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Anne-geneviève Bagnères - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Subterranean Termites (Rhinotermitidae)
2019Co-Authors: Anne-geneviève Bagnères, Edward VargoAbstract:Phylogeny and classification The worldwide family Rhinotermitidae, or subterranean termites, comprises 15 genera and more than 300 species. They occupy an intermediate position between the so-called "lower" and "higher" termites and so are often referred to as "intermediate" termites (1). The Rhinotermitidae appears to be paraphyletic, with most researchers placing the clade with Coptotermes and Heterotermes as a sister group to the Termitidae. Some researchers regard the Serritermitidae as paraphyletic within the Rhinotermitidae-Termitidae clade, while others place it as a basal group of Rhinotermitidae, near other basal groups such as Rhinotermes, Prorhinotermes, and Schedorhinotermes. Other researchers feel that Serritermitidae lies at the crossroads of worker caste evolution in termites, between the lower termites and the Rhinotermitidae+Termitidae clade. The most basal rhinotermitid taxa, such as Rhinotermes, diverged from the other lower termites less than 100 MA ago. The latest literature reviews indicate that the well-known, more derived genera Reticulitermes and Coptotermes+Heterotermes consistently form two distinct clades in a monophyletic branch within the family (2). These three genera account for more than half the species in Rhinotermitidae (184 of 305) and are the best studied within the family. The native ranges of these three genera (Reticulitermes, Coptotermes and Heterotermes) are all broad but fairly distinct. Coptotermes and Heterotermes are largely pantropical, although Heterotermes does not occur in Africa. Coptotermes is absent from the Nearctic and Palearctic regions. Reticulitermes naturally occurs exclusively within temperate areas. The Coptotermes+Heterotermes clade and Reticulitermes separated about 60 MA, according to various researchers. However, based on historical biogeography, modern Reticulitermes species resulted from cladogenesis and are highly taxonomically distinct. More ancient fossils of the different genera have been found in Europe, and they geologically date back to around 38 MYA. In a recent molecular phylogeny for Coptotermes, created using the complete mitochondrial genome, the genus is composed of numerous poorly supported branches. This result is partly due to the high level of synonymy in the present nomenclature and does not help clearly differentiate the species. However, speciation patterns were relatively clear in Australia, where this clade is the best defined. Consequently, this genus should be revised to deal with the high levels of synonymy in some locations (3).
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Historical biogeography of Reticulitermes termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) inferred from analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear loci
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 2015Co-Authors: Franck Dedeine, Anne-geneviève Bagnères, Kenji Matsuura, Barbara Mantovani, Simon Dupont, Sylvain Guyot, Changlu Wang, Behzad Habibpour, Andrea LuchettiAbstract:Termites of the genus Reticulitermes are ecologically and economically important wood-feeding social insects that are widespread in the Holarctic region. Despite their importance, no study has yet attempted to reconstruct a global time-scaled phylogeny of Reticulitermes termites. In this study, we sequenced mitochondrial (2096 bp) and nuclear (829 bp) loci from 61 Reticulitermes specimens, collected across the genus’ entire range, and one specimen of Coptotermes formosanus, which served as an outgroup. Bayesian and Maximum likelihood analyses conducted on the mitochondrial and nuclear sequences support the existence of four main lineages that span four global geographical regions: North America (NA lineage), western Europe (WE lineage), a region including eastern Europe and western Asia (EA +WA lineage), and eastern Asia (EA lineage). The mitochondrial data allowed us to clarify the phylogenetic relationships among these lineages. They were also used to infer a chronogram that was time scaled based on age estimates for termite fossils (including the oldest Reticulitermes fossils, which date back to the late Eocene–early Oligocene). Our results support the hypothesis that the extant Reticulitermes lineage first differentiated in North America. The first divergence event in the ancestral lineage of Reticulitermes occurred in the early Miocene and separated the Nearctic lineages (i.e., the NA lineages) from the Palearctic lineages (i.e., WE, EE + WA, and EA lineages). Our analyses revealed that the main lineages of Reticulitermes diversified because of vicariance and migration events, which were probably induced by major paleogeographic and paleoclimatic changes that occurred during the Cenozoic era. This is the first global and comprehensive phylogenetic study of Reticulitermes termites, and it provides a crucial foundation for studying the evolution of phenotypic and life-history traits in Reticulitermes. For instance, the phylogeny we obtained suggested that ‘asexual queen succession’, a unique reproductive system, independently evolved at least three times during the diversification of the genus.
