Heterospecific pairing and hybridization between Nasutitermes corniger and N. ephratae
Heterospecific pairing and hybridization between Nasutitermes corniger and N. ephratae
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DOI：
10.1007/s00114-011-0823-y
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发表时间：
2011-09-01
影响因子：
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通讯作者：
Rosengaus, Rebeca B.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Hartke, Tamara R.;Rosengaus, Rebeca B.
根据形态、巢结构、防御性分泌物成分和分子标记，可以清楚地区分同域新热带白蚁 Nasutitermes corniger 和 Nasutitermes ephratae。然而，考虑到这些密切相关的物种在生态、地理和行为上广泛的重叠，可能存在杂交的潜力。为了探索这种可能性，通过实验形成异种配对来检查求偶和群体建立行为以及繁殖潜力。求偶和筑巢行为在异种配对中的发生方式与同种配对相似。成对的生存取决于雌性伴侣的物种。雌性 ephratae 猪笼草与雄性 N. corniger 配对产生的后代数量与同种配对一样多。然而，雌性柯尼格猪笼草与雄性麻风猪笼草交配后，在建群后 60 天产生的后代明显少于互交或同种的麻风猪笼草或柯尼格猪笼草配对。这也是唯一观察到任何攻击行为的配对。在配偶选择中生态系统中形成异种对和群体，表明这两种白蚁之间的物种识别并不是配偶选择的重要方面。总体而言，物种错配耐受性和杂交后代的生存能力很高。目前的数据，加上之前来自防御性分泌物和同工酶分析的证据表明，杂交可能在自然界中定期发生，并且这两个物种之间的生殖障碍可能是不完整的。杂交可以提供罕见但重要的遗传多样性来源，并可以确保每个物种中更丰富的有翼动物的交配机会。
The sympatric neotropical termites Nasutitermes corniger and Nasutitermes ephratae are clearly distinguishable based on morphology, nest architecture, defensive secretion composition, and molecular markers. However, given the extensive ecological, geographical, and behavioral overlap of these closely related species, the potential for interbreeding may exist. To explore this possibility, heterospecific pairs were formed experimentally to examine courtship and colony-establishment behaviors, and reproductive potential. Courtship and nest construction behavior occurred in heterospecific pairs in a similar manner to that of conspecific pairs. Survival of pairs depended upon the species of the female partner. N. ephratae females paired with N. corniger males produced as many offspring as conspecific pairs. N. corniger females mated to N. ephratae males, however, produced significantly fewer offspring at 60 days post-establishment than the reciprocal cross or conspecific N. ephratae or N. corniger pairs. This was also the only pairing in which any aggression was observed. Heterospecific pairs and groups formed in mate choice mesocosms, suggesting that species recognition between these two termites is not an important aspect of mate choice. Overall, species mismatch tolerance and hybrid offspring viability are high. The present data, together with previous evidence from defensive secretions and isozyme analysis, suggest that hybridization may periodically occur in nature, and that reproductive barriers between these two species may be incomplete. Hybridization could provide a rare but important source of genetic diversity and may ensure mating opportunities for the more abundant sex of alates in each species.