Microsatellites in the subterranean, mound-building termiteCoptotermes lacteus(Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Abstract

[Extract] The conceptual framework for the evolution of social life and colony organization is provided by kin selection theory, with predictions often tested through direct estimates of colony and population genetic structure (Pamilo et al. 1997). All termite species are eusocial yet, despite their significance as potential falsifiers to this theory, have received comparatively little attention in this respect (Reilly 1987; Husseneder et al. 1999). Colonies of the subterranean, mound-building species Coptotermes lacteus (Rhinotermitidae) are normally founded by a single reproductive pair which remain the sole progenitors for as long as 20 years (Gay & Calaby 1970). Upon failure of one or more of these primary reproductives, however, colonies will recruit secondary reproductives of either sex through differentiation of nymphal instars. This in turn promotes the formation of polygamous reproductive associations, a shift in alate production from seasonal to perennial, and extremely male-biased alate sex ratios (Lenz & Runko 1993). Thus, in addition to the application of variable markers for inferring colony structure of normal C. lacteus populations, they will make it possible to monitor how shifts in genetic heterogeneity affect reproductive decisions of orphaned colonies. In this note we characterize six polymorphic microsatellite markers from C. lacteus; member of the family Rhinotermitidae (~200 sp.). Four microsatellite markers have recently been characterized for the Termitidae (Kaib et al. 2000).