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Colony breeding structure of the invasive termite Reticulitermes urbis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).
Journal of economic entomology, 2013Co-Authors: Elfie Perdereau, Alessandro Velona, Andrea Luchetti, Barbara Mantovani, Simon Dupont, Marjorie Labedan, Anne-geneviève BagnèresAbstract:Invasive species cause severe environmental and economic problems. The invasive success of social insects often appears to be related to their ability to adjust their social organization to new environments. To gain a better understanding of the biology of invasive termites, this study investigated the social organization of the subterranean termite, Reticulitermes urbis, analyzing the breeding structure and the number of reproductives within colonies from three introduced populations. By using eight microsatellite loci to determine the genetic structure, it was found that all the colonies from the three populations were headed by both primary reproductives (kings and queens) and secondary reproductives (neotenics) to form extended-family colonies. R. urbis appears to be the only Reticulitermes species with a social organization based solely on extended-families in both native and introduced populations, suggesting that there is no change in their social organization on introduction. F-statistics indicated that there were few neotenics within the colonies from urban areas, which did not agree with results from previous studies and field observations. This suggests that although several neotenics may be produced, only few become active reproductives. The results also imply that the invasive success of R. urbis may be based on different reproductive strategies in urban and semiurbanized areas. The factors influencing an individual to differentiate into a neotenic in Reticulitermes species are discussed.
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Colony breeding structure of the invasive termite Reticulitermes urbis
Journal of Economic Entomology, 2013Co-Authors: Elfie Perdereau, Alessandro Velona, Andrea Luchetti, Barbara Mantovani, Simon Dupont, Marjorie Labedan, Anne-geneviève BagnèresAbstract:Invasive species cause severe environmental and economic problems. The invasive success of social insects often appears to be related to their ability to adjust their social organization to new environments. To gain a better understanding of the biology of invasive termites, this study investigated the social organization of the subterranean termite, Reticulitermes urbis, analyzing the breeding structure and the number of reproductives within colonies from three introduced populations. By using eight microsatellite loci to determine the genetic structure, it was found that all the colonies from the three populations were headed by both primary reproductives (kings and queens) and secondary reproductives (neotenics) to form extended-family colonies. R. urbis appears to be the only Reticulitermes species with a social organization based solely on extended-families in both native and introduced populations, suggesting that there is no change in their social organization on introduction. F-statistics indicated that there were few neotenics within the colonies from urban areas, which did not agree with results from previous studies and Þeld observations. This suggests that although several neotenics may be produced, only few become active reproductives. The results also imply that the invasive success of R. urbis may be based on different reproductive strategies in urban and semiurbanized areas. The factors inßuencing an individual to differentiate into a neotenic in Reticulitermes species are discussed
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Distribution and Natural Habitat of the Invasive Termite species Reticulitermes urbis in the Balkans (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)
Entomologia Generalis, 2013Co-Authors: Dejan Kulijer, Simon Dupont, Anne-geneviève BagnèresAbstract:Subterranean termites of the genus Reticulitermes are the most abundant termites in Europe. They play an important role in natural forest ecosystems but they are also significant pests that feed on wooden structures and buildings. Reticulitermes urbis Bagnères et al 2003, reported as invasive in West Europe, is a recently described species that has been found over the last few years in France, Italy, Greece and Croatia. Greece and Croatia seem to be closer to the origin of the species. This is the first report of the occurrence of R urbis in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro. The species was identified using nuclear DNA ITS2 sequences and morphological characteristics. The Dalmatian coast from Croatia to Montenegro is a potential natural habitat for the species
Brian T. Forschler - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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a new record of Reticulitermes kanmonensis takematsu 1999 isoptera rhinotermitidae from korea
Journal of Asia-pacific Entomology, 2015Co-Authors: Wonhoon Lee, Brian T. Forschler, Deuksoo Choi, Namhee Kim, Jung Min Han, Suhyun Park, Sungjin Lee, Min Seok Seo, Wonjoung Hwang, Yoko TakematsuAbstract:In this study, we report the first record of Reticulitermes kanmonensis from Korea verified using soldier morphological characters and haplotypes obtained from two mitochondrial genes. R. kanmonensis Takematsu, 1999 (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) was collected from Pinus densiflora Siebold & Zucc. (Pinaceae) stumps in two provinces, Jeollabuk-do and Chungcheongnam-do, Korea. We compared R. kanmonensis with the more common Reticulitermes speratus kyushuensis Morimoto, 1968 using morphological and molecular characters. In the morphological comparison, R. kanmonensis was distinguished from R. speratus kyushuensis by a significantly higher number of hairs on the pronotum and ratio of the posterior postmentum width and length. In the molecular comparison, R. kanmonensis revealed genetic differences of 5.49% (range 5.20%–5.80%) and 8.11% (range 8.00%–8.80%) from R. speratus kyushuensis using the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and subunit II (COII) gene sequences, respectively.
