Project 1 - Ants: Taxonomic and Evolutionary Studies of a Hyperdiverse Fauna

1.2: Systematics and speciation of the ecologically important but taxonomically difficult ants in the Monomorium rothsteini species complex

Challenges

Monomorium is a highly abundant, widespread and diverse genus of ants. A recent revision of the genus in Australia highlighted several "species" which show considerable morphological variation. Although the degree of variation exhibited by some of these species is commonly associated with different but closely related species, rigorous morphological diagnosis that supported separate species proved difficult.

Historically ant species limits have been based primarily on worker morphology. However, this approach can be inadequate for groups where high levels of intra specific variation obscure differences between species. One of the more clear examples of this is M. rothsteini. This species is a widespread and dominant seed harvester throughout the tropical and arid zones of Australia. Currently described as a single species, the high level of morphological variation in clypeal margin shape, sculpture and pilosity suggests a cryptically diverse species complex.

Seeking solutions

This project will employ a diverse range of data to discover and describe new species in an ecologically important group of seed harvesting ants.

Approaches

Delimiting species in cryptically diverse taxa often requires information from a number of alternative sources. This project will use an integrative approach by combining morphological datasets with mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences, distributional information and ecology to form robust species hypotheses.

Collaboration

Throughout the project I will be working in close collaboration with other members of the Ant Project. Members of this group will contribute a diverse range of knowledge and skills in molecular sequencing, ant systematics, ecology and information technology.

Tools for Decision Makers

A key output of this project will be published species descriptions and identification tools (key, diagrams and images) that enable identification of species within the complex. This information will also be made available online via the CSIRO Australian Ants Online website.

It is anticipated that the methods and protocols for delimiting species in the M. rothsteini species complex can be transferred to other species complexes within Monomorium as well as other groups of ants.