Colony Breeding Structure of the Invasive Termite <I>Reticulitermes urbis</I> (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Abstract

Invasive species cause severe environmental and economic problems. The invasive success of social insects often appears to be related to their ability to adjust their social organization to new environments. To gain a better understanding of the biology of invasive termites, this study investigated the social organization of the subterranean termite, Reticulitermes urbis, analyzing the breeding structure and the number of reproductives within colonies from three introduced populations. By using eight microsatellite loci to determine the genetic structure, it was found that all the colonies from the three populations were headed by both primary reproductives (kings and queens) and secondary reproductives (neotenics) to form extended-family colonies. R. urbis appears to be the only Reticulitermes species with a social organization based solely on extended-families in both native and introduced populations, suggesting that there is no change in their social organization on introduction. F-statistics indicated that there were few neotenics within the colonies from urban areas, which did not agree with results from previous studies and field observations. This suggests that although several neotenics may be produced, only few become active reproductives. The results also imply that the invasive success of R. urbis may be based on different reproductive strategies in urban and semiurbanized areas. The factors influencing an individual to differentiate into a neotenic in Reticulitermes species are discussed.

Spatial structuring of the population genetics of a European subterranean termite species

“…2010; Perdereau et al. 2013a). Therefore, investigating the population genetics of Reticulitermes species, whether endemic or introduced, may yield information that clarifies how breeding structure influences large-scale genetic differentiation (i.e.…”

“…In the new ranges of some introduced populations, colony genetic structure may exhibit very particular patterns, such as the presence of hundreds of inbred neotenic reproductives and increased colony fusion (R. flavipes [=R. santonensis], introduced from the USA to France and other countries (Dronnet et al 2005(Dronnet et al , 2006Perdereau et al 2010Perdereau et al , 2013bPerdereau et al , 2015; and R. urbis, introduced from the Balkans to France and Italy (Leniaud et al 2010;Perdereau et al 2013a). Therefore, investigating the population genetics of Reticulitermes species, whether endemic or introduced, may yield information that clarifies how breeding structure influences large-scale genetic differentiation (i.e.…”

Cupins em residências de um bairro em Cáceres, Mato Grosso

“…Constantino (2002) mostrou que os cupins-praga ocorrentes em áreas urbanas são menos conhecidos do que os cupins-praga presentes em áreas agrícolas. No entanto, outros autores relataram a presença de cupins com esses hábitos nesses ambientes (Faragalla;Al Qhtani, 2013;Perdereau et al, 2013), sugerindo que estes insetos são amplamente conhecidos e percebidos.…”