Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationship of higher termite Globitermes sulphureus (Haviland)(Blattodea:Termitidae)

Abstract

The subterranean termite Globitermes sulphureus is commonly found in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam (Ahmad, 1965; Bordereau et al., 1997; Kuswanto et al., 2015; Lee et al., 2007; Ngee & Lee, 2002). This termite belongs to higher group termites which possess only bacteria and archaea in their gut (Bujang et al., 2014). As a wood feeder termite, this species has been reported to infest premises’ wood structures (Ab Majid & Ahmad, 2009; Neoh et al., 2011). Moreover, it was also reported as the primary pest in agricultural sectors such as coconut and oil palm plantations (Lee et al., 2003). G. sulphureus is recognized as a pest of significant economic importance in Southeast Asia (Rust & Su, 2012). Abstract The subterranean higher termite Globitermes sulphureus (Blattodea: Termitidae) is a peridomestic forager and regarded as a significant pest in Southeast Asia. In this study, populations of G. sulphureus from the USM main campus area were investigated based on partial sequences of the mitochondrial COII gene. The genetic diversity was determined using DnaSP v5 software, while the phylogenetic relationship was defined using Neighbor-joining (NJ) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods using Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (MEGA 7) software. A total of 2 haplotypes were detected among 5 sample sequences distinguished through two variable sites. Also, both phylogenetic trees gave similar topology and supporting the results from haplotype diversity. Based on the haplotype diversity and molecular phylogeny, it is proposed that geographic isolation and lack of human activities have contributed to the neutral genetic diversity of G. sulphureus. Sociobiology An international journal on social insects