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0252. A new species of Reticulitermes Holmgren, 1913 (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) from the southeastern United States
2012Co-Authors: Su Yee Lim, Brian T. ForschlerAbstract:Reticulitermes nelsonae, a new species of subterranean termite (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae) is described from Sapelo Island, Georgia, United States of America, with specimens also found in North Carolina and Florida. The adult and soldier castes are described and illustrated to distinguish R. nelsonae from the four described Reticulitermes spp. known to occur in the southeastern United States.
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Reticulitermes nelsonae, a New Species of Subterranean Termite (Rhinotermitidae) from the Southeastern United States
Insects, 2012Co-Authors: Su Yee Lim, Brian T. ForschlerAbstract:Reticulitermes nelsonae, a new species of Rhinotermitidae (Isoptera) is described based on specimens from Sapelo Island, GA, Thomasville, GA, Havelock, NC, and Branford, FL. Adult (alate) and soldier forms are described. Diagnostic characters are provided and incorporated into a supplemental couplet of a dichotomous key to the known species of Reticulitermes found in Georgia, USA.
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A Nondichotomous Key to Protist Species Identification of Reticulitermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)
Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 2006Co-Authors: J. L. Lewis, Brian T. ForschlerAbstract:Abstract A key was developed using morphological and behavioral characters to identify nine genera and 13 species of protists found in the hindgut of three Reticulitermes species— Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks), and Reticulitermes hageni Banks—by using the online IDnature guides by Discover Life. There are seven characters and 13 taxa, each attached to species descriptions, digital stills, or movies to aid in protist species identification. We chose characters for protist species identification that were easy to observe with live samples and a light microscope at 400× magnification. All 11 protists from R. flavipes and nine each in R. virginicus and R. hageni were recognized using original and revised species descriptions. This was the first report of the protist genera Trichomitus from both R. virginicus and R. hageni.
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Protist Communities from Four Castes and Three Species of Reticulitermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)
Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 2004Co-Authors: J. L. Lewis, Brian T. ForschlerAbstract:Abstract Previous studies indicate subterranean termite protist communities are qualitatively similar within termite species but differ in relative species abundance between castes. We investigated protist communities from four castes of Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks), and Reticulitermes hageni Banks. We used a standardized counting technique and found termite workers and early stage nymphs had the largest population of protists, followed by soldiers and alates. R. flavipes workers averaged 59,000 flagellates compared with 21,000 in R. hageni and 14,000 in R. virginicus. We recorded two new genera, Microjoenia Grassi and Monocercomonas Grassi, from R. virginicus. We identified eight protist species from R. hageni, whereas only four have been previously noted. This is the first report of Dinenympha fimbriata Kirby, Holomastigotes elongatum Grassi, Monocercomonas Grassi, Pyrsonympha minor Powell, Spirotrichonympha flagellata (Grassi), and Trichonympha agilis Leidy from R...
