Phylogenetic analyses of Reticulitermes (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) from California and other western states: multiple genes confirm undescribed species identified by cuticular hydrocarbons

Abstract

Subterranean termites in the genus ReticulitermesHolmgren 1913 are among the most economically important wood-destroying pests in the western United States. Yet, there remains uncertainty regarding the taxonomy and biology of the species in this genus. The 2 species described as having distributions in this region are the western subterranean termite, Reticulitermes hesperusBanks, and the arid land subterranean termite, Reticulitermes tibialisBanks. Taxonomic studies utilizing cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles, agonistic behavior, flight phenology, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) suggested that R. hesperusis a species complex comprised of 2 or more sympatric, yet reproductively isolated species. To further delineate these taxa, we examined multiple genes from samples of Reticulitermescollected in the western United States. Alates collected after recent spring and fall mating flights, as well as previously collected workers, were subjected to CHC phenotyping and DNA sequence analyses that targeted mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII), mitochondrial 16S rRNA, and nuclear Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 and 2 (ITS1 and 2). Phylogenetic analyses conducted also included published sequences of other putative western Reticulitermesspecies. Results suggest that at least 5 species of Reticulitermesmay be present in California and that Reticulitermesin Arizona consistently group into multiple clades, including samples previously identified as R. tibialisin a sister clade. These analyses further support the species status of qualitatively different CHC phenotypes and that alates swarming in spring vs. fall are reproductively isolated species.

Citation

Tseng, Shu-Ping; Nelson, Lori J; Hubble, Casey W; Sutherland, Andrew M; Haverty, Michael I; Lee, Chow-Yang. 2023. Phylogenetic analyses of Reticulitermes (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) from California and other western states: multiple genes confirm undescribed species identified by cuticular hydrocarbons. Journal of Economic Entomology. 98(3): 753. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toad182.