Morphology of the mandibular glands in workers of Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Silvestri) (Isoptera : Termitidae)

Costa–Leonardo, Ana Maria; Shields, Kathleen S.

doi:10.1016/0020-7322(90)90030-s

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…These cues may originate e.g. from mandibular glands, which occur in Nasutitermitinae soldiers ( Noirot, 1969 ) and are considerably enlarged in C. cyphergaster workers ( Costa-Leonardo and Shields, 1990 ). At the same time, these compounds may also originate from the frontal gland, which also occurs in C. cyphergaster workers (J.Š., unpublished) and is developed similarly to soldierless Apicotermitinae ( Šobotník et al, 2010c ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The nature of alarm communication in Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Blattodea: Termitoidea: Termitidae): the integration of chemical and vibroacoustic signals

et al. 2015

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Alarm signalling is of paramount importance to communication in all social insects. In termites, vibroacoustic and chemical alarm signalling are bound to operate synergistically but have never been studied simultaneously in a single species. Here, we inspected the functional significance of both communication channels in Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae), confirming the hypothesis that these are not exclusive, but rather complementary processes. In natural situations, the alarm predominantly attracts soldiers, which actively search for the source of a disturbance. Laboratory testing revealed that the frontal gland of soldiers produces a rich mixture of terpenoid compounds including an alarm pheromone. Extensive testing led to identification of the alarm pheromone being composed of abundant monoterpene hydrocarbons (1S)-α-pinene and myrcene, along with a minor component, (E)-β-ocimene. The vibratory alarm signalling consists of vibratory movements evidenced as bursts; a series of beats produced predominantly by soldiers. Exposing termite groups to various mixtures containing the alarm pheromone (crushed soldier heads, frontal gland extracts, mixture of all monoterpenes, and the alarm pheromone mixture made of standards) resulted in significantly higher activity in the tested groups and also increased intensity of the vibratory alarm communication, with the responses clearly dose-dependent. Lower doses of the pheromone provoked higher numbers of vibratory signals compared to higher doses. Higher doses induced long-term running of all termites without stops necessary to perform vibratory behaviour. Surprisingly, even crushed worker heads led to low (but significant) increases in the alarm responses, suggesting that other unknown compound in the worker's head is perceived and answered by termites. Our results demonstrate the existence of different alarm levels in termites, with lower levels being communicated through vibratory signals, and higher levels causing general alarm or retreat being communicated through the alarm pheromone.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The nature of alarm communication in Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Blattodea: Termitoidea: Termitidae): the integration of chemical and vibroacoustic signals

et al. 2015

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“…4 ) indicates perception and active avoidance of the host smell, probably due to presence of repellent compound(s) secreted by C. cyphergaster workers for their own protection during foraging in the open air. This hypothetical compound is obviously not present in the sternal gland secretion, and may originate either from the enlarged mandibular glands of workers [50] or from the faeces of C. cyphergaster workers, which are known to be laid onto their trails [51] , [52] . Moreover, powerful repellents are expected in open-air foraging termites to minimize predation upon them.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mutual Use of Trail-Following Chemical Cues by a Termite Host and Its Inquiline

et al. 2014

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Termite nests are often secondarily inhabited by other termite species ( = inquilines) that cohabit with the host. To understand this association, we studied the trail-following behaviour in two Neotropical species, Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae) and its obligatory inquiline, Inquilinitermes microcerus (Termitidae: Termitinae). Using behavioural experiments and chemical analyses, we determined that the trail-following pheromone of C. cyphergaster is made of neocembrene and (3Z,6Z,8E)-dodeca-3,6,8-trien-1-ol. Although no specific compound was identified in I. microcerus, workers were able to follow the above compounds in behavioural bioassays. Interestingly, in choice tests, C. cyphergaster prefers conspecific over heterospecific trails while I. microcerus shows the converse behaviour. In no-choice tests with whole body extracts, C. cyphergaster showed no preference for, while I. microcerus clearly avoided heterospecific trails. This seems to agree with the hypothesis that trail-following pheromones may shape the cohabitation of C. cyphergaster and I. microcerus and reinforce the idea that their cohabitation is based on conflict-avoiding strategies.

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“…The mandibular glands of termites are cephalic and consist of large peripheral cells and small central ductular cells (NOlROT 1969;CASStER et at. 1977;COSTA-LEONARDO & SHIELDS 1990;CONSTANT INO & COSTA-LEONARDO 1997). The sternal gland of termites is an unpaired organ arising from a thickening of one epidermal sternite, with the exception of Mastotermes Froggatt, 1896 which has three glands (NOlROT 1969(NOlROT , 1995GRASSE 1982).…”

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confidence: 99%

The exocrine glands of swarming females and physogastric queens of Cornitermes cumulans (Kollar) (Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae)

Ignatti

Costa–Leonardo

2001

Rev. Bras. Zool.

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Morphology of the mandibular glands in workers of Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Silvestri) (Isoptera : Termitidae)

Cited by 8 publications

References 9 publications

The nature of alarm communication in Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Blattodea: Termitoidea: Termitidae): the integration of chemical and vibroacoustic signals

The nature of alarm communication in Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Blattodea: Termitoidea: Termitidae): the integration of chemical and vibroacoustic signals

Mutual Use of Trail-Following Chemical Cues by a Termite Host and Its Inquiline

The exocrine glands of swarming females and physogastric queens of Cornitermes cumulans (Kollar) (Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae)

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