Barbara Mantovani - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Historical biogeography of Reticulitermes termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) inferred from analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear loci
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 2015Co-Authors: Franck Dedeine, Anne-geneviève Bagnères, Kenji Matsuura, Barbara Mantovani, Simon Dupont, Sylvain Guyot, Changlu Wang, Behzad Habibpour, Andrea LuchettiAbstract:Termites of the genus Reticulitermes are ecologically and economically important wood-feeding social insects that are widespread in the Holarctic region. Despite their importance, no study has yet attempted to reconstruct a global time-scaled phylogeny of Reticulitermes termites. In this study, we sequenced mitochondrial (2096 bp) and nuclear (829 bp) loci from 61 Reticulitermes specimens, collected across the genus’ entire range, and one specimen of Coptotermes formosanus, which served as an outgroup. Bayesian and Maximum likelihood analyses conducted on the mitochondrial and nuclear sequences support the existence of four main lineages that span four global geographical regions: North America (NA lineage), western Europe (WE lineage), a region including eastern Europe and western Asia (EA +WA lineage), and eastern Asia (EA lineage). The mitochondrial data allowed us to clarify the phylogenetic relationships among these lineages. They were also used to infer a chronogram that was time scaled based on age estimates for termite fossils (including the oldest Reticulitermes fossils, which date back to the late Eocene–early Oligocene). Our results support the hypothesis that the extant Reticulitermes lineage first differentiated in North America. The first divergence event in the ancestral lineage of Reticulitermes occurred in the early Miocene and separated the Nearctic lineages (i.e., the NA lineages) from the Palearctic lineages (i.e., WE, EE + WA, and EA lineages). Our analyses revealed that the main lineages of Reticulitermes diversified because of vicariance and migration events, which were probably induced by major paleogeographic and paleoclimatic changes that occurred during the Cenozoic era. This is the first global and comprehensive phylogenetic study of Reticulitermes termites, and it provides a crucial foundation for studying the evolution of phenotypic and life-history traits in Reticulitermes. For instance, the phylogeny we obtained suggested that ‘asexual queen succession’, a unique reproductive system, independently evolved at least three times during the diversification of the genus.
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Colony breeding structure of the invasive termite Reticulitermes urbis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).
Journal of economic entomology, 2013Co-Authors: Elfie Perdereau, Alessandro Velona, Andrea Luchetti, Barbara Mantovani, Simon Dupont, Marjorie Labedan, Anne-geneviève BagnèresAbstract:Invasive species cause severe environmental and economic problems. The invasive success of social insects often appears to be related to their ability to adjust their social organization to new environments. To gain a better understanding of the biology of invasive termites, this study investigated the social organization of the subterranean termite, Reticulitermes urbis, analyzing the breeding structure and the number of reproductives within colonies from three introduced populations. By using eight microsatellite loci to determine the genetic structure, it was found that all the colonies from the three populations were headed by both primary reproductives (kings and queens) and secondary reproductives (neotenics) to form extended-family colonies. R. urbis appears to be the only Reticulitermes species with a social organization based solely on extended-families in both native and introduced populations, suggesting that there is no change in their social organization on introduction. F-statistics indicated that there were few neotenics within the colonies from urban areas, which did not agree with results from previous studies and field observations. This suggests that although several neotenics may be produced, only few become active reproductives. The results also imply that the invasive success of R. urbis may be based on different reproductive strategies in urban and semiurbanized areas. The factors influencing an individual to differentiate into a neotenic in Reticulitermes species are discussed.
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Colony breeding structure of the invasive termite Reticulitermes urbis
Journal of Economic Entomology, 2013Co-Authors: Elfie Perdereau, Alessandro Velona, Andrea Luchetti, Barbara Mantovani, Simon Dupont, Marjorie Labedan, Anne-geneviève BagnèresAbstract:Invasive species cause severe environmental and economic problems. The invasive success of social insects often appears to be related to their ability to adjust their social organization to new environments. To gain a better understanding of the biology of invasive termites, this study investigated the social organization of the subterranean termite, Reticulitermes urbis, analyzing the breeding structure and the number of reproductives within colonies from three introduced populations. By using eight microsatellite loci to determine the genetic structure, it was found that all the colonies from the three populations were headed by both primary reproductives (kings and queens) and secondary reproductives (neotenics) to form extended-family colonies. R. urbis appears to be the only Reticulitermes species with a social organization based solely on extended-families in both native and introduced populations, suggesting that there is no change in their social organization on introduction. F-statistics indicated that there were few neotenics within the colonies from urban areas, which did not agree with results from previous studies and Þeld observations. This suggests that although several neotenics may be produced, only few become active reproductives. The results also imply that the invasive success of R. urbis may be based on different reproductive strategies in urban and semiurbanized areas. The factors inßuencing an individual to differentiate into a neotenic in Reticulitermes species are discussed
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Origin and evolution of the Italian subterranean termite Reticulitermes lucifugus (Blattodea, Termitoidae, Rhinotermitidae).
