Hybrids of two destructive subterranean termites established in the field, revealing a potential for gene flow between species

Hybridization between invasive pest species may lead to significant genetic and economic impacts that require close monitoring. The two most invasive and destructive termite species worldwide, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann), have the potential for hybridization in the field. A three-year field survey conducted during the dispersal flight season of Coptotermes in Taiwan identified alates with atypical morphology, which were confirmed as hybrids of the two Coptotermes species using microsatellite and mitochondrial analyses. Out of 27,601 alates collected over three years, 4.4% were confirmed as hybrid alates, and some advanced hybrids (>F1 generations) were identified. The hybrid alates had a dispersal flight season that overlapped with the two parental species 13 out of 15 times. Most of the hybrid alates were females, implying that mating opportunities beyond F1 may primarily be possible through female hybrids. However, the incipient colony growth re..., Please read the README document (\"README.md\") and the accompanying published article: Chen G-Y, Huang S-Y, Lin M-D, Chouvenc T, Ching Y-H, Li H-F. 2024. Hybrids of two destructive subterranean termites established in the field, revealing a potential for gene flow between species. Heredity. , , # Data from: Hybrids of two destructive subterranean termites established in the field, revealing a potential for gene flow between species

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.n2z34tn4g](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.n2z34tn4g)

Data from: Chen G-Y, Huang S-Y, Lin M-D, Chouvenc T, Ching Y-H, Li H-F. 2024. Hybrids of two destructive subterranean termites established in the field, revealing a potential for gene flow between species. Heredity. 

## Description of the data and file structure

Please refer to the file 'Coptotermes_hybrid_individual_information.csv' for individual names, species identity, collection details, and microsatellite data.

Additionally, genotypes have been formatted according to the input file requirements for STRUCTURE and NewHybrids:

1. Coptotermes_hybrid_formatted_for_NewHybrids.txt
2. Coptotermes_hybrid_formatted_for_STRUCTURE.txt