An American termite in Paris: temporal colony dynamics.

摘要: Termites of the genus Reticulitermes are widespread invaders, particularly in urban habitats. Their cryptic and subterranean lifestyle makes them difficult to detect, we know little about their colony dynamics over time. In this study examined persistence flavipes (Kollar) colonies city Paris a period 15 years. The aim was (1) define boundaries sampled within same four areas two sampling periods, (2) determine whether identified during first persisted second period, (3) compare results obtained when were delineated using standard population genetic approach versus Bayesian clustering method that combined both spatial information. Herein, delineations inferred from differences at nine microsatellite loci one mitochondrial locus. Four 18 did not show significant genotype distributions between periods. While allelic richness low, making it hard reliably distinguish family type, most appeared retain breeding structure These large expansive showed an important ability fuse (39% mixed-family colonies), contained hundreds reproductives displayed evidence isolation-by-distance, suggesting budding dispersal. traits, which favor time, present challenge for pest control efforts, apply treatment locally. other differences, but cannot exclude possibility simply changed