Bulletin of entomological research, 2013Co-Authors: Andrea Luchetti, V. Scicchitano, Barbara MantovaniAbstract:The Holarctic genus Reticulitermes shows seven species within the Mediterranean Basin. While phylogeny and systematics at continental level has been deeply investigated, a few studies concentrated on local ranges. To gain a clearer picture of the diversity and evolution of the Italian species Reticulitermes lucifugus, we analyzed the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase II (COII) gene marker in newly collected colonies across the Peninsula. Data were gathered with all R. lucifugus sequences available from previous studies; COII sequences of the closely related Iberian taxa were also added to the data set. Maximum-likelihood, median-joining and statistical parsimony network elaborations on the resulting 119 colonies all agreed in indicating that: (i) the Sardo-Corsican subspecies R. lucifugus corsicus, strictly related to Southern Italian populations (including the Sicilian ones), is phylogenetically closer to the Iberian Reticulitermes grassei; and (ii) R. lucifugus lucifugus peninsular populations are structured into three clusters. The phylogenetic relationships and the biogeography of extant taxa suggest a scenario in which R. lucifugus ancestors colonized the Italian region through the Sardo-Corsican microplate during its Oligocene-Miocene anticlockwise rotation. Moreover, well after the colonization took place, northward range expansion might have produced the presently observed genetic diversity, as inferred from haplotype and nucleotide diversity estimates. On the whole, this study highlights the evolution of Italian Reticulitermes taxa and supports the importance of a wide taxon sampling especially when dealing with organisms easily dispersed by human activities.
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Starting from Crete, a phylogenetic re-analysis of the genus Reticulitermes in the Mediterranean area.
Molecular phylogenetics and evolution, 2010Co-Authors: Alessandro Velona, Silvia Ghesini, Andrea Luchetti, Mario Marini, Barbara MantovaniAbstract:Abstract Owing to its peculiar paleogeographic history, Crete island is one of the most interesting biodiversity hotspots within the Aegean area. We here analyze the lineage diversity of Cretan Reticulitermes termites obtained on mitochondrial genes (COII and 16S) and nuclear Inter-SINE loci. The evolutionary pattern here detected shows a high correlation between clade divergence and geological events of the specific geographical area. The new haplotypes identified in Crete converge with those of specimens collected in northern Turkey, Thrace and Macedonia/Calcydia: this allows to suggest a unique genetic lineage for the Aegean area. A taxonomic and phylogenetic re-analysis of the Reticulitermes genus in Mediterranean Europe agrees with the species rank suggested for Reticulitermes balkanensis and Reticulitermes urbis, as well as for Reticulitermes banyulensis and Reticulitermes grassei from France and the Iberian peninsula. A level of divergence compatible with a specific rank of differentiation is scored also among the three Reticulitermes lucifugus subspecies from Italy and Corse, with the Sardo-Corsican entity basal to the other taxa. In the eastern area, the “Aegean” entity, including the Cretan lineages, results the most apical clade while R. urbis, distributed along the East Adriatic shores and Peloponnesus, lays as the most basal one.
Jean-luc Clement - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Origin of a new Reticulitermes termite (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae) inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA data.
Molecular phylogenetics and evolution, 2004Co-Authors: Paolo Uva, Alexandre Quintana, Jean-luc Clement, James W. Austin, Josiane Aubert, V. Zaffagnini, Anne-geneviève BagnèresAbstract:The Holoarctic termite genus Reticulitermes is widely distributed in Europe. A new Reticulitermes species, R. sp. nov, was recently found in France and Italy. Its phylogenetic position was investigated using a 743-bp fragment of mitochondrial 16S rRNA-ND1 genes and 382-bp of the nuclear ITS2 region. Phylogenies for these sequences were estimated by neighbor-joining, maximum-parsimony and maximum-likelihood analysis. The results strongly supported a relationship between R. sp. nov. and the termite species from the eastern Mediterranean area including Reticulitermes balkanensis from the Balkans, Reticulitermes lucifugus from Turkey and Reticulitermes clypeatus from Israel. The hypothesis of a relationship between R. sp. nov. and the Japanese Reticulitermes speratus was rejected by parametric bootstrap. The current distribution of R. sp. nov. could be linked to postglacial colonization routes between Balkan refuge and northern regions.
