The use of molecular markers in the investigation of polydomy in a Cerrado ant, Camponotus leydigi (Formicidae: Formicinae)

• Grant number: 19/12683-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2019
• End date: October 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Sergio Moreira Carvalho de Oliveira
• Grantee: Salatiel Gonçalves Neto
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Camponotus leydigi (Forel) is a widely distributed ant in the Neotropics, being frequently found in the Cerrado savanna, where it interacts with plants and other insects. Previous field studies suggested that the colonies of these ants are polydomous, with multiple nests physically separated, but socially connected. This trait is directly related to the ecological success of the colonies in the Cerrado. To delimit a polydomous colony, it is necessary to use different approaches, including behavioral and spatial analyzes (trafficking of individuals between nests), as well as genetic evidence to evaluate the relatedness between workers from different nests. Behavioral and spatial field data strongly suggested the occurrence of polydomy in C. leydigi. Thus, this project aims to develop microsatellite markers for C. leydigi in order to obtain molecular data, which would complement the ecological ones and confirm the occurrence of polydomy in C. leydigi colonies. To develop the molecular markers, we used the strategy of microsatellite enriched-library, which is based on a hybridization-based capture with biotin-linked probes and streptavidin magnetic-coated beads. We will also test if microsatellites previously developed for C. renggeri and C. rufipes satisfactorily amplify and are polymorphic for C. leydigi. The genotypic data will be analyzed using population genetic approaches, including Bayesian and Frequentist analyses. Finally, this work will also provide molecular tools to future studies on population genetics of ants genus Camponotus in the Cerrado. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GONCALVES-NETO, SALATIEL; AZEVEDO-SILVA, MARIANNE; LEMOS, ALESSANDRA S. M.; SOUZA, ANETE P.; OLIVEIRA, PAULO S.. Microsatellites for the Neotropical ant, Camponotus leydigi (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). ENTOMOLOGICAL SCIENCE, v. 24, n. 1, p. 79-84, MAR 2021. (17/18291-2, 19/12683-1, 17/16645-1, 14/23141-1)

AZEVEDO-SILVA, MARIANNE; LEMOS, ALESSANDRA S. M.; GONCALVES-NETO, SALATIEL; SALLES, LUIS F. P.; PEREYRA, MARIANA; CHRISTIANINI, ALEXANDER, V; SOUZA, ANETE P.; OLIVEIRA, PAULO S.. Are There Edge Effects on the Genetic Diversity of the Trap-Jaw Ant Odontomachus chelifer (Formicidae: Ponerinae) in a Neotropical Savanna Fragment? A First Assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY, v. N/A, p. 7-pg., 2023-02-06. (17/18291-2, 22/06529-2, 19/12683-1, 14/23141-1, 17/16645-1, 18/02769-3)

LEMOS, ALESSANDRA S. M.; AZEVEDO-SILVA, MARIANNE; GONCALVES-NETO, SALATIEL; SOUZA, ANETE P.; OLIVEIRA, PAULO S.. Microsatellites for the Neotropical Ant, Odontomachus chelifer (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE, v. 20, n. 5, OCT 24 2020. (17/16645-1, 17/18291-2, 19/12683-1, 14/23141-1)