phylogenetic position of the bumble bee inquiline Bombus inexspectatus and implications for the evolution of social parasitism

The high alpine European bumble bee Bombus (Thoracobombus) inexspectatus is one of three taxa in which obligate social parasitism has evolved in bumble bees. Until now, the phylogenetic placement of this species has not been analyzed quantitatively because it is rare in nature. Here a specimen of B....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Insectes sociaux 2010-01, Vol.57 (4), p.379-383
Main Authors: Hines, H. M, Cameron, S. A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Autoecology
Biological and medical sciences
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Bombus
Bombus inexspectatus
Emery's rule
Entomology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
inquilinism
Insecta
Invertebrates
Life Sciences
Protozoa. Invertebrata
Psithyrus
Research Article
social parasitism
Systematics. Geographical distribution
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Summary:The high alpine European bumble bee Bombus (Thoracobombus) inexspectatus is one of three taxa in which obligate social parasitism has evolved in bumble bees. Until now, the phylogenetic placement of this species has not been analyzed quantitatively because it is rare in nature. Here a specimen of B. inexspectatus is sequenced for five genes to assess its phylogenetic position relative to other bumble bee species. Phylogenetic estimation of B. inexspectatus places this species within the subgenus Thoracobombus, as expected based on morphology. This provides strong support for the acquisition of social parasitism in B. inexspectatus separate from that found in the bumble bees of the subgenus Psithyrus and B. (Alpinobombus) hyperboreus. Furthermore, B. inexspectatus is not the sister taxon of its host but is a near relative, suggesting a loose but not strict adherence to Emery's rule. B. inexspectatus is a sister taxon to a clade including B. veteranus, a frequent nest usurper that has been suggested to be a facultative social parasite. The phylogenetic placement of all bumble bee social parasites relative to their hosts is discussed.
ISSN:0020-1812
1420-9098
DOI:10.1007/s00040-010-0094-1