The German wasp (Vespula germanica) is a highly successful invader on a global scale. These wasps were first observed in the Western Cape region in South Africa in 1972, and they have the potential to expand their range and cause significant damage to the native biodiversity. Our study used nuclear (DNA microsatellites) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from 42 wasp colonies to analyse the population genetics of V. germanica in their invaded South African range. We sequenced three mitochondrial genes; cytochrome c oxidase I, cytochrome b and cytochrome c oxidase II. We found six mtDNA haplotypes present in South Africa. Although only a single fertilized queen is sufficient for the establishment of a wasp nest, the probability of a single introduced queen to successfully establish a nest and a population is very small. If multiple queens were introduced at the same time, the probability for more than one haplotype being transferred to the new population increases. Therefore, the true number of queen introductions occurred in South Africa can be inferred to be between two and six. We examined nine microsatellite loci and found weak-to-no genetic sub-structuring, likely due to high dispersal rates. We concluded that German wasps in South Africa maintain a homogenous population with movement of individuals between localities.

中文翻译：

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南非入侵性黄蜂 Vespula Germanica 的种群遗传学

德国黄蜂（Vespula Germanica）是全球范围内非常成功的入侵者。这些黄蜂于 1972 年在南非西开普地区首次被观察到，它们有可能扩大其活动范围并对本地生物多样性造成重大破坏。我们的研究使用来自 42 个黄蜂群落的核（DNA 微卫星）和线粒体 DNA (mtDNA) 来分析 V. Germanica 在其入侵的南非范围内的种群遗传学。我们对三个线粒体基因进行了测序；细胞色素 c 氧化酶 I、细胞色素 b 和细胞色素 c 氧化酶 II。我们在南非发现了六种 mtDNA 单倍型。虽然只有一只受精的蜂王就足以建立一个黄蜂巢，但一个引入的蜂王成功建立巢穴和种群的概率非常小。如果同时引入多个皇后，则将不止一种单倍型转移到新种群的可能性会增加。因此，可以推断出南非引入的女王的真实数量在 2 到 6 之间。我们检查了九个微卫星位点，发现弱到没有遗传亚结构，可能是由于高扩散率。我们得出的结论是，南非的德国黄蜂保持着同质种群，个体在不同地区之间流动。可能是因为高传播率。我们得出的结论是，南非的德国黄蜂保持着同质种群，个体在不同地区之间流动。可能是因为高传播率。我们得出的结论是，南非的德国黄蜂保持着同质种群，个体在不同地区之间流动。