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Interspecific variation in terpenoid composition of defensive secretions of European Reticulitermes termites
Journal of Chemical Ecology, 2003Co-Authors: Alexandre Quintana, Anne-geneviève Bagnères, Judith Reinhard, Robert Faure, Georges Massiot, Jean-luc ClementAbstract:Sixteen terpene compounds were isolated from the soldier defensive secretions of seven European termite taxa of the genus Reticulitermes (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae). We describe species-specific mixtures of monoterpenes (alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, limonene), sesquiterpenes (germacrene C, germacrene A, germacrene B, beta-selinene, delta-selinene, gamma-selinene, (E)-beta-farnesene, gamma-cadinene, nerolidol), diterpenes (geranyl linalool, geranyl geraniol, geranyl geranial), and one sesterterpene (geranyl farnesol). Compounds were purified by HPLC and their structures determined by means of MS spectrometry, or 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Comparison of two different analytical approaches, GC-MS and HPLC with subsequent NMR spectroscopy, revealed Cope rearrangement of germacrene A, germacrene B, and germacrene C to the respective beta-elemene, gamma-elemene, and delta-elemene under GC conditions, thus demonstrating the limits for this analytical approach. The species-specific compound composition provides insight into taxonomy and species origin of European Reticulitermes. The biological significance of the species-specific composition of Reticulitermes defensive secretions is briefly discussed.
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interspecific variation in terpenoid composition of defensive secretions of european Reticulitermes termites
Journal of Chemical Ecology, 2003Co-Authors: Alexandre Quintana, Anne-geneviève Bagnères, Judith Reinhard, Robert Faure, Georges Massiot, Paolo Uva, Jean-luc ClementAbstract:Sixteen terpene compounds were isolated from the soldier defensive secretions of seven European termite taxa of the genus Reticulitermes (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae). We describe species-specific mixtures of monoterpenes (α-pinene, β-pinene, limonene), sesquiterpenes (germacrene C, germacrene A, germacrene B, β-selinene, δ-selinene, γ-selinene, (E)-β-farnesene, γ-cadinene, nerolidol), diterpenes (geranyl linalool, geranyl geraniol, geranyl geranial), and one sesterterpene (geranyl farnesol). Compounds were purified by HPLC and their structures determined by means of MS spectrometry, or 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Comparison of two different analytical approaches, GC-MS and HPLC with subsequent NMR spectroscopy, revealed Cope rearrangement of germacrene A, germacrene B, and germacrene C to the respective β-elemene, γ-elemene, and δ-elemene under GC conditions, thus demonstrating the limits for this analytical approach. The species-specific compound composition provides insight into taxonomy and species origin of European Reticulitermes. The biological significance of the species-specific composition of Reticulitermes defensive secretions is briefly discussed.
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Chemical signals inducing attraction and alarm in European Reticulitermes termites (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae)
Sociobiology, 2003Co-Authors: Judith Reinhard, Alexandre Quintana, Leam Sreng, Jean-luc ClementAbstract:Chemical signals causing attraction and alarm in four European subterranean termite species of the genus Reticulitermes (R. santonensis, R. lucifugus, R. grassei, R. banyulensis) were investigated. Natural extracts and isolated compounds from workers and soldiers were offered as odor source in a petri dish to groups of termites, and their behavioral reaction was registered. Pentane extracts of whole workers were attractive, and in three of the species induced a slight alarm reaction. The extracts contained 3-octanone, 3-octanol, and six fatty acids (C14-C18), presumably originating from the cuticle. Species-specific differences were quantitative. When tested individually or as synthetic mixture the worker compounds were significantly less effective than the natural extract. Only the ketone, the alcohol, and one of the fatty acids had any effect, functioning predominantly as attractants. Reticulitermes soldiers possess a frontal gland, which is employed for chemical defense of the colony, and contains species-specific mixtures of terpenes: monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpene alcohols, and a sesterterpene. All compounds of the frontal gland secretions proved to be highly attractive to the respective species, acting significantly stronger than worker compounds. The minor volatile compounds, the mono- and sesquiterpenes, function as alarm pheromone in Reticulitermes: they were the most attractive components, and also the ones inducing an intense alarm reaction in both workers and soldiers.
