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Updated: Mar 8, 2026
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Using Phylogenetic Analysis to Investigate Eukaryotic Gene Origin
Published on: August 14, 2018
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Conflict in ant phylogeny results from complex interaction between multiple evolutionary signals and tree
Wentao Tao1, Giorgio Bianchini2, Enrico Schifani3
1Bristol Palaeobiology Group, Schools of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK.
Molecular Biology and Evolution
|March 7, 2026
Summary
Investigating ant evolutionary relationships using BUSCO genes, this study found conflicting signals supporting three hypotheses. Early ant evolution appears complex, potentially due to incomplete lineage sorting or introgression.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Entomology
- Phylogenetics
Background:
- Ants (Formicidae) are ubiquitous social insects with debated evolutionary histories.
- Three competing hypotheses exist regarding the placement of Martialinae, a subfamily of cryptic ants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phylogenetic relationships of ants, specifically the placement of Martialinae.
- To resolve conflicting evolutionary signals within ant genomes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized BUSCO genes for phylogenetic analysis of individual and concatenated gene datasets.
- Employed the CAT-posterior mean site frequencies (CAT-PMSF) approach to account for data heterogeneity.
- Conducted tests to assess the impact of across-lineage compositional heterogeneity.
Main Results:
- Individual gene trees supported all three proposed ant relationship hypotheses.
- Concatenated gene datasets showed persistent, model-dependent signal strength for the three hypotheses.
- The CAT-PMSF approach identified Martialinae as sister to all ants except Leptanillinae.
- Tests for heterogeneity did not resolve alternative topologies, but revealed significant gene and site discordance.
Conclusions:
- Conflicting evolutionary signals within ant genomes suggest complex early evolutionary processes.
- Incomplete lineage sorting and/or introgression likely impacted early ant evolution.
- Resolving the sister group to all other ants (Leptanillinae, Leptanillinae + Martialinae, or Martialinae) remains challenging.
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