An American termite in Paris: temporal colony dynamics.

Area of Science:

• Urban Ecology
• Insect Ecology
• Population Genetics

Background:

• Termites of the genus Reticulitermes are invasive species prevalent in urban environments.
• Their subterranean nature complicates detection and understanding of long-term colony dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the persistence of Reticulitermes flavipes colonies in Paris over a 15-year period.
• To compare colony delineation using standard population genetics versus Bayesian clustering methods.
• To assess colony boundaries, persistence, and genetic structure over time.

Main Methods:

• Genetic analysis using nine microsatellite loci and one mitochondrial locus.
• Sampling within four defined urban areas over two distinct periods.
• Application of standard population genetic and Bayesian clustering approaches for colony delineation.

Main Results:

• Four of 18 identified Reticulitermes flavipes colonies showed no significant genetic differences between sampling periods, indicating persistence.
• Most colonies maintained their breeding structure, exhibiting traits like fusion (39% mixed-family) and isolation-by-distance.
• Low allelic richness presented challenges in reliably distinguishing colony family types.

Conclusions:

• Reticulitermes flavipes colonies in urban Paris exhibit significant long-term persistence and expansive growth.
• Colony fusion and isolation-by-distance suggest budding dispersal as a survival strategy.
• The persistence and characteristics of these termite colonies present difficulties for conventional, localized pest management.