Cytotaxonomic Studies on some Australian Dolichoderine Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

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Abstract
SUMMARY1) Details of chromosome number and morphology for two genera of Tapinomini are reported and are summarized in Table 2.2) Haploid numbers of nine for Technomyrmex and seven, eight, nine and fourteen for Iridomyrmex species are reported.3) Chromosomal differences between the species of Iridomyrmex indicate the occurrence of certain rearrangements during the evolution of the group — including a centric fusion or dissociation relating the 8-and 9-chromosome species.4) Evidence is presented suggestive of a pericentric inversion polymorphism in one species of Iridomyrmex.5) A correlation of external morphology with cytology is demonstrated for Iridomyrmex.6) In view of these findings and the genetic variability now known in hymenopteran populations, it is concluded that the principles of karyotype evolution in other bisexual animals apply also to ants despite their haplo-diploidy.