Population genetic analyses reveal host association and genetically distinct populations of social parasite Solenopsis daguerrei (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Inquiline ant social parasites exploit other ant species for their reproductive benefit because they do not possess a worker caste. Due to their relative rarity in nature, the biology and natural history of inquilines are largely unknown. Likewise, not much research exists that details the close rel...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2023.1227847/full |
| _version_ | 1797648432309993472 |
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| author | Allyson Dekovich Sean Ryan Sean Ryan Andrew Bouwma Luis Calcaterra Rogerio Silvestre Margaret Staton DeWayne Shoemaker |
| author_facet | Allyson Dekovich Sean Ryan Sean Ryan Andrew Bouwma Luis Calcaterra Rogerio Silvestre Margaret Staton DeWayne Shoemaker |
| author_sort | Allyson Dekovich |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Inquiline ant social parasites exploit other ant species for their reproductive benefit because they do not possess a worker caste. Due to their relative rarity in nature, the biology and natural history of inquilines are largely unknown. Likewise, not much research exists that details the close relationship between inquilines and their host(s), and how each organism influences the genetic structure of the other. Here, we conducted a comparative population genetics study to assess patterns of genetic structure within and among populations of inquiline Solenopsis daguerrei and its known fire ant hosts, which includes invasive Solenopsis invicta. Using nuclear and mitochondrial markers, we show that four genetically distinct groups of S. daguerrei likely exist, each with different degrees of host association. Consistent with previous inferences of the inquiline lifestyle, we find that inbreeding is common in S. daguerrei, presumably a result of intranidal mating and restricted dispersal. Results from this study, specifically host association patterns, may inform future biological control strategies to mitigate invasive S. invicta populations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T15:32:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5969c8144602485aae55e3545514b8c8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-701X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T15:32:04Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj.art-5969c8144602485aae55e3545514b8c82023-10-27T03:18:02ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution2296-701X2023-10-011110.3389/fevo.2023.12278471227847Population genetic analyses reveal host association and genetically distinct populations of social parasite Solenopsis daguerrei (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)Allyson Dekovich0Sean Ryan1Sean Ryan2Andrew Bouwma3Luis Calcaterra4Rogerio Silvestre5Margaret Staton6DeWayne Shoemaker7Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Herbert College of Agriculture, Knoxville, TN, United StatesDepartment of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Herbert College of Agriculture, Knoxville, TN, United StatesExponent, Menlo Park, CA, United StatesDepartment of Integrative Biology, College of Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United StatesFundación Para El Estudio De Especies Invasivas, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaPrograma De Pós-Graduação Em Entomologia E Conservação Da Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal Da Grande Dourados, Dourados, MS, BrazilDepartment of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Herbert College of Agriculture, Knoxville, TN, United StatesDepartment of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Herbert College of Agriculture, Knoxville, TN, United StatesInquiline ant social parasites exploit other ant species for their reproductive benefit because they do not possess a worker caste. Due to their relative rarity in nature, the biology and natural history of inquilines are largely unknown. Likewise, not much research exists that details the close relationship between inquilines and their host(s), and how each organism influences the genetic structure of the other. Here, we conducted a comparative population genetics study to assess patterns of genetic structure within and among populations of inquiline Solenopsis daguerrei and its known fire ant hosts, which includes invasive Solenopsis invicta. Using nuclear and mitochondrial markers, we show that four genetically distinct groups of S. daguerrei likely exist, each with different degrees of host association. Consistent with previous inferences of the inquiline lifestyle, we find that inbreeding is common in S. daguerrei, presumably a result of intranidal mating and restricted dispersal. Results from this study, specifically host association patterns, may inform future biological control strategies to mitigate invasive S. invicta populations.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2023.1227847/fullfire antspopulation structuresocial parasitisminquilinemicrosatellitesmitochondrial DNA |
| spellingShingle | Allyson Dekovich Sean Ryan Sean Ryan Andrew Bouwma Luis Calcaterra Rogerio Silvestre Margaret Staton DeWayne Shoemaker Population genetic analyses reveal host association and genetically distinct populations of social parasite Solenopsis daguerrei (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution fire ants population structure social parasitism inquiline microsatellites mitochondrial DNA |
| title | Population genetic analyses reveal host association and genetically distinct populations of social parasite Solenopsis daguerrei (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) |
| title_full | Population genetic analyses reveal host association and genetically distinct populations of social parasite Solenopsis daguerrei (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) |
| title_fullStr | Population genetic analyses reveal host association and genetically distinct populations of social parasite Solenopsis daguerrei (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Population genetic analyses reveal host association and genetically distinct populations of social parasite Solenopsis daguerrei (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) |
| title_short | Population genetic analyses reveal host association and genetically distinct populations of social parasite Solenopsis daguerrei (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) |
| title_sort | population genetic analyses reveal host association and genetically distinct populations of social parasite solenopsis daguerrei hymenoptera formicidae |
| topic | fire ants population structure social parasitism inquiline microsatellites mitochondrial DNA |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2023.1227847/full |
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