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Idogawa, N.

Publications and source records attributed to Idogawa, N..

2 recordsLinked to original sources
bioRxiv2021

The complete mitochondrial genome of a parthenogenetic ant, Monomorium triviale (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Monomorium is one of the most species-rich yet taxonomically problematic ant genus. An East Asian species, M. triviale Wheeler, W.M., 1906, are reproduced by obligate thelytokous parthenogenesis and performs strict reproductive division of labor. We sequenced the M. triviale mitogenome using next-generation sequencing methods. The circular mitogenome of M. triviale was 16,290 bp in length, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNAs, and a single non-coding region of 568 bp. The base composition was AT-biased (82%). Gene order rearrangements were detected and likely to be unique to the genus Monomorium. We announce the M. triviale mitogenome as additional genomic resources for elucidating phylogenetic and taxonomic problems of Monomorium and comparative genomics of parthenogenetic ant species.

genomics↗
bioRxiv2021

Comprehensive analysis of male-free reproduction in Monomorium triviale (Formicidae: Myrmicinae)

We report comprehensive evidence for obligatory thelytokous parthenogenesis in an ant Monomorium triviale. This species is characterized by distinct queen-worker dimorphism with strict reproductive division of labor: queens produce both workers and new queens without mating, whereas workers are completely sterile. We collected 333 nests of this species from 14 localities and three laboratory-reared populations in Japan. All wild queens dissected had no sperm in their spermathecae. Laboratory observation confirmed that virgin queens produced workers without mating. Furthermore, microsatellite genotyping showed identical heterozygous genotypes between mothers and their respective daughters, suggesting an extremely low probability of sexual reproduction. Microbial analysis detected no bacterial genera that are known to induce thelytokous parthenogenesis in Hymenoptera. Finally, the lack of variation in partial sequences of mitochondrial DNA among individuals sampled from across Japan suggests recent rapid spread or selective sweep. M. triviale would be a promising model system of superorganism-like adaptation through comparative analysis with well-studied sexual congeners, including the pharaoh ant M. pharaonis.

zoology↗