Phylogeography of the ant Myrmica rubra and its inquiline social parasite

摘要: Widely distributed Palearctic insects are ideal to study phylogeographic patterns owing their high potential survive in many Pleistocene refugia and—after the glaciation—to recolonize vast, continuous areas. Nevertheless, such species have received little attention. Here, we investigated and subsequent postglacial colonization of common, abundant, widely ant Myrmica rubra over most its area, using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The western eastern populations M. belonged predominantly separate haplogroups, which formed a broad secondary contact zone Central Europe. distribution genetic diversity haplogroups implied that survived last glaciation multiple located an extensive area from Iberia west Siberia east, colonized present areas along several routes. matrilineal structure was probably during expansion. Additionally, because has two queen morphs, obligately socially parasitic microgyne macrogyne host, tested suggested speciation parasite. Locally, parasite host usually same haplogroup but differed haplotype frequencies. This indicates differentiation between morphs is universal pattern thus incipient, sympatric possible. If taking place, however, it not yet visible as lineage sorting mtDNA morphs.