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 ...几乎所有生物的扩散行为均为核心生活史性状，可塑造其生态学特征与演化进程。同一物种种群内的扩散能力存在变异，该变异可影响种群遗传结构与生态相互作用。在菌耕蚁（attine）中，蚁类与其共生真菌的协同扩散对于这种专性共生关系的存续至关重要。由于处女蚁后承担着携带共生真菌扩散的职责，菌耕蚁中可能存在偏向雌性的扩散（及基因流）模式，但相关研究的匮乏使得这一结论难以验证。本研究结合母系遗传的线粒体DNA（mitochondrial DNA）与双亲遗传的微卫星（microsatellites）标记，对菌耕蚁Trachymyrmex septentrionalis的扩散行为展开探究。研究发现了三种独立的、空间隔离的线粒体DNA单倍型：其中两种分布于佛罗里达狭长地带，另一种分布于佛罗里达半岛。与之形成对比的是，双亲遗传标记显示出显著的基因流……