Analysis of the genetic diversity of Nasutitermes coxipoensis (Isoptera: Termitidae) in natural fragments of Brazilian cerrado savanna using AFLP markers

Habitat fragmentation could lead to loss of genetic diversity because of genetic bottlenecks, a reduction of gene flow between the remnant populations, increased levels of inbreeding within the remaining populations and higher incidence of genetic drift. Here we analyzed the effects of isolation on the population genetics of Nasutitermes coxipoensis in several natural fragments of cerrado savanna in Rondônia Brazil, using the technique amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). Termites were collected from 101 nests in five natural savanna fragments in the state of Rondônia, and in a non-fragmented area of savanna in Brasilia, Brazil. Genetic diversity within populations, genetic distance, G_st, and gene flow between populations were calculated. A total of 269 AFLP fragments were obtained from three primer combinations used, with 204 (75.8%) polymorphic loci. The genetic distance between fragments in Rondônia was significantly larger than that distance between fragments and Brasilia. Gene diversity in Brasilia was significantly higher than that within fragments in Rondônia. Our results suggest that habitat fragmentation has a low or no effect at all on the genetic diversity of the N. coxipoensis population. It was observed that geographically close populations are also genetically close, suggesting the presence of some gene flow between populations.