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Phylogenetic relationships within the corbiculate Apinae (Hymenoptera) and the evolution of eusociality
Author(s) -
Koulianos,
SchmidHempel,
Roubik
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of evolutionary biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.289
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1420-9101
pISSN - 1010-061X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1420-9101.1999.00043.x
Subject(s) - eusociality , biology , evolutionary biology , phylogenetic tree , zoology , sister group , hymenoptera , phylogenetics , clade , genetics , gene
We provide a comparison of 520 base pairs of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene from exemplars of the Meliponini, the Apini, the Bombini and the Euglossini to determine the phylogenetic relationships within the corbiculate Apinae. Our results strongly suggest (91–97% according to bootstrap resampling) that the Meliponini and the Bombini are sister groups. This finding agrees with those of other molecular studies, but is discordant with previous hypotheses based on morphology and the combination of molecular and morphological data. If the Bombini and Meliponini are sister groups and reversal of advanced eusociality is unlikely, then advanced eusociality arose twice within this clade. However, if reversion of eusociality occurred, then it is not possible to discriminate between single or dual origins of advanced eusociality within this group.