Estimation of nuclear genome size of the genus Mycetophylax Emery, 1913: evidence of no whole-genome duplication in Neoattini

Abstract

Genome size estimates and their evolution can be useful for studying the phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy of a particular group. In the present study, the genome sizes of the three species that comprise the Mycetophylax genus were estimated by flow cytometry (FCM). There was little variation in genome size among them. The mean haploid genome size value of male and female individuals of Mycetophylax morschi was 312.96 Mbp (0.32 pg) and that of Mycetophylax conformis and Mycetophylax simplex females were 312.96 Mbp (0.32 pg) and 381.42 Mbp (0.39 pg), respectively. At first glance, this variation could be related with the heterochromatin content. Our results, together with other previous reports, have contributed to our knowledge about Attini genome size and will be useful to improve the understanding of the evolution of this tribe. It will help select potential model species in Attini for future genomic and sequencing projects.