Combined foraging strategies and soldier behaviour in Nasutitermes aff. coxipoensis (Blattodea: Termitoidea: Termitidae)

Almeida, Camilla S.; Cristaldo, Paulo F.; Florencio, Daniela Faria; Cruz, Nayara G.; Santos, Abraão Almeida; Oliveira, Alexandre Passos; Santana, Alex Fabiano Bertollo; Ribeiro, Efrem J. M.; Lima, Ana Paula Santana; Bacci, Leandro; Araújo, Ana Paula Albano

doi:10.1016/j.beproc.2016.03.006

Cited by 21 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The foraging strategy shown here is part of a behavioural repertory adjusted along the diversification of the Isoptera clade, following the complete separation between nest and food resource (see Almeida et al, 2016). coxipoensis is a novel one and could be useful in discussions about the evolution of the foraging behaviour of termite species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Preliminary tests indicated that transplantation did not affect colony survival (Almeida et al, 2016). Immediately after removal, the nests were transplanted at a minimum distance of 50 m from the original location.…”

Section: Nasutitermes Aff Coxipoensis Nest Transplantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Termitidae), central place foraging strategy is traditionally known to include open-air foraging (above ground in exposed processional columns) or the construction of a network of subterranean tunnels that link the nest to food sources (Grace & Campora, 2005) (but see Almeida et al, 2016). Termitidae), central place foraging strategy is traditionally known to include open-air foraging (above ground in exposed processional columns) or the construction of a network of subterranean tunnels that link the nest to food sources (Grace & Campora, 2005) (but see Almeida et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…coxipoensis comprised two sequential behaviours: the establishment of trails followed by the construction of galleries on the soil surface (Almeida et al, 2016). coxipoensis occurs in north-eastern Brazil, in sandbank areas with grasses interspersed by open dunes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Resource density regulates the foraging investment in higher termite species

Almeida

Cristaldo

DeSouza

et al. 2018

Ecological Entomology

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1. Resource density can regulate the area that animals use. At low resource density, there is a conflict in terms of balance between costs of foraging and benefits acquired. The foraging of the higher termite Nasutitermes aff. coxipoensis consists of searching throughout trails and a building galleries phase.2. In this study, a manipulative field experiment was used to test the hypothesis that colonies of N. aff. coxipoensis forage towards a more profitable balance between the establishment of trails and gallery construction at low resource density.3. The experiment was conducted in north-eastern Brazil. Seven experimental plots were established with a continuous increase in resource density (sugarcane baits). Entire colonies of N. aff. coxipoensis were transplanted from their original sites to the experimental plot, totalling 35 nests. The number, branches and total length of trails and galleries were quantified.4. The results show that N. aff. coxipoensis optimises its foraging output, intensifying the establishment of trails at the cost of gallery construction when resource density is low. The number of trails, the number of trail branches and the total length of trails decreased with increasing resource density. Interestingly, at low resource density, the search effort was concentrated on forming longer and a greater number of trails, a small proportion of which were converted into galleries. The opposite relationship was observed at high resource density. 5. These results suggest an optimisation of search efforts during foraging depending on resource density, a mechanism that may help researchers to understand the use of space by higher termite species.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Nasutitermes Aff Coxipoensis Nest Transplantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Resource density regulates the foraging investment in higher termite species

Almeida

Cristaldo

DeSouza

et al. 2018

Ecological Entomology

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“…coxipoensis (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae) is an advanced termite species widely distributed in the Neotropical regions. Colonies of this species forage through trails that are converted into galleries when food is found (Almeida et al, ), which minimizes their foraging costs (Almeida et al, ). The intercolonial aggressiveness between neighboring colonies of this species is modulated mainly by the resource offer (Ferreira et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attraction and vibration: Effects of previous exposure and type of food resource in the perception of allocolonial odors in termites

et al. 2018

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Social insects have an efficient recognition system that guarantees social cohesion and protection against intruders in their colonies and territories. However, the energy costs in constant conflicts with neighboring colonies could promote a reduction in the fitness of colonies. Here, we evaluated the effect of previous exposure to allocolonial odor and the consumption of similar food resources on aggressive behavior and choice of allocolonial cues in Nasutitermes aff. coxipoensis (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae). Our results showed that intercolonial aggressiveness was not affected by previous exposure to allocolonial odor and by the consumption of similar food resources. However, individuals previously exposed to allocolonial odor were more attracted to these odors than individuals who had no prior exposure to allocolonial odor. In addition, individuals from colonies of N. aff. coxipoensis that use similar food resources increased alertness via a greater number of vibration than individuals who consumed different food resources. In general, our results indicate that colonies of N. aff coxipoensis perceive allocolonial cues that have been previously exposed and that the consumption of similar resources triggers an alert signal between individuals. Additional studies are necessary to assess how widespread this capacity of perception is present among the different Isoptera groups and the consequences of colony recognition odor cues on termite space use.

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Trail Pheromones in Termites

Cristaldo

2018

Termites and Sustainable Management

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Combined foraging strategies and soldier behaviour in Nasutitermes aff. coxipoensis (Blattodea: Termitoidea: Termitidae)

Cited by 21 publications

References 36 publications

Resource density regulates the foraging investment in higher termite species

Resource density regulates the foraging investment in higher termite species

Attraction and vibration: Effects of previous exposure and type of food resource in the perception of allocolonial odors in termites

Trail Pheromones in Termites

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