How the thermal environment shapes the structure of termite mounds

Abstract

A computational model has been developed to predict the role of environment in the forms and functions of termite mounds. The proposed model considers the most relevant forces involved in the heat transfer process of termite mounds, while also reflecting their gas-exchange function. The method adopts a system configuration procedure to determine thermally optimized mound structures. The model successfully predicts the main architectural characteristics of typical Macrotermes michaelseni mounds for the environmental conditions they live in. The results indicate that the mound superstructure and internal condition strongly depend on the combined effect of environmental forces. It is noted that mounds being exposed to higher solar irradiances develop intricate lateral channels, inside, and taller and more pronounced spire tilt towards the Sun, outside. It is also found that the mounds' spire tilt angle depends on the geographical location, following the local average solar zenith angle for strong irradiances. Although wind does not influence the overall over-ground mound shape, it significantly affects the mound internal condition. The results of this study resonate with what is seen in nature. The proposed approach provides a broader view of the factors that are effective in the form and function of a naturally made structure.

Morphological and elemental analysis of termite mound and ant nest in agriculturally prominent area

“…The role of ants as ecological indicator is attributed to their nest building potential using local resources (Okrutniak and Grześ, 2021;Sorvari, 2009). Ant's nest is one of the widely studied homes in context of their composition (metal accumulation), architecture (as per the environmental factors and insects' own interest), foraging behavior and ecosystem management (Fagundes et al, 2020). The way ant finds their place to build the nest or new home after the destruction or threat imposed on their nest, the journey of nest relocation, is done by scout ants which uses "one-pass" or "two pass" strategy which relies upon pheromones (Marshall et al, 2003).…”

“…Types of termite nest (Genise, 2017) As per the reports available, mounds made by termites have outgrowth of spire which is tilted as per the sunlight and internal channels. Number of internal channels in mounds depends upon the environmental conditions like soil, temperature and wind (Fagundes et al, 2020).…”

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

“…As discussed by Korb and Linsenmair [60] (cf. [59] , [74] ), the appearance of the mounds of Macrotermes bellicosus differ from forests, where mounds have a smooth and thick outer wall, to those in the open savannah, where mounds have rough ridges and thin outer walls. Differences appear to be driven by humidity, shown experimentally by Carey et al [75] .…”

Distribution of the Termite Reproductive Castes in Gunungpati, Semarang, Central Java

“…Rainfall (mm) Windspeed (m/s) December 2019 300-350 4.8-4.9 January 2020 300-350 5.1-5.5 few internal channels, the decreasing temperature in the nest (Fagundes et al, 2020). Table 3 shows that in Ngijo Village, the dominant vegetation is the Euphorbiaceae family with the highest IVI and H' of 0.75 and 0.35.…”