Testes and spermatozoa as characters for distinguishing two ant species of the genus Neoponera (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Authors

  • Marcelo S. Barcellos Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
  • Luiza C. B. Martins Departamento de Química e Biologia, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão—UEMA, 65604-375, Caxias, Maranhão, Brazil
  • Jamile F. S. Cossolin Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
  • José Eduardo Serrão Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
  • Jacques H. C. Delabie Laboratório de Mirmecologia, Convênio CEPLAC/UESC, CEPEC - 45600-000, Itabuna, Bahia, Brazil
  • José Lino-Neto Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Keywords:

Neoponera inversa, Neoponera villosa, testicular follicles, sperm morphometry

Abstract

We examined the morphologies of the testes and spermatozoa of the ant species Neoponera inversa (Smith) and Neoponera villosa (F.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), collected in Ilhéus, Bahia State, Brazil, looking for information to distinguish easily one species from another. In N. inversa, 3 follicles per testis occurred, and the nucleus of sperm measured 30 ± 1.6 μm in length. In N. villosa, 4 follicles per testis occurred, and the nucleus of sperm measured 50 ± 2.3 μm in length. The morphologies of the testes and the spermatozoa offer an easy and fast method to distinguish between the 2 sympatric, cryptic species N. inversa and N. villosa.

 

Sumário

Nós analisamos a morfologia dos testículos e dos espermatozoides das formigas Neoponera inversa (Smith) and Neoponera villosa (F.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), coletadas em Ilhéus, Bahia, Brasil, buscando por informações que possam facilmente distinguir uma espécie da outra. Em N. inversa ocorre 3 folículos por testículo e o núcleo dos espermatozoides medem 30 ± 1,6 μm de comprimento, já em N. villosa são 4 folículos e o núcleo dos espermatozoides medem 50 ± 2,3 μm. Portanto, a morfologia dos testículos e dos espermatozoides oferece um método fácil e rápido para distinguir N. inversa de N. villosa, duas espécies crípticas simpátricas.

 

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Published

2015-09-30

Issue

Vol. 98, No. 4 (December 2015)

Section

Scientific Notes

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