Genetic diversity and colony structure of Tapinoma melanocephalum on the islands and mainland of South China.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

Tapinoma melanocephalum is listed as one of the most important invasive pest species in China. Information regarding the patterns of invasion and effects of geographic isolation on the population genetics of this species is largely lacking.

Location

South China.

Methods

To address this problem, we genotyped 39 colonies (two colonies were collapsed due to genetic similarity) using microsatellite markers and mitochondrial DNA sequencing to compare colony genetic structure of T. melanocephalum on the mainland and islands of South China.

Results

An analysis of the colony genotypes showed that the genetic diversity of the mainland population was slightly higher than that of the island populations but not significantly so. However, the observed hete

SUBMITTER: Zheng C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6010919 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature