High diversity and multiple invasions to North America by fungi grown by the northern-most Trachymyrmex and Mycetomoellerius ant species

摘要: Abstract Lower diversity at range margins of expanding populations is thought to reduce host-symbiont specificity obligate symbioses. Selection for relaxed symbiont recognition systems occur when most, if not all, symbionts available a host are genetically similar. This study evaluated whether the genetic along margin (North America) were lower than those Neotropical in fungus gardening ants (subtribe Attina). Using phylogenetic, population-genetic and community-ecology approaches, we tested hypotheses that North American fungal less diverse they exhibit evidence recent population expansion. Results indicated somewhat greater Neotropics America; however, very because all lineages found also represented America. Moreover, expansion both