Microsatellite Genotyping to Distinguish Colonies and IntraSpecies Genetic Variation in the Eastern Subterranean Termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Authors

Timothy J. Husen, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Shripat T. Kamble, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Julie M. Stone, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2006

Comments

Published in Sociobiology 48(3):819-835, 2006.

Abstract

Microsatellite markers and fingerprinting techniques have demonstrated great potential for assessing colony affiliation in Reticulitermes species. This study utilized microsatellite allele fingerprints and examined variation at eight micro satellite loci within five different R. flavipes collection sites in each of Lancaster and Madison counties in Nebraska. In the termite populations from Lancaster County, five of the eight microsatellite loci (Rf 1-3, Rf 3-1, Rf 5-1 0, Rf 6-1, and Rf 24-2) provided informative genotypic variability allowing colony distinction. DNA sequence data at locus Rf24-2 also provided conclusive evidence that populations sampled were distinct colonies. Five micro satellite loci (Rf 3-1, Rf 5-1 0, Rf 6-1, Rf 11-1, and Rf 24-2) were also found ro be informative in the termite populations from Madison County. Genotypic diversity by micro satellite allele assignment allowed distinctions between the most closely collected as well as distantly collected colonies.