Andrea Luchetti - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Historical biogeography of Reticulitermes termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) inferred from analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear loci
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 2015Co-Authors: Franck Dedeine, Anne-geneviève Bagnères, Kenji Matsuura, Barbara Mantovani, Simon Dupont, Sylvain Guyot, Changlu Wang, Behzad Habibpour, Andrea LuchettiAbstract:Termites of the genus Reticulitermes are ecologically and economically important wood-feeding social insects that are widespread in the Holarctic region. Despite their importance, no study has yet attempted to reconstruct a global time-scaled phylogeny of Reticulitermes termites. In this study, we sequenced mitochondrial (2096 bp) and nuclear (829 bp) loci from 61 Reticulitermes specimens, collected across the genus’ entire range, and one specimen of Coptotermes formosanus, which served as an outgroup. Bayesian and Maximum likelihood analyses conducted on the mitochondrial and nuclear sequences support the existence of four main lineages that span four global geographical regions: North America (NA lineage), western Europe (WE lineage), a region including eastern Europe and western Asia (EA +WA lineage), and eastern Asia (EA lineage). The mitochondrial data allowed us to clarify the phylogenetic relationships among these lineages. They were also used to infer a chronogram that was time scaled based on age estimates for termite fossils (including the oldest Reticulitermes fossils, which date back to the late Eocene–early Oligocene). Our results support the hypothesis that the extant Reticulitermes lineage first differentiated in North America. The first divergence event in the ancestral lineage of Reticulitermes occurred in the early Miocene and separated the Nearctic lineages (i.e., the NA lineages) from the Palearctic lineages (i.e., WE, EE + WA, and EA lineages). Our analyses revealed that the main lineages of Reticulitermes diversified because of vicariance and migration events, which were probably induced by major paleogeographic and paleoclimatic changes that occurred during the Cenozoic era. This is the first global and comprehensive phylogenetic study of Reticulitermes termites, and it provides a crucial foundation for studying the evolution of phenotypic and life-history traits in Reticulitermes. For instance, the phylogeny we obtained suggested that ‘asexual queen succession’, a unique reproductive system, independently evolved at least three times during the diversification of the genus.
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Colony breeding structure of the invasive termite Reticulitermes urbis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).
Journal of economic entomology, 2013Co-Authors: Elfie Perdereau, Alessandro Velona, Andrea Luchetti, Barbara Mantovani, Simon Dupont, Marjorie Labedan, Anne-geneviève BagnèresAbstract:Invasive species cause severe environmental and economic problems. The invasive success of social insects often appears to be related to their ability to adjust their social organization to new environments. To gain a better understanding of the biology of invasive termites, this study investigated the social organization of the subterranean termite, Reticulitermes urbis, analyzing the breeding structure and the number of reproductives within colonies from three introduced populations. By using eight microsatellite loci to determine the genetic structure, it was found that all the colonies from the three populations were headed by both primary reproductives (kings and queens) and secondary reproductives (neotenics) to form extended-family colonies. R. urbis appears to be the only Reticulitermes species with a social organization based solely on extended-families in both native and introduced populations, suggesting that there is no change in their social organization on introduction. F-statistics indicated that there were few neotenics within the colonies from urban areas, which did not agree with results from previous studies and field observations. This suggests that although several neotenics may be produced, only few become active reproductives. The results also imply that the invasive success of R. urbis may be based on different reproductive strategies in urban and semiurbanized areas. The factors influencing an individual to differentiate into a neotenic in Reticulitermes species are discussed.
