Cytogenetic studies of ant linepithema humile shattuck (= iridomyrmex humilis mayr) in european populations

Abstract

This paper is a cytogenetic study of the ant Linepithema humile Shattuck (= Iridomyrmex humilis Mayr) in Spanish populations. The karyotypes from Australian and Spanish populations of this species are compared. C-banding and silver staining is performed for the first time in Linepithema humile. The C-banding and Ag-staining pattern of this species is also compared with the corresponding patterns of other species of Formicidae. The possible processes of chromosomal evolution between related species of the genus are discussed according to the new cytogenetic data and to the different taxonomical classifications proposed about these species. © 1996 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.