First Preliminary Molecular Assessment of Ants from Cabo Verde

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Ants are one of the most abundant animal groups on the planet and have a considerable impact on ecosystems. In the Cabo Verde Archipelago, the study of invertebrates is very scarce and ants are no exception. Methods: In this work we focus on the taxonomic analysis of formicids and study their distribution and the possible presence of invasive species in the Cabo Verde Islands. In addition, the diversity of Cabo Verde ants is compared with that of the closest African coastal countries, Senegal and Mauritania, to study a possible colonization of African ants into the archipelago. For this, we use two molecular markers, cytochrome oxidase I and the wingless gene, to perform phylogenetic analyses and haplotype networks that facilitate identification. Results: Nine taxa were identified, five invasive species, Paratrechina longicornis, Pheidole megacephala, Trichomyrmex destructor, Brachyponera sennaarensis, and Solenopsis globularia, one endemic Monomorium subopacum and three unidentified species of native genera, Monomorium sp., Lepisiota sp. Camponotus sp. Conclusions: Molecular network patterns as well as phylogenetic analyses suggest that ants are widespread throughout the archipelago, a likely consequence of human introductions.