Global genetic analysis reveals the putative native source of the invasive termite,Reticulitermes flavipes,in France

Biological invasions are recognized as a major threat to both natural and managed ecosystems. Phylogeographic and population genetic analyses can provide information about the geographical origins and patterns of introduction and explain the causes and mechanisms by which introduced species have become successful invaders. Reticulitermes flavipes is a North American subterranean termite that has been introduced into several areas, including France where introduced populations have become invasive. To identify likely source populations in the USA and to compare the genetic diversity of both native and introduced populations, an extensive molecular genetic study was undertaken using the COII region of mtDNA and 15 microsatellite loci. Our results showed that native northern US populations appeared well differentiated from those of the southern part of the US range. Phylogenetic analysis of both mitochondrial and nuclear markers showed that French populations probably originated from southeastern US populations, and more specifically from Louisiana. All of the mtDNA haplotypes shared between the United States and France were found in Louisiana. Compared to native populations in Louisiana, French populations show lower genetic diversity at both mtDNA and microsatellite markers. These findings are discussed along with the invasion routes of R. flavipes as well as the possible mechanisms by which French populations have evolved after their introduction.     

白蚁防治技术

白蚁是破坏性很强的社会性昆虫。文章从白蚁的探测和监测、物理防治、化学防治、生物源物质防治和白蚁信息素的利用技术5个方面综述白蚁防治技术的最新研究进展。同时展望白蚁未来的研究领域。     

Termites like it hot and humid: the ability of arboreal tropical termites to mediate their nest environment against ambient conditions

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Amino acid concentration and distribution of lysozyme and protease activities in the guts of higher termites

Abstract The distributions of lysozyme and protease activities and of amino acids was measured in the guts of five species of higher termites, Macrotermes annandalei, Odontotermes formosanus, Pericaproitermes nitobei , Termes comis and Nasutitermes takasagoensis . Lysozyme activity was found only in M. annandalei, P. nitobei and N. takasagoensis. Protease activity was high in the midgut of all species but negligible elsewhere in the gut. Amino acid concentration was highest in the midgut of all species of workers.     

A new Palliduphantes Saaristo & Tanasevitch, 1996 from the Elburz Mountains,Iran (Araneae: Linyphiidae)

A new linyphiid spider, Palliduphantes elburz, sp. n., is described, based on material of both sexes taken from high altitudes in the Elburz Mts, northern Iran. The male of the new species is easily distinguished not only from the single Iranian congener, P. sbordonii (Brignoli, 1970), but also from other species of the genus by the strongly modified palpal tibia, the peculiar shape of the lamella characteristica, as well as the form and armature of the embolus. The epigyne of P. elburz, sp. n. seems to be most similar to P. stygius (Simon, 1884) from the western Mediterranean, but differs well by the much longer stretcher.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E10F35CE-47D2-4FF8-9386-A00F3E61659B     

First record of intersex in neotenic reproductives of the termite Cryptotermes brevis (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae)

Drywood termites of the family Kalotermitidae present a very flexible developmental pattern, in which pseudergates are totipotent and may become reproductives. In this study, three colonies of Cryptotermes brevis headed by neotenic reproductives were used: (i) colony A, with a primary king and a neotenic queen; (ii) colony B, with a primary queen and a neotenic king; and (iii) colony C, with neotenic king and queen. The primary king from colony A and the neotenic king from colony B presented well‐developed reproductive systems, with conspicuous testicular lobes and cysts containing spermatozoa also observed in the seminal vesicles. The neotenic queen of colony A and the primary queen of colony B had ovaries with several oocytes in early developmental stages with some of them already vitellogenic and terminal, which suggests egg‐laying activity. Both of these queens presented the spermathecae lumen filled with spermatozoa. The queen of colony C had vitellogenic oocytes; however, the oocytes were not terminal and the lumen of spermathecae was devoid of spermatozoa and secretions. The seminal vesicles of colony C neotenic king have no spermatozoa. This king displayed a previtellogenic oocyte among its testicular lobes, which suggested that this individual was an intersex.     

Parallel morphological evolution and habitat‐dependent sexual dimorphism in cave‐ vs. surface populations of the Asellus aquaticus (Crustacea: Isopoda: Asellidae) species complex

Studying parallel evolution (repeated, independent evolution of similar phenotypes in similar environments) is a powerful tool to understand environment‐dependent selective forces. Surface‐dwelling species that repeatedly and independently colonized caves provide unique models for such studies. The primarily surface‐dwelling Asellus aquaticus species complex is a good candidate to carry out such research, because it colonized several caves in Europe. By comparing 17 functional morphological traits between six cave and nine surface populations of the A. aquaticus species complex, we investigated population divergence in morphology and sexual dimorphism. We found habitat‐dependent population divergence in 10 out of 17 traits, likely reflecting habitat‐driven changes in selection acting on sensory systems, feeding, grooming, and antipredator mechanisms. Sexual dimorphism was present in 15 traits, explained by sexual selection acting on male traits important in male–male agonistic behavior or mate guarding and fecundity selection acting on female traits affecting offspring number and nursing. In eight traits, the degree of sexual dimorphism was habitat dependent. We conclude that cave‐related morphological changes are highly trait‐ and function‐specific and that the strength of sexual/fecundity selection strongly differs between cave and surface habitats. The considerable population variation within habitat type warrants further studies to reveal cave‐specific adaptations besides the parallel patterns.     

