Alternate mechanism of species formation picks up support, thanks to a South American ant

[Judi Lynn]

Alternate mechanism of species formation picks up support, thanks to a South American ant

Date: August 21, 2014
Source: University of Rochester

Summary:

A newly discovered species of ant supports a controversial theory of species formation. The ant, only found in a single patch of eucalyptus trees on the São Paulo State University campus in Brazil, branched off from its original species while living in the same colony, something thought rare in current models of evolutionary development

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A queen ant of the parasitic species Mycocepurus castrator (left) and a queen ant of the host species Mycocepurus goeldii queen (right).

Credit: Christian Rabeling/University of Rochester[/font]

A newly-discovered species of ant supports a controversial theory of species formation. The ant, only found in a single patch of eucalyptus trees on the São Paulo State University campus in Brazil, branched off from its original species while living in the same colony, something thought rare in current models of evolutionary development.

"Most new species come about in geographic isolation," said Christian Rabeling, assistant professor of biology at the University of Rochester. "We now have evidence that speciation can take place within a single colony."

The findings by Rabeling and the research team were published today in the journal Current Biology.

In discovering the parasitic Mycocepurus castrator, Rabeling and his colleagues uncovered an example of a still-controversial theory known as sympatric speciation, which occurs when a new species develops while sharing the same geographic area with its parent species, yet reproducing on its own."While sympatric speciation is more difficult to prove," said Rabeling, "we believe we are in the process of actually documenting a particular kind of evolution-in-progress."

New species are formed when its members are no longer able to reproduce with members of the parent species. The commonly-accepted mechanism is called allopatric speciation, in which geographic barriers -- such as mountains -- separate members of a group, causing them to evolve independently.

More:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140821124835.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28Latest+Science+News+--+ScienceDaily%29

[Helen Borg]

1. the one on the left looks like

the ugly/evil version of the one on the right!

[eppur_se_muova]

2. Never let them near bright light, never feed them after midnight, and never let them near water. nt

[El Shaman]

3. it sure looks like :

Hormigas Terminator to moi !!

[Enthusiast]

4. Thank you, Judi Lynn. I love the Science Daily resource.