Outbreeding via secondary reproductives in the termite Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) (Isoptera:Rhinotermitidae) /
Research was conducted to identify various intercolony interactions in the termite Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). Experiments focused on three main interactions: intercolony agonism, intercolony merging, and projected intercolony gene flow via secondary reproductives. Particular emphasis was g...
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| Format: | Thesis eBook |
| Language: | English |
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[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
2002.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Link to OAKTrust copy |
| Summary: | Research was conducted to identify various intercolony interactions in the termite Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). Experiments focused on three main interactions: intercolony agonism, intercolony merging, and projected intercolony gene flow via secondary reproductives. Particular emphasis was given to the possibility of intercolony gene flow via outbreeding in secondary reproductives. Experiments conducted on intercolony agonism showed no correlation between physical distance and the level of agonism exhibited. No correlation was observed between intercolony head length difference in soldiers and the level of agonism between their originating colonies. No correlation was observed between intercolony pronotal width difference in soldiers and the level of agonism between their originating colonies. Research on intercolony interactions showed that 50% of colony pairings resulted in behavior associated with merging. Colonies that merged shared physical space and resources and demonstrated no intercolony agonistic behavior. A new index for calculating the extent to which two colonies merge is proposed. Microsatellite molecular data did not identify any intercolony gene exchange via secondary reproductives in R. flavipes. Microsatellite analysis of two variable loci could not resolve whether the sharing of alleles between non-nest-mates had occurred in three intercolony pairings that produced eggs and larvae. This is, though, the first published report of intercolony fusion that resulted in the laying of eggs and the production of larvae. These data shed light on intercolony dynamics in the termite, R. flavipes. Secondary reproductives may also play a role in gene flow between sympatric populations of subterranean termites. I also discuss how this information may lead to future applications in termite control. |
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| Item Description: | "Major subject: Entomology". Vita. |
| Physical Description: | x, 53 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm. Also available online. Issued also on microfiche from Lange Micrographics. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 44-52). |