TY - JOUR

T1 - Gene flow across large distances in the cavity-nesting wasp Deuteragenia subintermedia in a central European forest

AU - Ruppert, Laura Sophia

AU - Staab, Michael

AU - Rappa, Nolan J.

AU - Frey, Julian

AU - Segelbacher, Gernot

PY - 2025

Y1 - 2025

N2 - Habitat connectivity and maintaining gene flow between populations is central for long-term population persistence and is an essential element in conservation planning. However, data on dispersal ability and genetic population structure is lacking for almost all insect species. We here investigate if forest localities in the temperate, central European Black Forest are connected by gene flow. For this, we used partial genome sequencing on specimens of the solitary cavity-nesting wasp Deuteragenia subintermedia (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae), a forest specialist that primarily nests in deadwood. We assumed that spatially uneven availability of standing deadwood has led to genetic substructuring. Contrary to our expectations, we did not find signs of population structure either on a regional or an individual level. Hence, for this solitary wasp species, dispersal seems not to be restricted across the Black Forest study sites (approximately 90 km distance) and none of the investigated environmental variables impacted genetic connectivity.

AB - Habitat connectivity and maintaining gene flow between populations is central for long-term population persistence and is an essential element in conservation planning. However, data on dispersal ability and genetic population structure is lacking for almost all insect species. We here investigate if forest localities in the temperate, central European Black Forest are connected by gene flow. For this, we used partial genome sequencing on specimens of the solitary cavity-nesting wasp Deuteragenia subintermedia (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae), a forest specialist that primarily nests in deadwood. We assumed that spatially uneven availability of standing deadwood has led to genetic substructuring. Contrary to our expectations, we did not find signs of population structure either on a regional or an individual level. Hence, for this solitary wasp species, dispersal seems not to be restricted across the Black Forest study sites (approximately 90 km distance) and none of the investigated environmental variables impacted genetic connectivity.

U2 - 10.1002/ece3.71294

DO - 10.1002/ece3.71294

M3 - Journal articles

C2 - 40256269

VL - 15

JO - Ecology and Evolution

JF - Ecology and Evolution

SN - 2045-7758

M1 - e71294

ER -