A molecular framework for the phylogeny of the ant subfamily Dolichoderinae

Partial sequences are reported for the mitochondrial genes for cytochrome o xidase subunits 2 and 3 and-for cytochrome b, and the entire sequence of th e gene for tRNA(UUR)(Leu) for species from 14 genera of dolichoderine ants and from three outgroup genera. Considerable variation was observed between tRNA genes in the size of the T PsiC arm and the DHU and anticodon loops a nd whether or not the T PsiC stem possesses a GC pair. The outgroup taxa sh owed complete TAA CO1 stop codons, but dolichoderines have either TA or T. The outgroup taxa showed a noncoding gap between the CO1 and the tRNA(UUR)( Leu) genes. A phylogeny-independent compatibility test using the amino acid sequences showed differences between the genes consistent with variation i n evolutionary rates, according with other studies. Base compositions prove d heterogeneous between species, hence phylogenetic analysis was restricted to the protein sequences using maximum likelihood and the mtREV24 replacem ent matrix. A maximum-likelihood consensus tree has similarities to those f rom morphological studies with some exceptions such Leptomyrmex falling wit hin the dolichoderine genera rather than basally, and the accretion of gene ra formerly included under Iridomyrmex. Features of the tRNA genes and the CO1 termination codons agree quite well with the molecular phylogeny. (C) 2 000 Academic Press.