Microsatellite genotype data from: Male-biased dispersal in a fungus-gardening ant symbiosis (Matthews et al, Ecology and Evolution)

For nearly all organisms, dispersal is a fundamental life history trait
that can shape their ecology and evolution. Variation in dispersal
capabilities within a species exists and can influence population genetic
structure and ecological interactions. In fungus-gardening (attine) ants,
co-dispersal of ants and mutualistic fungi is crucial to the success of
this obligate symbiosis. Female-biased dispersal (and gene flow) may be
favored in attines because virgin queens carry the responsibility of
dispersing the fungi, but a paucity of research has made this conclusion
difficult. Here, we investigate dispersal of the fungus-gardening ant
Trachymyrmex septentrionalis using a combination of maternally-
(mitochondrial DNA) and biparentally-inherited (microsatellites) markers.
We found three distinct, spatially isolated mitochondrial DNA haplotypes;
two were found in the Florida panhandle and the other in the Florida
peninsula. In contrast, biparental markers illustrated significant gene
flow across this region and minimal spatial structure. The differential
patterns uncovered from mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite markers
suggest that most long-distance ant dispersal is male-biased and that
females (and concomitantly the fungus) have more limited dispersal
capabilities. Consequently, the limited female dispersal is likely an
important bottleneck for the fungal symbiont. This bottleneck could slow
fungal genetic diversification, which has significant implications for
both ant hosts and fungal symbionts regarding population genetics, species
distributions, adaptive responses to environmental change, and
coevolutionary patterns.