Gunther Jansen, Riitta Savolainen, and Kari Vepsäläinen. Dept of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
The ant genus Myrmica is common and widespread throughout the Holarctic region and comprises about 170 described species. Although much work has been done on the taxonomy of this group, a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis is still lacking. The validity of the morphologically characterised species groups within Myrmica has not been properly investigated. This study is the first attempt to assess the phylogenetic relationships within the genus using molecular data. The initial exploration of the variation in the sequences of seven mitochondrial and nuclear genes enables selection of the most informative genes for further study. This pilot study includes at least two members of the most common species groups currently recognised in Myrmica. It investigates samples from Europe, central and eastern Asia and North America. Preliminary results suggest that the Palearctic and Nearctic do not seem to harbour monophyletic clades of Myrmica. The usefulness of the gene regions for the intrageneric study of Myrmica and the detailed relationships of the representatives included in this study are discussed.
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