A new species of Monomorium Mayr, 1855 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) with a brachypterous queen from southern Japan, and phylogeny of Japanese Monomorium species with diverse reproductive strategies

By

Idogawa, Naoto
Dobata, Shigeto
Okada, Yasukazu
Yamane, Seiki, 1948-

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2025-8-26

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

1250

Pages

49--78

Subjects

COI gene , colony foundation , dispersal strategy , identification key , mitochondrial genome , mitochondrial genome , mitochondrial genome , mitochondrial genome , mitochondrial genome , Monomorium intrudens , nest size , pest species , protein-coding genes , Ryukyu Islands , sister species , Social structure , tramp species , wing morphology

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1250.150776

 

Abstract

The genus Monomorium is an important phylogenetic group, notable for its taxonomic complexity and the presence of several well-known tramp species. In this study, we present a description of M. brachypterumsp. nov. from southern Japan along with an updated key to the Japanese species of the genus based on the worker caste. Molecular phylogenetic analysis using 13 protein-coding genes of the mitochondrial genome indicated that this new species is most closely related to M. intrudens. Within their overlapping distributions, analyses based on partial sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene showed that the two species are phylogenetically distinct. The queens of M. brachypterum are distinguished from those of M. intrudens by degenerated wings, suggesting contrasting dispersal strategies between the two sister species. In addition, a phylogenetic analysis performed for the Japanese Monomorium species provides support for the repeated evolution of diverse reproductive systems within this genus. The present study highlights a wide variety of evolutionary trends in the nest-level reproductive system, even among closely related species.