The dampwood termites, genus Zootermopsis, are an abundant group of termites which inhabit forested areas in western North America along the Pacific coast. Three species and two subspecies are know to occur in this area; Zootermopsis angusticollis (Hagen), Zootermopsis laticeps (Banks), Zootermopsis nevadensis nevadensis (Hagen), and Zootermopsis nevadensis nuttingi (Hagen). In order to determine the breeding structure of these termites, we developed primers for microsatellite loci for use in population genetic analysis. Initially, 23 microsatellite loci were tested on 40 individuals of each of the three species, including the two subspecies, for intraspecific polymorphism. All primers were effective in amplifying loci in all of the above species. The high cross-reactivity is likely due to the close phylogenetic relationship among species in the genus. Eleven of the 23 loci examined displayed intraspecific variation in one or more of the above species. The number of alleles per locus, per species, ranged from 2 to five, with some allelic differences among species. However, additional sampling is needed before we can determine if allelic differences are fixed between species. The loci identified in this study should enable us to examine and comment on the breeding structure of Zootermopsis species.
Species 1: Isoptera Termopsidae Zootermopsis nevadensis
Species 2: Isoptera Termopsidae Zootermopsis laticeps
Species 3: Isoptera Termopsidae Zootermopsis angusticollis
Keywords: termite, microsatellite
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