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Hernández-Teixidor D, Pérez-Morín A, Pestano J, Mora D, Fajardo S. The destructive subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) can colonize arid territories. PeerJ 2024; 12:e16936. [PMID: 38435985 PMCID: PMC10909367 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Reticulitermes flavipes, one of the most destructive subterranean termite species, has been detected for the first time in an arid territory: Lanzarote (Canary Islands, Spain). This invasive species was introduced into several countries but never such a dry region. Although there are places with presence of this termite at similar or even higher temperatures, none has annual rainfall (10.1 mm) as low as Lanzarote. On this island it is present in semi-desert, near an affected urban area. Distribution, genetic, climate and host-plant data are evaluated to track and understand its invasion process in the archipelago.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Hernández-Teixidor
- Island Ecology and Evolution Research Group, Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología (IPNA-CSIC), La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Aura Pérez-Morín
- Island Ecology and Evolution Research Group, Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología (IPNA-CSIC), La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Juan Pestano
- Tragsatec, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | | | - Silvia Fajardo
- Servicio de Biodiversidad, Consejería de Transición Ecológica, Lucha Contra el Cambio Climático y Planificación Territorial, Gobierno de Canarias, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
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Pailler L, Matte A, Groseiller A, Eyer PA, Ruhland F, Lucas C. High Exploration Behavior of Termite Propagules Can Enhance Invasiveness. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.840105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Social life is usually associated with enhanced propagule pressure, which increases the chance of introducing several individuals during a single introduction event. Social insects are therefore among the most successful invasive species, benefiting from rapid establishment and increased foundation success in new habitats. In termites, propagule pressure may also be increased by the development of reproductive individuals from a small group of foraging workers. This suggests that enhanced exploration activity may increase propagule pressure through an elevated chance of transporting isolated groups of foragers. Here, we analyzed the exploration behavior of three termite species of the Reticulitermes genus, comparing the invasive species Reticulitermes flavipes (testing both native and introduced populations) to the native species Reticulitermes grassei and Reticulitermes lucifugus. Different features representative of the exploration capacity were measured during 48 h, including: the number of tunnels, the length of tunnels, the number of foragers, and the interindividual distance of foragers in a straight line or through tunnels. Our results show that compared to the native Reticulitermes species, R. flavipes foragers from both populations dug more tunnels with a longer total length, and individuals were more spatially dispersed and covered a larger exploration zone. These findings suggest that the enhanced exploration ability of R. flavipes may have played a role in its invasion success, by increasing its propagule pressure through a higher chance of human-mediated transport. In addition, the absence of differences between the native and introduced populations of R. flavipes suggests that the exploration behaviors facilitating the worldwide invasion of this species originated in its native range.
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Proof-of-Principle That Cellular Automata Can Be Used to Predict Infestation Risk by Reticulitermes grassei (Blattodea: Isoptera). FORESTS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/f13020237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Over the past few decades, species distribution modelling has been increasingly used to monitor invasive species. Studies herein propose to use Cellular Automata (CA), not only to model the distribution of a potentially invasive species but also to infer the potential of the method in risk prediction of Reticulitermes grassei infestation. The test area was mainland Portugal, for which an available presence-only dataset was used. This is a typical dataset type, resulting from either distribution studies or infestation reports. Subterranean termite urban distributions in Portugal from 1970 to 2001 were simulated, and the results were compared with known records from both 2001 (the publication date of the distribution models for R. grassei in Portugal) and 2020. The reported model was able to predict the widespread presence of R. grassei, showing its potential as a viable prediction tool for R. grassei infestation risk in wooden structures, providing the collection of appropriate variables. Such a robust simulation tool can prove to be highly valuable in the decision-making process concerning pest management.
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Reed EMX, Serr ME, Maurer AS, Burford Reiskind MO. Gridlock and beltways: the genetic context of urban invasions. Oecologia 2020; 192:615-628. [PMID: 32056021 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-020-04614-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The rapid expansion of urban land across the globe presents new and numerous opportunities for invasive species to spread and flourish. Ecologists historically rejected urban ecosystems as important environments for ecology and evolution research but are beginning to recognize the importance of these systems in shaping the biology of invasion. Urbanization can aid the introduction, establishment, and spread of invaders, and these processes have substantial consequences on native species and ecosystems. Therefore, it is valuable to understand how urban areas influence populations at all stages in the invasion process. Population genetic tools are essential to explore the driving forces of invasive species dispersal, connectivity, and adaptation within cities. In this review, we synthesize current research about the influence of urban landscapes on invasion genetics dynamics. We conclude that urban areas are not only points of entry for many invasive species, they also facilitate population establishment, are pools for genetic diversity, and provide corridors for further spread both within and out of cities. We recommend the continued use of genetic studies to inform invasive species management and to understand the underlying ecological and evolutionary processes governing successful invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M X Reed
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA.
| | - M E Serr
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - A S Maurer
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - M O Burford Reiskind
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
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Perdereau E, Baudouin G, Bankhead-Dronnet S, Chevalier Z, Zimmermann M, Dupont S, Dedeine F, Bagnères AG. Invasion Dynamics of A Termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, at Different Spatial Scales in France. INSECTS 2019; 10:insects10010030. [PMID: 30650655 PMCID: PMC6358928 DOI: 10.3390/insects10010030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Termites are social insects that can also be major pests. A well-known problem species is the subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes. It is invasive in France and is thought to have arrived from Louisiana during the 18th century. While the putative source of French populations has been identified, little is known about how the termite spread following its establishment. Here, we examined expansion patterns at different spatial scales in urban areas to clarify how R. flavipes spread in France. Based on our analyses of phylogeography and population genetics, results suggest a scenario of successive introductions into the Charente-Maritime region, on the Atlantic Coast. Two major expansion fronts formed: one that spread toward the northeast and the other toward the southeast. At the regional scale, different spatial and genetic distribution patterns were observed: there was heterogeneity in Île-de-France and aggregation in Centre-Val de Loire. At the local scale, we found that our three focal urban sites each formed a single large colony that contained several secondary reproductives. Our findings represent a second step in efforts to reconstruct termite’s invasion dynamics. They also highlight the role that may have been played by the French railway network in transporting termites over long distances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elfie Perdereau
- IRBI, UMR 7261 CNRS-Université de Tours. Avenue Monge, Parc Grandmont, Tours 37200, France.
| | - Guillaume Baudouin
- IRBI, UMR 7261 CNRS-Université de Tours. Avenue Monge, Parc Grandmont, Tours 37200, France.
| | | | - Zoé Chevalier
- IRBI, UMR 7261 CNRS-Université de Tours. Avenue Monge, Parc Grandmont, Tours 37200, France.
| | - Marie Zimmermann
- IRBI, UMR 7261 CNRS-Université de Tours. Avenue Monge, Parc Grandmont, Tours 37200, France.
| | - Simon Dupont
- IRBI, UMR 7261 CNRS-Université de Tours. Avenue Monge, Parc Grandmont, Tours 37200, France.
| | - Franck Dedeine
- IRBI, UMR 7261 CNRS-Université de Tours. Avenue Monge, Parc Grandmont, Tours 37200, France.
| | - Anne-Geneviève Bagnères
- IRBI, UMR 7261 CNRS-Université de Tours. Avenue Monge, Parc Grandmont, Tours 37200, France.
- CEFE, CNRS, Univ Montpellier, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier 34000, France.
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