Population genetic structure and colony breeding system in dampwood termites (Zootermopsis angusticollis and Z. nevadensis nuttingi)

Abstract

Studies describing the population genetic structure and breeding system of basal lineages of termite species remain rare. Such species, however, may reveal ancestral life history attributes potentially influential in the evolution of social life within the Isoptera. Through the development and application of microsatellite DNA loci, we investigated patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation within the dampwood termite Zootermopsis angusticollis collected from three geographically distinct locations in California, USA. Significant genetic differentiation was identified among all sites, which were located 40-150 km apart, and each site was found to represent unique populations with limited levels of gene flow. While Z. angusticollis alates have previously been described as being strong fliers, genetic evidence suggests limited dispersal, possibly due to habitat characteristics restricting long-range flights. Additionally, we characterize patterns of colony genetic structure and breeding system within both Z. angusticollis and its congener Z. nevadensis nuttingi. In Z. angusticollis, simple, extended, and mixed family colonies were observed. The frequency of simple families ranged from 16 to 64%, whereas mixed families were found in only two locations and at low frequencies. In contrast, Z. n. nuttingi, formed primarily extended family colonies. Estimates of relatedness suggest that monogamous pairs heading simple families consist of reproductives showing variable degrees of relatedness from unrelated to close relatives. Additionally, the effective number of neotenic reproductives appears to be low within extended families of both species.

Single-Cell DNA Barcoding Using Sequences from the Small Subunit rRNA and Internal Transcribed Spacer Region Identifies New Species of Trichonympha and Trichomitopsis from the Hindgut of the Termite Zootermopsis angusticollis

“…The termites from which these hindgut symbionts were isolated were confirmed to be Z. angusticollis as their mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene sequences (GenBank accession KC136610 and KC136611) were identical to those previously sequenced from Z. angusticollis [33].…”

“…VTPAC2011. The identity of the termites was confirmed by obtaining DNA sequences from their mitochondrial COI gene as described in Booth et al 2012 [33]. The hindgut was removed and the contents were resuspended in Trager's Medium U [42].…”

Molecular traces of alternative social organization in a termite genome

“…Relative to other insects, there is a greater number of desaturase genes in ants 62 , although alkenes or polyunsaturated alkenes have not been found in all ants investigated 63 . Z. nevadensis nuttingi displays two alkadienes and two alkatrienes in the cuticular profile of reproductive individuals 49 , but the number of desaturases is at the lower end of the number of putatively functional desaturase genes found in ants (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23). If the desaturase genes are linked to more complex communication, we predict that an expansion of desaturase genes should be found in higher termites as we also predicted for genes associated with olfactory perception.…”

“…Genome sequencing utilized a colony consisting of one naturally inbred family with complete homozygosity at four microsatellites that normally have two to three alleles in this population 13 (Supplementary Note 1; Supplementary Table 1). After sequencing, reads were strictly filtered leading to an average coverage depth of 98.4 Â with an estimated genome size of 562 Mb (Methods; Supplementary Fig.…”

Genetic Analysis of Population Structure and Reproductive Mode of the Termite Reticulitermes chinensis Snyder

“…The analyses of genetic differentiation and patterns of gene flow within and among termite populations promoted understanding of population dynamics and dispersal patterns [3]–[5], and can help clarify the effect of ecological factors and human disturbance on the levels of genetic differentiation and gene flow [6]–[8]. Moreover, the studies on population genetic structure of invasive termites are helpful to identify potential source populations and to assess whether changes in genetic variability and/or breeding system are associated with invasiveness [9]–[11].…”