Submission Type

Poster

Start Date

April 2021

Abstract

The ant-mimicking spider Myrmarachne formicaria (Salticidae) is a species native to Eurasia and was first identified in North America in 2001. It has since been found in many locations in the Northeast including western New York, western Pennsylvania, northeastern Ohio, and southern Ontario. Little is known about its introduction to North America and how it has dispersed since. By characterizing the mitochondrial genetic diversity of this species, we can learn about its introduction history and dispersal patterns in North America. Sequencing of a 600-bp mitochondrial DNA gene region spanning the 16s rRNA, leucine tRNA, and part of the ND1 gene from 27 specimens collected from 14 localities in New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio yielded no genetic polymorphisms. Comparisons with sequence data available with GenBank for other salticid species (Myrmarachne erythrocephala and Habronattus ustulatus) have shown that within-species divergence in this mitochondrial DNA region is found in other spiders, so M. formicaria’s lack of variation is likely unusual. Our current data are consistent with a single invasion of Myrmarachne formicaria from one source locality, but data from additional loci and samples would help to confirm this conclusion.

Comments

Faculty sponsor: Jennifer L. Apple. Also presented at the Northeast Natural History Conference.

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Apr 26th, 12:00 AM

208— Describing Genetic Diversity in a Non-Native Ant-Mimicking Spider

The ant-mimicking spider Myrmarachne formicaria (Salticidae) is a species native to Eurasia and was first identified in North America in 2001. It has since been found in many locations in the Northeast including western New York, western Pennsylvania, northeastern Ohio, and southern Ontario. Little is known about its introduction to North America and how it has dispersed since. By characterizing the mitochondrial genetic diversity of this species, we can learn about its introduction history and dispersal patterns in North America. Sequencing of a 600-bp mitochondrial DNA gene region spanning the 16s rRNA, leucine tRNA, and part of the ND1 gene from 27 specimens collected from 14 localities in New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio yielded no genetic polymorphisms. Comparisons with sequence data available with GenBank for other salticid species (Myrmarachne erythrocephala and Habronattus ustulatus) have shown that within-species divergence in this mitochondrial DNA region is found in other spiders, so M. formicaria’s lack of variation is likely unusual. Our current data are consistent with a single invasion of Myrmarachne formicaria from one source locality, but data from additional loci and samples would help to confirm this conclusion.

 

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