Christian Bernasconi

My research project focuses on the phylogeography of wood ants (Formica rufa group) in Europe. This work is under the supervision of prof. D. Cherix (University of Lausanne-DEE and Museum of Zoology of Lausanne) and prof. P. Pamilo (University of Oulu, Finland).

Due to their importance in forest ecosystems, wood ants (Formica rufa group) are protected in many European countries. Because of their morphological similarity and ability to hybridize, species identification can be very tough and the taxonomy of the group has always been controversial. At present time, the Formica rufa group includes six species: F. rufa, F. polyctena, F. lugubris, F. paralugubris, F. aquilonia and F. pratensis. A recent phylogeny based on mitochondrial DNA showed that the group could be divided into three subgroups, which are clearly separated from each other but where the relationships within a group can be unclear. The groups are:
1. Formica pratensis,
2. F. rufa and F. polyctena,
3. F. aquilonia, F. lugubris and F. paralugubris.
Formica pratensis, F. aquilonia, F. lugubris and F. paralugubris have a borealpine distribution and are therefore closely associated to mountain regions and coniferous forests.
It has been shown that during the last ice age, numerous species sheltered in the southern parts of Iberia, Italy and the Balkans. The species re-expanded northwards when climatic conditions allowed them. Different forms, races and subspecies emerged from their separate refugia and formed hybrid zones when their ranges met. Previous studies showed that Formica pratensis, F. aquilonia, F. lugubris and F. paralugubris often coexist and could form hybrid zones in the Alps and Pyrenees. These hybrid zones can act as barriers to gene flow and promote the subdivision of a species.

The aims of our study is to use microsatellites and mtDNA to
i) to assess the phylogeographic structure of Formica pratensis, F. aquilonia, F. lugubris and F. paralugubris across Europe,
ii) to analyze the genetic structure of Formica pratensis, F. aquilonia, F. lugubris and F. paralugubris within contact zones, and
iii) to clarify the taxonomy of the Formica rufa group.

To our knowledge, reconstruction of postglacial colonization of wood ants has never been completely assessed. Our work would be of greatest interest for elucidating the postglacial colonization patterns of Formica rufa group species and for revealing interesting aspects of wood ants biology such as hybridization events and mixed colonies formation. The present study will also supply essential data for wood ants protection.

Born on December 27th, 1977 in Lugano (TI), Switzerland 



Present –
First assistant; Prof. Daniel Cherix (DEE)

2005 - 2009
PhD thesis on the "Integrative taxonomy of the Formica rufa group (red wood ants)". 
Supervisors: Prof. Daniel Cherix (University of Lausanne-DEE and Museum of Zoology of Lausanne) and Prof. Pekka Pamilo (University of Oulu and University of Helsinki, Finland) 



2002 - 2005
Lab technician for Prof. Laurent Keller's group (University of Lausanne - DEE). I participated to different projects focusing on genetic characteristics of several ant species (Solenopsis invicta, Formica sp., Pogonomyrmex sp., Linepithema humile). 



2001 - 2002
Master thesis on the "Social and genetic structure of two alpine populations of Formica lugubris". 
Supervisors: Prof. Daniel Cherix, Arnaud Maeder (University of Lausanne - DEE) and Prof. Pekka Pamilo (University of Oulu, Finland). 



1996 - 2001
Studies of biology (botany, ecology and zoology) at the University of Lausanne.