Vocal repertoire of the social Mashona mole-rat (Fukomys darlingi) and how it compares with other mole-rats

Vocalizations play a major role in communication of mammals with subterranean lifestyles since other senses are dramatically restricted in the environment of below ground burrows. In our study, we recorded vocalizations of 10 adult males and 10 adult females of a social bathyergid, the Mashona mole-rat (Fukomys darlingi) in different behavioural contexts. Vocalizations were divided into four categories according to behavioural contexts. Similar to other subterranean mammals, the range of Mashona mole-rat calls is shifted towards lower frequencies. We described 10 types of true vocal signals and 2 mechanical sounds. The vocal repertoire of the Mashona mole-rat is less rich compared to other social mole-rats, corresponding with its low mean family size. Interestingly, this species has a higher diversity in contact and distress calls, while using a relatively low number of aggressive signals.     

The cephalic morphology of the troglobiontic cholevine species Troglocharinus ferreri (Coleoptera,Leiodidae)

Leiodidae are the second largest subterranean radiation of beetles at family rank. To explore morphological trends linked with troglobiontic habits and characters with potential phylogenetic significance, the head of the cave-dwelling species Troglocharinus ferreri (Cholevinae, Leptodirini) was examined in detail. Overall, the general pattern is similar to what is found in Catops ventricosus (Cholevini). Shared apomorphic features include a fully exposed anterolateral concavity containing the antennal socket, a distinct bead above this depression, a bilobed lip-like structure anterad the labrum, a flat elevated portion of the ventral mandibular surface, and a ventral process at the proximomesal edge of this mandibular area. The tentorial structures are well-developed as in C. ventricosus, with a large laminatentorium and somewhat shortened dorsal arms. The mouthparts are largely unmodified, with the exception of unusually well-developed extrinsic maxillary muscles. Features of T. ferreri obviously linked with subterranean habits are the complete lack of compound eyes, circumocular ridges, and optic lobes. A series of characters is similar to conditions found in other genera of Leptodirini: the head capsule completely lacks a protruding ocular region, a distinct neck is missing, the transverse occipital crest is indistinct, and the antennae are elongate and lack a distinct club. Two different trends of cephalic transformations occur in troglobiontic Leptodirini, with some genera like Troglocharinus and Leptodirus having elongated head capsules and antennae, and others having broadened, more transverse heads. In contrast, the modifications are more uniform in the closely related Ptomaphagini, with a pattern distinctly differing from Leptodirini: the head is transverse, with a distinctly protruding ocular region, a distinct transverse occipital crest, and a very narrow neck region.     

New trace fossils of termites (Insecta: Isoptera) from the late Eocene‐early Miocene of Egypt,and the reconstruction of ancient isopteran social behavior

Three new ichnogenera and five new ichnospecies are described for new trace fossils of termitaria (including associated gallery systems) of subterranean termites from upper Eocene through lower Miocene rocks of northern Egypt. All but two ichnospecies (Krausichnus trompitus, ichnogen, and ichnosp. nov., and A’, altus, ichnosp. nov.) show varying degrees of affinity to nests of the extant subterranean termite species Sphaerotermes sphaerothorax (Termitidae, Macro‐termitinae).

Termitichnus qatranii (Bown, 1982) is divided into two ichnospecies, the previously named T. qatranii, and a more generalized form, T. simplicidens, ichnosp. nov. Vondrichnus obovatus, ichnogen. and ichnosp. nov., is named for simple, possibly macrotermitine nests with oblate form, and Fleaglellius pagodus, ichnogen. and ichnosp. nov., records a nest form similar to V. obovatus, but one in which successive vertical growth by chamber apposition has produced a subterranean, tower‐like structure, reminiscent of that built by extant, epigeous Cubitermes. Krausichnus trompitus, ichnogen. and ichnosp. nov., and A’, altus, ichnosp. nov., record two unique nest architectures probably produced by unknown but related species of humivorous termites. The nest architecture expressed by Krausichnus is of wholly unknown affinity and is only distantly related in form to the ichnofossils of other termite nests known from the Tertiary of Egypt.

Study of the architecture of the nests of these ancient termites reveals details important in reconstructing the phylogeny of termite nests and documents two novel blueprints for chamber expansion and society budding in what were probably primitive Macrotermi‐tinae. It also indicates that at least two constructed edifices, earlier known only as epigeous manifestations of extant termite species, were almost certainly first developed by species living underground.

The extant Macrotermitinae are a subfamily of termites originally believed to have evolved in the post‐Eocene of the Ethiopian biogeo‐graphic region. We offer fossil evidence of four distinct, possibly macrotermitine structures from upper Eocene rocks. This evidence suggests that this termite subfamily (or at least their peculiar mode of nest construction) might have evolved considerably earlier, as it is already well established and exhibits several variants by the late Eocene in Egypt.