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Student 10-Minute Paper

Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity

Student Competition

Student

Grad Competition SysEB: Morphology 2

Ant diversification in the Galápagos Islands: From morphology to genetics

Monday, November 6, 2023
11:06 AM - 11:18 AM ET
Location: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Chesapeake 6
In-Person Student Competition
Colonization processes across islands can drive morphological and genotypic divergence leading to diversification. Patterns of trait diversity are known to be more affected by vicariance, or the geographic isolation of populations. Although extensive research has explored how isolation drives insect diversification, how ants genetic and phenotypic variation is distributed across islands has yet to be explored. Here, we combine genetic sequencing and linear morphometrics to examine trait variation within 20 introduced and endemic species to the islands. Methodologically, we used DNA barcoding to analyze genetic variation and measure population structure. For phylogenetic inferences, we compared COI sequences from this study with worldwide data records deposited on the NCBI and BOLD databases. Morphometric sampling included linear measurements of morphological traits typically used in ant systematics and with demonstrated ecological significance. To assess the comparative morphospace across populations, we used principal components analysis (PCA). Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that geographically close populations clustered together, while still preserving intra-island variation. We also found high variability and genetic structuring in presumed natives in contrast to introduced species in the archipelago. Although we provide preliminary evidence for genetic structure among populations, in some cases this is uncoupled from the morphological variation. This study encompasses a pioneering effort in studying the evolutionary dynamics of insects in the Galápagos islands. These baseline results will be taken into consideration for further research integrating a genomic framework.