Mathematical models for Isoptera (Insecta) mound growth

Buschini, Maria Luisa Tunes; Abuabara, Maria Aparecida Pion; Petrere, Miguel

doi:10.1590/s1519-69842008000300009

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…In this study, we used termite nests of Nasutitermes coxipoensis (Holmgren), a common species in tropical regions, often found in association with grass and sandy soils (Almeida et al ., 2016). However, in the cerrado and restingas , these termites are found on lateritic surfaces, such as the campo rupestre (Mathews, 1977; Buschini et al ., 2008), thus becoming one of the most abundant species in the study system (Nunes et al ., 2017). The outer nest surface is irregular, with granular protuberances suggesting a protrusion of the nest's inner cells (Fig.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elevational environmental stress modulating species cohabitation in nests of a social insect

Viana‐Júnior

Mitraud

Dáttilo

et al. 2020

Ecological Entomology

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1. Termite nests may offer shelter to a number of species, alleviating the effects of environmental harshness. Certain elevational gradients provide variation on edaphoclimatic features, possibly generating harsh environmental conditions and boosting the number of immigrants seeking shelter within termitaria. Therefore, it is expected that metrics describing the community of termitaria cohabitants would correlate with elevation.2. To test this hypothesis, we surveyed the termitophiles inhabiting 20 nests of Nasutitermes coxipoensis along an elevational gradient in a tropical mountain in Brazil. We assessed the richness, abundance, and composition (β-diversity) of termite nests' cohabitants, testing nest volume and elevational position as explanatory covariates.3. We found a positive correlation between the elevation at which termitaria were located and the richness and abundance of cohabiting termitophiles. Additionally, no correlation was found between elevational distance and dissimilarity of cohabitant communities between termitaria. Hence, the understanding that termitaria work as an 'oasis' of favorable microclimate is reinforced by our findings that the composition changed but was not correlated to elevation. 4. In short, environmental harshness boosts the establishment of distinct species of termitophiles in termitaria and it does so regardless of the invading species identity.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elevational environmental stress modulating species cohabitation in nests of a social insect

Viana‐Júnior

Mitraud

Dáttilo

et al. 2020

Ecological Entomology

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“…Of course termite mounds most likely do grow with the termite colony population from nothing to the final, large size [88] , [89] , [90] – and likely in discrete stages [36] . The majority of the research on mound growth, however, has used only a modelling approach [22] , [91] , [92] , [93] .…”

Section: Classification Of Termite Mounds and Morphologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Revisiting stigmergy in light of multi-functional, biogenic, termite structures as communication channel

Oberst

Lai

Martin

et al. 2020

Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal

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Termite mounds are fascinating because of their intriguing composition of numerous geometric shapes and materials. However, little is known about these structures, or of their functionalities. Most research has been on the basic composition of mounds compared with surrounding soils. There has been some targeted research on the thermoregulation and ventilation of the mounds of a few species of fungi-growing termites, which has generated considerable interest from human architecture. Otherwise, research on termite mounds has been scattered, with little work on their explicit properties. This review is focused on how termites design and build functional structures as nest, nursery and food storage; for thermoregulation and climatisation; as defence, shelter and refuge; as a foraging tool or building material; and for colony communication, either as in indirect communication (stigmergy) or as an information channel essential for direct communication through vibrations (biotremology). Our analysis shows that systematic research is required to study the properties of these structures such as porosity and material composition. High resolution computer tomography in combination with nonlinear dynamics and methods from computational intelligence may provide breakthroughs in unveiling the secrets of termite behaviour and their mounds. In particular, the examination of dynamic and wave propagation properties of termite-built structures in combination with a detailed signal analysis of termite activities is required to better understand the interplay between termites and their nest as superorganism. How termite structures serve as defence in the form of disguising acoustic and vibration signals from detection by predators, and what role local and global vibration synchronisation plays for building are open questions that need to be addressed to provide insights into how termites utilise materials to thrive in a world of predators and competitors.

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Nest Architecture, Colony Composition and Feeding Substrates of Nasutitermes coxipoensis (Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae) in Subtropical Biomes of Northeastern Argentina

Laffont

2014

Sociobiology

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The mound- building termite Nasutitermes coxipoensis is commonly found at subtropical environments of northeast Argentina. This study gives new data about its nest architecture, biology and nutritional habits, comparing these results with other populations of the species. The volume of the analyzed nests varied between 0.91 dm3 y 207.33 dm3, a wider range than previously reported for N. coxipoensis. The external and internal characteristics of the nests were similar to descriptions from other sites although it was not possible to differentiate the royal cell. The societies were monogynic and the queens laid eggs throughout the year. The body length and weight of primary reproductives were reported. The presence of alates within the mounds was higher in October and November. Feeding substrates consumed by N. coxipoensis at these habitats are also reported.

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Mathematical models for Isoptera (Insecta) mound growth

Cited by 4 publications

References 3 publications

Elevational environmental stress modulating species cohabitation in nests of a social insect

Elevational environmental stress modulating species cohabitation in nests of a social insect

Revisiting stigmergy in light of multi-functional, biogenic, termite structures as communication channel

Nest Architecture, Colony Composition and Feeding Substrates of Nasutitermes coxipoensis (Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae) in Subtropical Biomes of Northeastern Argentina

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