Global invasion history of Reticulitermes flavipes

Here, we used population genetic analyses and approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) to investigate the invasion history of the subterranean termite species R. flavipes. Using ddRadSeq, we first generated a SNP dataset sequencing 23 native populations in the USA and six introduced populations of this species in France, Germany, Chile, Uruguay, the Bahamas and Canada. We then assessed patterns of genetic structure within the entire native range of the species, and within each of the introduced populations. Finally, in order to elucidate the invasion history of R. flavipes, we compared support for different invasion scenarios modeling the number, size, and origin of each introduction event and their admixture using ABC.