb)

 

 

3. sickle-like toothless mandibles 

 

 

 

All in all, a pretty weird ant. I think its probably some socially parasitic species (still strange that it was just running out in the open with some workers). I've already given the specimens and the "host" workers to the local university, and the guy there said its pretty interesting so I guess we'll wait and see.

 

What do ya'll think?

Edited by Leo, August 17 2023 - 3:18 AM.

[PurdueEntomology]

Well, I am currently finishing a paper for publication for a novel species of Tapinoma. Just using morphometrics (morphological based measurements with statistical analysis such as bivariate) will not suffice to ascertain a new species designation.  Mitochondrial DNA along with morphometrics will not suffice either.  Nuclear DNA based phylogenetics with 100% posterior probabilities (PP) at nodal locations would be necessary as long a series (5+) separate gene locations are used.  Alternatively as we did using SNP, single nucleotide polymorphisms https://en.wikipedia...de_polymorphism, of more than 45,000 nucleotide variations  a definitive determination for an ant  population proposed as a novel species can be done.   We achieved 100% PP for all nodal points in our phylogeny. We also used the software STRUCTURE (similar to what is used in Ancestry.com )  https://web.stanford.../structure.htmlto allow us to determine unique ancestry with the ants we examined and it again confirmed unique (species specific) populations. The STRUCTURE process required us to do a whole genome sequencing, which can be time consuming and $, but costs are definitely coming down.  Upshot, now days one MUST use nuclear based genomics with at least 5 or more genes to convince taxonomists that a novel species population is occurring.  I would also say just using nuclear based genomic analysis is the 'hot thing' these days, but in all honesty one needs to look at ecology, behavior and other factors to pool various evidences to declare a novel species status.  

 

​Here is a link of a Solenopsis study where 1 mitochondrial and 4 nuclear genes along with statistical analysis of detailed morphological measurements were used. https://www.nature.c...ta-availability 

 

This is a bit dated (2009) article by well known ant expert who has published major papers using genomics to help better understand ant phylogenetics  Dr. Clorrie S. Moreau https://bpb-us-e1.wp...eau_2009_MN.pdf

Edited by PurdueEntomology, August 17 2023 - 4:55 AM.

[Leo]

Well, I am currently finishing a paper for publication for a novel species of Tapinoma. Just using morphometrics (morphological based measurements with statistical analysis such as bivariate) will not suffice to ascertain a new species designation.  Mitochondrial DNA along with morphometrics will not suffice either.  Nuclear DNA based phylogenetics with 100% posterior probabilities (PP) at nodal locations would be necessary as long a series (5+) separate gene locations are used.  Alternatively as we did using SNP, single nucleotide polymorphisms https://en.wikipedia...de_polymorphism, of more than 45,000 nucleotide variations  a definitive determination for an ant  population proposed as a novel species can be done.   We achieved 100% PP for all nodal points in our phylogeny. We also used the software STRUCTURE (similar to what is used in Ancestry.com )  https://web.stanford.../structure.htmlto allow us to determine unique ancestry with the ants we examined and it again confirmed unique (species specific) populations. The STRUCTURE process required us to do a whole genome sequencing, which can be time consuming and $, but costs are definitely coming down.  Upshot, now days one MUST use nuclear based genomics with at least 5 or more genes to convince taxonomists that a novel species population is occurring.  I would also say just using nuclear based genomic analysis is the 'hot thing' these days, but in all honesty one needs to look at ecology, behavior and other factors to pool various evidences to declare a novel species status.  

 

​Here is a link of a Solenopsis study where 1 mitochondrial and 4 nuclear genes along with statistical analysis of detailed morphological measurements were used. https://www.nature.c...ta-availability 

 

This is a bit dated (2009) article by well known ant expert who has published major papers using genomics to help better understand ant phylogenetics  Dr. Clorrie S. Moreau https://bpb-us-e1.wp...eau_2009_MN.pdf

Interesting! I didn't know that genome sequencing/genomic analysis was required to declare a new species. Unfortunately, I am just a guy without access to the resources needed for such procedures (Which is why I gave the specimens to the local university), so I can't actually say it is a new species, just possibly. Regardless I just thought it was an interesting find and wanted to share it with ya'll. If anything every does come out of it, i'll be sure to update this post

[PurdueEntomology]

 

Well, I am currently finishing a paper for publication for a novel species of Tapinoma. Just using morphometrics (morphological based measurements with statistical analysis such as bivariate) will not suffice to ascertain a new species designation.  Mitochondrial DNA along with morphometrics will not suffice either.  Nuclear DNA based phylogenetics with 100% posterior probabilities (PP) at nodal locations would be necessary as long a series (5+) separate gene locations are used.  Alternatively as we did using SNP, single nucleotide polymorphisms https://en.wikipedia...de_polymorphism, of more than 45,000 nucleotide variations  a definitive determination for an ant  population proposed as a novel species can be done.   We achieved 100% PP for all nodal points in our phylogeny. We also used the software STRUCTURE (similar to what is used in Ancestry.com )  https://web.stanford.../structure.htmlto allow us to determine unique ancestry with the ants we examined and it again confirmed unique (species specific) populations. The STRUCTURE process required us to do a whole genome sequencing, which can be time consuming and $, but costs are definitely coming down.  Upshot, now days one MUST use nuclear based genomics with at least 5 or more genes to convince taxonomists that a novel species population is occurring.  I would also say just using nuclear based genomic analysis is the 'hot thing' these days, but in all honesty one needs to look at ecology, behavior and other factors to pool various evidences to declare a novel species status.  

 

​Here is a link of a Solenopsis study where 1 mitochondrial and 4 nuclear genes along with statistical analysis of detailed morphological measurements were used. https://www.nature.c...ta-availability 

 

This is a bit dated (2009) article by well known ant expert who has published major papers using genomics to help better understand ant phylogenetics  Dr. Clorrie S. Moreau https://bpb-us-e1.wp...eau_2009_MN.pdf

Interesting! I didn't know that genome sequencing/genomic analysis was required to declare a new species. Unfortunately, I am just a guy without access to the resources needed for such procedures (Which is why I gave the specimens to the local university), so I can't actually say it is a new species, just possibly. Regardless I just thought it was an interestinsg find and wanted to share it with ya'll. If anything every does come out of it, i'll be sure to update this post

 

It may very well be a novel species.  I was only pointing out as I had to learn that especially within ant taxonomy and to my readings insect systematics and taxonomy that since the  1990's and now even more so genomics is expected and basically required to do novel species designations.  Once we reached around 2006-2013 I would say more and more emphasis was placed on nuclear and simply using mitochondrial was more and more discarded. Around 2014-2017 more weight was placed on ultra conserved elements (UCE) and multiple markers (multiple genes) and now UCE's and SNP's are so overwhelmingly used.  Dr. Bernard Seifert from Germany has written much on this historical transition in the genomics field and has adjusted his own approach to species designations.  One thing he has not abandoned though is well worked out morphometrics and his taxonomic keys reflect this.  I used his approach in creating a revised taxonomic key for US Tapinoma which will be part of our published species description and will most likely end up on AntWiki as a reference.  Upshot,  I encourage you to pursue the novel species thesis.  Definitely try to get biological and behavioral data:  find a few colonies, make observations etc.  I just recently found a third colony of the species I am describing on an Amazon distribution center property.  Amazon has given me permission to do field work and sampling on their property and seem motivated to ensure this new species is 'safe' on their property, which is refreshing that they took interest.  I hope you find this information encouraging and of some guidance.