Complex Evolutionary Histor of Mboumar, a Mariner Element Widely Represented in Ant Genomes

Abstract

This study examines the mariner-like transposable element Mboumar, previously identified in the ant Messor bouvieri, across 22 ant species from nine subfamilies, including both primitive and derived lineages. The widespread presence of Mboumar-like elements in ant genomes is evident, but the phylogenetic relationships of these elements do not align with the evolutionary history of their ant hosts. Genetic analysis revealed conserved transposable elements with uninterrupted open reading frames in 11 species, encoding transposases closely resembling the active Mboumar-9 transposase. Selection tests indicate purifying selection has shaped the evolution of these elements.