Author
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Shoemaker, David |
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Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 11/2/2015 Publication Date: 2/15/2016 Citation: Shoemaker, D.D. 2016. Development of genetic markers distinguishing two invasive fire ant species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and their hybrids. Florida Entomologist. 99(1):117-119. Interpretive Summary: Fire ants are considered significant ecological, agricultural, and public health pest throughout their invasive range in the U.S.A. A research entomologist at the Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, USDA-ARS, Gainesville, Florida describes here the results of study aimed at developing genetic markers that can be used to clearly distinguish between two introduced fire ant species and their hybrids. Three such markers were developed. Joint use of these markers was shown to consistently distinguish hybrids from the two parental species. The development of these markers distinguishing the two introduced fire ants and their hybrids represents a significant advance over existing methods because this method is robust, easily transferable, and cost effective. Technical Abstract: Three SNP markers were developed that are completely diagnostic in distinguishing the two fire ant species Solenopsis invicta and S. richteri. Although a fourth marker we developed is not fully diagnostic, it is still useful given one of the variants is confined to S. richteri. Joint use of these markers was shown to consistently distinguish hybrids from the two parental species. The development of these SNP markers distinguishing the two introduced fire ants and their hybrids represents a significant advance over existing methods because this method is robust, easily transferable, and cost effective. |
