Cytogenetic studies in Neotropical ants of the genus Gnamptogenys Roger (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Ectatomminae)

Studies on the karyotypes of three Neotropical species of the genus Gnamptogenys (Ectatomminae, Ectatominini) have been carried out: Gnamptogenys striatula Mayr, Gnamptogenys sp. and Gnamptogenys annulata Mayr, collected at Vicosa (Minas Gerais, Brazil) and Ilheus (Bahia, Brazil). The chromosome number of G. striatula was established from individuals taken in colonies from both localities was 2n=34, with the karyotype formula 2K=24M+10A. In Gnamptogenys sp., the chromosomal number was 2n=46 (females) and n=23 (males), and its karyotype formula was 2K=18M+28A. The chromosomal number of G. annulata was 2n=68 with the karyotype 2K= 6M + 62A. This study complements those carried out by our research group on cytogenetics of the poneromorph ants (sensu Bolton) and would contribute to the better understanding of the ant evolution in this group considered primitive.