Evaluation of DNA fingerprinting, aggression tests, and morphometry as tools for colony delineation of the formosan subterranean termite

Multilocus DNA fingerprinting, aggression tests, and morphometry were compa red to evaluate their potential for the delineation of colonies of Coptoter mes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera; Rhinotermitidae) in Hawaii. DNA fingerpri nting segregates the termites from all collection sites and allows the assi gnment of all individuals to their original collection site. The genetic si milarity of termites from different collection sites approaches the populat ion's generic background similarity, consequently collection sites represen t independent colonies. Aggression between colonies is comparatively low an d does not provide reliable colony delineation Morphometry allows a 79% cla ssification rate of termites to their colony of origin. No correlation amon g genetic similarities, aggression levels, and morphometric distances is fo und. Of the three investigated methods, we conclude that the genetic approa ch is the most useful tool for colony delineation in C. formosanus.