Dissertation Research: Early Invasion Dynamics of the Japanese pavement ant, Tetramorium tsushimae, in St. Louis, MO: The Genetic Structure of a Biological Invasion

日本的路面蚂蚁，是最近发现的一种入侵物种，遍布圣路易斯大都市区。自从首次发现入侵以来，该物种迅速蔓延，可能减少了当地的生物多样性。本研究的主要目标是通过遗传学、生态学、行为学和计算机建模的方法，利用这个物种来了解最近的生物入侵是如何成功的。具体来说，这笔资金将允许研究确定该物种最近是如何分散的，以及它目前如何与其他物种竞争。入侵物种是种群快速增长并造成重大环境或经济代价的非本地物种。入侵物种是世界范围内物种灭绝和数量下降的第二大原因。除了对生物多样性的不利影响外，入侵物种的负面影响每年在美国造成1370亿美元的损失。生物入侵研究的一个主要重点是了解入侵的早期阶段，因为一旦入侵形成，就很难根除。日本的人行道蚂蚁代表了最近有记录的蚂蚁入侵北美；因此，这个系统提供了一个不可缺少的机会来了解早期入侵是如何成功和传播的。这项研究将为防止入侵的保护工作提供有价值的信息。

The Japanese pavement ant, Tetramorium tsushimae, is a recently discovered invasive species found throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. Since the invasion was first identified, the species has rapidly spread and may have reduced local biodiversity. The primary goal of this research is to use this species to understand how recent biological invasions succeed by using methods in genetics, ecology, behavior, and computer modeling. Specifically, this funding will permit research to determine how this species has dispersed recently and how it currently competes with other species.Invasive species are non-native species that undergo rapid population growth and cause significant environmental or economic costs. Invasive species are the second leading cause of extinctions and population declines worldwide. Aside from their adverse effects on biodiversity, the negative effects of invasive species in the U.S. cost $137 billion annually. A major emphasis in the study of biological invasions has been to understand the early stages of invasions, because once established they can be very difficult to eradicate. The Japanese pavement ant represents the most recently documented ant invasion in North America; as such, this system presents an indispensable opportunity to understand how early invasions succeed and spread. This research will provide valuable information for conservation efforts designed to prevent invasions.