Submission Type
Poster
Abstract
We examined the genetic and endosymbiotic diversity of the ant-mimicking jumping spider Myrmarachne formicaria, a spider native to Eurasia whose presence in North America has expanded over the past several decades. Non-native populations often exhibit reduced genetic diversity, so patterns in genetic diversity may help demystify their number of and source of introduction events. Prior sequence analysis of several mitochondrial genes revealed little genetic variation within M. formicaria across most European and North American populations. One of this study’s aims was to sequence two nuclear genes, 28S rRNA and Histone H3, to expand the number of genetic loci available for assessing genetic diversity. Compared to other arthropods, little is known about the incidence of endosymbiont infections in arachnids and their impacts. Colonization of new geographic areas have been found, in some taxa, to result in the loss of endosymbiont bacteria. Previous surveys of both North American and a limited sample of European M. formicaria identified ubiquitous Cardinium infections and somewhat sporadic incidences of Wolbachia infection. A Cardinium gene sequenced from infected M. formicaria showed minimal variation across most samples, with a European outlier. This study also involved surveying spiders for Phage WO, a bacteriophage infecting Wolbachia. Exploring the genetic and endosymbiotic diversity of M. formicaria may help us describe patterns in their introduction and spread in North America.
Recommended Citation
Miller, Milo; Sikora, Brooke; and Dunn, Brenna, "198 - Genetic variation and endosymbiont incidence in the introduced ant-mimicking spider, Myrmarachne formicaria" (2025). GREAT Day Posters. 55.
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/great-day-symposium/great-day-2025/posters-2025/55
198 - Genetic variation and endosymbiont incidence in the introduced ant-mimicking spider, Myrmarachne formicaria
We examined the genetic and endosymbiotic diversity of the ant-mimicking jumping spider Myrmarachne formicaria, a spider native to Eurasia whose presence in North America has expanded over the past several decades. Non-native populations often exhibit reduced genetic diversity, so patterns in genetic diversity may help demystify their number of and source of introduction events. Prior sequence analysis of several mitochondrial genes revealed little genetic variation within M. formicaria across most European and North American populations. One of this study’s aims was to sequence two nuclear genes, 28S rRNA and Histone H3, to expand the number of genetic loci available for assessing genetic diversity. Compared to other arthropods, little is known about the incidence of endosymbiont infections in arachnids and their impacts. Colonization of new geographic areas have been found, in some taxa, to result in the loss of endosymbiont bacteria. Previous surveys of both North American and a limited sample of European M. formicaria identified ubiquitous Cardinium infections and somewhat sporadic incidences of Wolbachia infection. A Cardinium gene sequenced from infected M. formicaria showed minimal variation across most samples, with a European outlier. This study also involved surveying spiders for Phage WO, a bacteriophage infecting Wolbachia. Exploring the genetic and endosymbiotic diversity of M. formicaria may help us describe patterns in their introduction and spread in North America.
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