Proliferation of the invasive termite Coptotermes gestroi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) on Grand Cayman and overall termite diversity on the Cayman Islands

Authors

  • Rudolf H. Scheffrahn University of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Davie, Florida 33314,
  • Hartwig Hochmair University of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Davie, Florida 33314,
  • Francesco Tonini North Carolina State University, Center for Geospatial Analytics, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
  • Jan Křeček University of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Davie, Florida 33314, USA
  • Nan-Yao Su University of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Davie, Florida 33314, USA
  • Peter Fitzgerald Pestkil, Grand Cayman KY1-1106, Cayman Islands
  • Kieran Hendricken Pestkil, Grand Cayman KY1-1106, Cayman Islands
  • James A. Chase Terminix International, Memphis, Tennessee 38120, USA
  • John Mangold Terminix International, Memphis, Tennessee 38120, USA
  • Jeremy Olynik Cayman Islands Government, Department of Environment, Grand Cayman KY1-1002, Cayman Islands

Keywords:

cluster analysis, individual based spread model, Little Cayman, Cayman Brac

Abstract

The Asian subterranean termite, Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), was discovered on Grand Cayman Island in 2000 and, by 2014, had been recorded from 102 land-based localities. These data were used in a hierarchical cluster analysis to identify homogeneous clusters of sites to estimate separate introduction points on the island. Results suggest 4 separate introductions of C. gestroi to Grand Cayman by boat and 1 by land transport from other previously infested parts of the island. The infestations by boat could be either primary introductions (originating from another island) or secondary introductions (originating from other previously infested parts of Grand Cayman). An individual-based model was used to simulate non-anthropogenic spread of C. gestroi over Grand Cayman from 2014 to 2050. The model predicts that by 2050, most of the western part of Grand Cayman will likely be heavily infested by C. gestroi, whereas patches of unsuitable habitat restrict the expansion of the species over the central and eastern parts of the island. In the absence of further human introductions, it will likely take a century for C. gestroi to saturate the island by natural dispersal only. Based on detailed termite diversity surveys, we provide updated records for 14 termite species, collectively, on Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac.

 

Resumen

La termita subterránea de Asia, Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), fue descubierta en la Isla de Gran Caimán en el 2000 y por el 2014, había sido registrada en 102 localidades con base en tierra. Se utilizaron estos datos en un análisis de agrupamiento jerárquico para identificar grupos homogéneos de sitios para estimar puntos de introducción separados en la isla. Los resultados sugieren 4 introducciones separadas de C. gestroi a Grand Cayman por barco y 1 por transporte terrestre desde otras partes previamente infestadas de la isla. Las infestaciones por barco podría ser la introducción primaria (procedente de otra isla) o introducciones secundarias (originarios de otras partes previamente infestadas de Grand Cayman). Un modelo basado en el individuo fue utilizado para simular la propagación no antropogénica de C. gestroi dentro Gran Caimán desde el 2014 hasta el 2050. El modelo predice que para el año 2050, es probable que la mayor parte de la parte occidental de Gran Caimán sea fuertemente atacada por C. gestroi, mientras que los parches de hábitat inadecuado restringen la expansión de la especie más en las partes central y oriental de la isla. En ausencia de nuevas introducciones por humanos, es probable que tome un siglo para que C. gestroi pueda saturar la isla sólo por dispersión natural. Sobre la base de sondeos detallados de diversidad de termitas, provemos registros actualizados para 14 especies de termitas, de manera colectiva, en las islas de Gran Caimán, Pequeña Caimán y Caimán Brac.

 

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Author Biography

Hartwig Hochmair, University of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Davie, Florida 33314,

Associate Professor of Geomatics

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Published

2016-06-07

Issue

Vol. 99, No. 3 (September 2016)

Section

Research Papers

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