Abstract
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 was found 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.