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Colony breeding structure of the invasive termite Reticulitermes urbis
Journal of Economic Entomology, 2013Co-Authors: Elfie Perdereau, Alessandro Velona, Andrea Luchetti, Barbara Mantovani, Simon Dupont, Marjorie Labedan, Anne-geneviève BagnèresAbstract:Invasive species cause severe environmental and economic problems. The invasive success of social insects often appears to be related to their ability to adjust their social organization to new environments. To gain a better understanding of the biology of invasive termites, this study investigated the social organization of the subterranean termite, Reticulitermes urbis, analyzing the breeding structure and the number of reproductives within colonies from three introduced populations. By using eight microsatellite loci to determine the genetic structure, it was found that all the colonies from the three populations were headed by both primary reproductives (kings and queens) and secondary reproductives (neotenics) to form extended-family colonies. R. urbis appears to be the only Reticulitermes species with a social organization based solely on extended-families in both native and introduced populations, suggesting that there is no change in their social organization on introduction. F-statistics indicated that there were few neotenics within the colonies from urban areas, which did not agree with results from previous studies and Þeld observations. This suggests that although several neotenics may be produced, only few become active reproductives. The results also imply that the invasive success of R. urbis may be based on different reproductive strategies in urban and semiurbanized areas. The factors inßuencing an individual to differentiate into a neotenic in Reticulitermes species are discussed
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Origin and evolution of the Italian subterranean termite Reticulitermes lucifugus (Blattodea, Termitoidae, Rhinotermitidae).
Bulletin of entomological research, 2013Co-Authors: Andrea Luchetti, V. Scicchitano, Barbara MantovaniAbstract:The Holarctic genus Reticulitermes shows seven species within the Mediterranean Basin. While phylogeny and systematics at continental level has been deeply investigated, a few studies concentrated on local ranges. To gain a clearer picture of the diversity and evolution of the Italian species Reticulitermes lucifugus, we analyzed the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase II (COII) gene marker in newly collected colonies across the Peninsula. Data were gathered with all R. lucifugus sequences available from previous studies; COII sequences of the closely related Iberian taxa were also added to the data set. Maximum-likelihood, median-joining and statistical parsimony network elaborations on the resulting 119 colonies all agreed in indicating that: (i) the Sardo-Corsican subspecies R. lucifugus corsicus, strictly related to Southern Italian populations (including the Sicilian ones), is phylogenetically closer to the Iberian Reticulitermes grassei; and (ii) R. lucifugus lucifugus peninsular populations are structured into three clusters. The phylogenetic relationships and the biogeography of extant taxa suggest a scenario in which R. lucifugus ancestors colonized the Italian region through the Sardo-Corsican microplate during its Oligocene-Miocene anticlockwise rotation. Moreover, well after the colonization took place, northward range expansion might have produced the presently observed genetic diversity, as inferred from haplotype and nucleotide diversity estimates. On the whole, this study highlights the evolution of Italian Reticulitermes taxa and supports the importance of a wide taxon sampling especially when dealing with organisms easily dispersed by human activities.
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Starting from Crete, a phylogenetic re-analysis of the genus Reticulitermes in the Mediterranean area.
Molecular phylogenetics and evolution, 2010Co-Authors: Alessandro Velona, Silvia Ghesini, Andrea Luchetti, Mario Marini, Barbara MantovaniAbstract:Abstract Owing to its peculiar paleogeographic history, Crete island is one of the most interesting biodiversity hotspots within the Aegean area. We here analyze the lineage diversity of Cretan Reticulitermes termites obtained on mitochondrial genes (COII and 16S) and nuclear Inter-SINE loci. The evolutionary pattern here detected shows a high correlation between clade divergence and geological events of the specific geographical area. The new haplotypes identified in Crete converge with those of specimens collected in northern Turkey, Thrace and Macedonia/Calcydia: this allows to suggest a unique genetic lineage for the Aegean area. A taxonomic and phylogenetic re-analysis of the Reticulitermes genus in Mediterranean Europe agrees with the species rank suggested for Reticulitermes balkanensis and Reticulitermes urbis, as well as for Reticulitermes banyulensis and Reticulitermes grassei from France and the Iberian peninsula. A level of divergence compatible with a specific rank of differentiation is scored also among the three Reticulitermes lucifugus subspecies from Italy and Corse, with the Sardo-Corsican entity basal to the other taxa. In the eastern area, the “Aegean” entity, including the Cretan lineages, results the most apical clade while R. urbis, distributed along the East Adriatic shores and Peloponnesus, lays as the most basal one.
