title: Genetic Analysis of Termite Colonies in Wisconsin.
abstract: The objective of this study was to document current areas of subterranean termite activity in Wisconsin and to evaluate genetic characteristics of these northern, peripheral colonies. Here, amplified fragment-length polymorphism was used to characterize levels of inbreeding, expected heterozygosity, and percent polymorphism within colonies as well as genetic structure among populations sampled. Genetic analysis revealed two species of termites occur in Wisconsin, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) and Reticulitermes tibialis Banks, both found in the southern half of the state. Colonies of both species in Wisconsin are thought to represent the northern boundary of their current distributions. Measurements of within colony genetic variation showed the proportion of polymorphic loci to be between 52.9-63.9% and expected heterozygosity to range from 0.122-0.189. Consistent with geographical isolation, strong intercolony genetic differences were observed, with over 50% of FST values above 0.25 and the remaining showing moderate levels of genetic differentiation. Combined with low levels of inbreeding in most collection locations (FIS 0.042-0.123), we hypothesize termites were introduced numerous times in the state, likely by anthropogenic means. We discuss the potential effects of these genetic characteristics on successful colony establishment of termites along the northern boundary compared with termites in the core region of their distribution.
authors: USDA Forest Products Laboratory, Forest Products Laboratory, One Gifford Pinchot Drive, Madison, WI 53726. Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706. rarango@fs.fed.us.
authors: R A
authors: RA
authors: Arango
authors: Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706. Department of Biology, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182.
authors: D A
authors: DA
authors: Marschalek
authors: USDA Forest Products Laboratory, Forest Products Laboratory, One Gifford Pinchot Drive, Madison, WI 53726.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Green
authors: Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706.
authors: K F
authors: KF
authors: Raffa
authors: Department of Animal Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 542 Animal Sciences Building, 1675 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI 53706.
authors: M E
authors: ME
authors: Berres
mesh_terms: D054458:Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis; D000818:Animals; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005828:Genetics, Population; D007178:Inbreeding; D020049:Isoptera / Q000235:genetics*; D014922:Wisconsin
keywords: GENELAND; Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar); Reticulitermes tibialis Banks; amplified fragment-length polymorphism; genetic population structure