DNA BARCODING REVEALS HIGH DIVERSITY AND PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS AMONG ANTS (FORMICIDAE) IN SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA
NJE Vol. 41(2): 200-223, 2025
DOI.10.36108/NJE/5202/14.0251
Uba Charles U.1,2*, Okoro Michael C. 1,2, Itodo Lydia N.2, Mgbodile Florence C.2, Ekeogbede Ebuka F2, Okeugo Chidiebere O. 2 , Ude George N.
1 Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, Enugu state, Nigeria.
2 DNA Learning Center Nigeria, Ugwuomu-Nike, Enugu state, Nigeria.
3 Department of Natural Sciences, Bowie State University, Bowie, MD 20715, USA
Abstract
DNA barcoding is a reliable tool for rapid species identification and assessing biodiversity patterns. Our data set includes 103 ant samples collected from subtropical areas of Enugu State, southeastern, Nigeria, to assess the population distribution, genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationship of ant species using cytochrome c oxidase (COI) gene. The most abundant taxa recorded included Camponotus sp., Pachychondyla sp., Pheidole sp., Pheidole rugaticeps, Crematogaster sp., Monomorium subopacum, and Paratrechina longicornis. Sequence analysis of the heatmap grouped the ant samples into four (A–D), and its aligned with subfamily affiliations. A total of five subfamilies were identified with Myrmicinae (39%) having the highest abundance followed by Formicinae (38%), Ponerinae (20%), Dolichoderinae (2%), and Dorylinae (1%). Formicinae exhibited the highest haplotype diversity (Hd = 0.938), while Myrmicinae showed the highest nucleotide diversity (π = 0.203). Analysis of genetic distance indicated Myrmicinae subfamily is most closely related to the Formicinae (Nei = 0.275; FST = 0.039). Furthermore, the Dolichoderinae had a closer association with the Formicinae, suggesting shared evolutionary lineages. This finding offers the first phylogenetic framework for ants in southeastern Nigeria based on DNA barcoding, and reveals that the Myrmicinae and Formicinae subfamilies possess broader habitat adaptation than other groups in this region. It also establishes the baseline for future conservation strategies targeting ant communities in West African tropical regions.
Keywords: Abundance, Subfamily; Distribution; Genetic distance; Phylogeny analysis, Tropical regions