黄翅大白蚁多蚁后巢体中繁殖蚁遗传关系及蚁后交配权分配机制

Polygamy in field colonies of Macrotermes barneyi Light occurs frequently on preliminary field observation. But it is still an enigma that the origin, genetic relationship and mating right of those queens. However, solving these questions play an important role in understanding the basis of survival, dispersal and lifetime of termite colonies. Therefore, this subject will determine the genotype of reproductives using microsatellite (SSR) and ascertain genetic relationship among reproductives by genetic analysis. We will find the blood queen of termite individuals through determining genotype of soldiers, works and nymphs (or alates) as well as genetic analysis. Moreover, we will reveal the rule of kings to assign queens mating rights by the indices of the number of progenies, body characteristics and genetic relationship of reproductives. Genotype (homozygous and allele origin) of progenies and reproductives evidences that which one, reproductives or progenies, origins from parthenogernesis. These results will provide basis for us to apprehend the biological significances of polygyne colonies to enlarge and breed their population. Also these results will support the termite-controlled programs by giving more accurate theory evidence.

前期发现，黄翅大白蚁野外巢体中出现一王多后的概率较高，但这些多蚁后巢体中蚁后的来源、蚁王与蚁后以及蚁后之间的遗传关系和蚁后交配权如何分配尚不清楚。然而这些问题的研究对深入理解白蚁巢群的生存、扩张和寿命有重要意义。鉴于此，本项目采用微卫星（SSR）技术，测定黄翅大白蚁多蚁后巢体中蚁王与蚁后的基因型，通过遗传分析探明蚁王与蚁后以及蚁后之间的遗传关系。测定多蚁后巢体中兵蚁、工蚁和若蚁（或有翅蚁）的基因型并进行遗传分析，确定子代个体的蚁后归属；综合蚁后的子代数量、体征及其与蚁王的遗传关系等指标，揭示蚁王对蚁后交配权的分配机制。利用繁殖蚁与子代个体的基因型（纯合度与等位基因来源）来判断多蚁后巢体中繁殖蚁和子代个体是否由孤雌生殖产生。预期研究结果有助于理解多蚁后巢体对白蚁种群扩大与繁衍的生物学意义，并为我国白蚁防治工作提供科学依据。

自然界中黄翅大白蚁野外巢体中出现一王多后的概率较高，但这些多蚁后巢体中蚁后的来源、蚁王与蚁后以及蚁后之间的遗传关系和蚁后交配权如何分配一直存在争议。本项目通过微卫星分子标记技术，发现自然界中黄翅大白蚁多蚁后巢体中，蚁王与蚁后、蚁后之间亲缘关系大部分为远源，均占70%的比例，不存在蚁王与同巢所有蚁后近源、或同巢中所有蚁后亲缘关系均为近源的巢群。相关性分析表明，一王多后交配格局下蚁王对蚁后交配权主要与亲缘关系呈边缘显著负相关（蚁王与部分蚁后远源，与部分蚁后近源的巢群）；与蚁后的的腹部体积、蚁后体重呈显著正相关。黄翅大白蚁繁殖蚁及非生殖品级母代的生殖方式均为有性生殖。结果为理解多蚁后巢体对白蚁种群扩大与繁衍的生物学意义提供了新的视角和理论支持，并为我国白蚁防治工作提供科学依据。