Isolation and characterization of six microsatellite loci in the drywood termite Cryptotermes secundus (Kalotermitidae)

Abstract

The Kalotermitidae is a family of lower termites and its species are ideal to study the evolution and maintenance of eusociality within the Isoptera. Co-dominant genetic markers are an essential tool to elucidate the putatively complex colony and population structure. Six polymorphic microsatellite loci were identified in the drywood termite Cryptotermes secundus (Kalotermitidae). To test the variability of the markers, 18 colonies (n = 18) from Darwin (Australia) were assayed. We found two to eight alleles per locus with the level of observed heterozygosity at each locus ranging from 0.00 to 0.53. The significantly positive FIT value suggests that some kind of inbreeding does occur in this population.