Abstract
Hybridization between invasive pest species may lead to significant genetic and economic impacts that require close monitoring. The two most invasive and destructive termite species worldwide, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann), have the potential for hybridization in the field. A three-year field survey conducted during the dispersal flight season of Coptotermes in Taiwan identified alates with atypical morphology, which were confirmed as hybrids of the two Coptotermes species using microsatellite and mitochondrial analyses. Out of 27,601 alates collected over three years, 4.4% were confirmed as hybrid alates, and some advanced hybrids (>F1 generations) were identified. The hybrid alates had a dispersal flight season that overlapped with the two parental species 13 out of 15 times. Most of the hybrid alates were females, implying that mating opportunities beyond F1 may primarily be possible through female hybrids. However, the incipient colony growth results from all potential mating combinations suggest that only backcross colonies with hybrid males could sometimes lead to brood development. The observed asymmetrical viability and fertility of hybrid alates may critically reduce the probability of advanced-hybrid colonies being established in the field.
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Supplementary figures, tables, and text can be downloaded from the online article version. Input files for population genetic analyses can be found on Dryad (https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.n2z34tn4g).
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Acknowledgements
We thank Chun-I Chiu for giving advice on data analysis; Wen-Jun Lin, Ren-Hen Liu, Chia-Chien Wu, Mu-Xuan Chen, Hsiang-Chun Liu, and Yi-Ning Chiu (NCHU) for assisting the field works. We thank every citizen scientist who provided termite samples. This study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (MOST 105-2628-B-005-003-MY3, MOST 108-2628-B-005-004, and MOST 109-2628-B-005-007). The authors acknowledge the Genomics Center for Clinical and Biotechnological Applications of National Core Facility for Biopharmaceuticals, Taiwan (NSTC 111-2740-B-A49-001) for sequencing.
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GYC, SYH, YHC and HFL designed the study. GYC and SYH collected the data. GYC, YHC, MDL and HFL interpreted the results. GYC analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript. YHC, MDL, TC and HFL revised the manuscript. HFL acquired funding for the project. All authors read and approved the manuscript.
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Chen, GY., Huang, SY., Lin, MD. et al. Hybrids of two destructive subterranean termites established in the field, revealing a potential for gene flow between species. Heredity (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41437-024-00679-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41437-024-00679-0