Molecular phylogeny of Monomorium pharaonis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on rRNA sequences of mitochondrial gene

Abstract

Many studies on forensic entomology have focussed on Diptera and lack the Hymenopteras population. Nonetheless, hymenopterans are part of the entomofaunal colonization of a corpse. Morphologically, it is difficult to identify and distinguish between them. In this study, using mitochondrial DNA knowledge, the molecular analysis was performed to classify the recovered species of hymenoptera collected from rabbit carcass, quickly and accurately. A molecular identification method with a 251-bp fragment of the 16S ribosomal gene RNA (16S rRNA) from a single ant species was evaluated. The maximum likelihood method analysis has recovered a generally well-supported phylogeny, with most taxa and species groups currently being recognized as monophyletic. The aculeate consists of some Hymenoptera’s best known. Their sister group has traditionally been considered in Ichneumonoidea. In addition, Trigonaloidea was found as the aculeates’ sister group and Crabronidae in Apoidea forming the Formicidae’s sister group. These results will play an important role in the implementation of the Saudi database forensically relevant ants.