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Biological and molecular insights into invasive...
Transcript of Biological and molecular insights into invasive...
Biological and molecular insights into invasive subterranean termites
(Coptotermes, Heterotermes) in the Caribbean Basin
Susan C. Jones and Tyler D. Eaton
Department of Entomology The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
TERMITES Formerly in order Isoptera Now in order Dictyoptera
• Hemimetabolous (incomplete metamorphosis) • Immatures perform tasks in the colony (child labor)
• Diploid-diploid genetic system
• Role for females and males (sexual equality)
• Eusocial insects (highest level of sociality)
3 termite castes in the termite colony:
• Worker
• Soldier
• Reproductive
Alate
Queen
King
Neotenic reproductive
Conspicuous arboreal nests of Nasutitermes corniger are common
throughout the Caribbean.
soldiers
Termite nest types ( =very common in Caribbean)
One-piece nests: inside wood―colony size constrained by wood size Intermediate nests: inside wood, but underground gallery network allows colonization of additional wood pieces Separate nests: nest completely distinct from termites’ food
» Subterranean nests-completely under ground, but covered workings {shelter tubes} are constructed above ground
» Epigeal nests-protruding above the soil surface, i.e., mounds
» Arboreal nests-built on a tree trunk or branch, but linked with the soil by shelter tubes
conspicuous
Coptotermes species distributions: native ranges (colored areas) and invasive locations (symbols). Stripes represent overlapping native distributions.
Symbols with black center indicate likely to have been eradicated at location.
Evans et al. 2013. Biology of invasive termites: a worldwide review. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 58:455–474.
Equator
Tropic of Cancer
Tropic of Capricorn
Coptotermes spp. are spread long distances through maritime trade and boats; often first
found near harbors and sea ports.
Caribaea colleagues, Please help me monitor the arrival and inevitable spread of invasive Coptotermes so interventions can be employed.
Knowledge of the problem is a critical step.
Distribution based on: aJones et al. 2017. Formosan subterranean termite established in Grand Bahama. J. Entomol Sci. 52:445-449; Scheffrahn et al. 2015. … Coptotermes in the New World. Arthropod Syst. Phylo. 73:333–348; S.C. Jones, unpubl. data
Map template: https://www.tripsavvy.com/
• Grand Bahamaa
• New Providence • GrandTurk • Providenciales (Caicos) • Cuba • Grand & Little Cayman • Jamaica • Haiti • Puerto Rico • Virgin Gorda (BVI) • Antigua & Barbuda • St. Kitts & Nevis • Monserrat • Barbados
Coptotermes formosanus Formosan subterranean termite
Coptotermes gestroi Asian subterranean termite
Endemic species: Coptotermes testaceus
C. gestroi COII cladogram
, USA
COII gene (637 bp) Phylogenetic analyses:
• Maximum likelihood • Bayesian inference
Damage to wood in Puerto Rico structures caused by C. gestroi (Asian subterranean termite):
Damage to live trees in Puerto Rico caused by C. gestroi (Asian subterranean termite):
It attacks many tree species: • Australian pine (Casuarina spp.) • Seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera) • Bottlebrush (Callistemon spp.) • Etc.…
Behavioral characteristics of Coptotermes spp. soldiers:
• Large numbers congregate at disturbance sites • Secrete a white viscous fluid from frontal gland opening on head
Photo credit: Scheffrahn et al. 2015. A single endemic and three exotic species of the termite genus Coptotermes (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae) in the New World. Arthropod Syst. Phylo. 73:333–348.
Coptotermes formosanus Formosan subterranean termite
Distinguishing morphological features of soldiers:
Fontanelle (external opening to frontal gland)
Coptotermes gestroi Asian subterranean termite
Characteristics of Coptotermes gestroi alates (winged reproductives):
• Fly near twilight (sunset) or night until ~midnight
• Very attracted to lights • Can fly up to 1 km; mean of ~200 m • Fly during March in Puerto Rico • Tiny hairs cover the wing surface
(quickly shed wings after flying) • Dark chestnut brown body
Background: Genus Heterotermes Froggatt
Worldwide distribution in subtropical and tropical regions
Invasive species
Economic importance:
Structural pests
Attack some field crops
Speculated to be: • a single, highly variable species OR • a complex series of several closely related species, with
intergrading species between tenuis & convexinotatus
Snyder, T. E. 1924. Descriptions of new species and hitherto unknown castes of termites from America and Hawaii. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 64:1-40 +5 plates.
Heterotermes in Puerto Rico
Most likely a single, highly
variable species, but requires
further taxonomic investigation.
Grand Cayman n=1
Jamaica n=3
Cuba n=1
Puerto Rico n=3
Dominican Rep. n=2
Bahamas n=20
Bonaire n=1
Florida n=1
Turks & Caicos n=1
St. Bart n=1
St. Kitts&Nevis n=2
Aruba & Curacao n=2
Antigua n=1
Martinique n=1 Barbados
n=1
Trinidad & Tobago n=4
BVI n=1
USVI n=3
St.Lucia,St.Vincent, Grenada n=3
Geographical distribution of Heterotermes 16S haplotype groupings and species in the Caribbean Region based on
59 Caribbean samples (Szalanski et al. 2004)
27 km (17 mi)
13 km (8 mi)
61 km (41 mi)
Culebra Island 30 km2 (12 mi2)
Mona Island 9104 km2
(3515 mi2) Vieques Is. 348 km2
(134 mi2)
57 km2
(22 mi2)
65 km (40 mi) Puerto Rico
180 km (112 mi)
Three samples were H. convexinotatus (Szalanski et al. 2004)
• 75 Heterotermes samples: • 69 from Puerto Rican mainland
(subtropical dry forest) • 6 from Culebra Island • GenBank sequence entries
(126 for all Het. spp.) • Sequenced two mitochondrial loci:
• 16s rRNA gene (371 bp) • COII gene (637 bp)
• Phylogenetic analyses: • Maximum likelihood • Bayesian inference
orange: Bahama Archipelago green: Greater Antilles yellow: Lesser Antilles pink: South America blue: U.S.
H. tenuis
H. cardini
H. convexanotatus
Our proposed biogeography of Heterotermes species in the Caribbean Basin:
Evans et al. 2013. Biology of invasive termites: a worldwide review. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 58:455–474.
Equator
Tropic of Cancer
Tropic of Capricorn
Heterotermes spp. & Reticulitermes spp.
Heterotermes & Reticulitermes species distributions: native ranges (colored areas) and invasive locations (symbols). Stripes represent overlapping native distributions.
Symbols with black center indicate likely to have been eradicated at location.
Eaton et al. (2016) revealed a much more complex distribution of three Heterotermes species in the Caribbean Basin.
= H. cardini (Eaton et al. 2016)
Caribaea colleagues, Please help me monitor the arrival and inevitable spread of invasive Coptotermes spp. so interventions can be employed. Likewise, we need to more information on invasive Heterotermes spp. Please send photos, samples for identification. Contact: Prof. Susan Jones at [email protected] Mailing address: The Ohio State University Department of Entomology Rothenbuhler Research Lab 2501 Carmack Rd. Columbus, OH 43210-1065
Acknowledgments
• Olimpia and Hue Ferguson • Zachary Griebenow • Nicky Gallagher • Kyle Jordan • Giancarlo Lopez Martinez • Juan and Jacqueline Anguillo • U.S. Park Service • USDA Forest Service • Puerto Rican Pest Control Association • Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
Thank you!