Temperature and relative humidity inside the mound ofOdontotermes obesus (Rambur) (Isoptera: Termitidae)

Agarwal, VK

doi:10.1007/bf03179148

Cited by 15 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 3 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Our finding of dampened variation in daily temperature and RH is supported by other studies of O. obesus mounds in India (Agarwal, ) and Macrotermes bellicosus mounds in Africa (Korb and Linsenmair, ). The strong correlation between the average outside temperature and the corresponding inside temperature indicates that the mound temperature closely follows the outside temperature, i.e.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Dynamic environments of fungus‐farming termite mounds exert growth‐modulating effects on fungal crop parasites

Katariya

Ramesh

Borges

2017

Environmental Microbiology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study investigated for the first time the impact of the internal mound environment of fungus-growing termites on the growth of fungal crop parasites. Mounds of the termite Odontotermes obesus acted as (i) temperature and relative humidity (RH) 'stabilisers' showing dampened daily variation and (ii) 'extreme environments' exhibiting elevated RH and CO levels, compared to the outside. Yet, internal temperatures exhibited seasonal dynamics as did daily and seasonal CO levels. During in situ experiments under termite-excluded conditions within the mound, the growth of the crop parasite Pseudoxylaria was greater inside than outside the mound, i.e., Pseudoxylaria is 'termitariophilic'. Also, ex situ experiments on parasite isolates differing in growth rates and examined under controlled conditions in the absence of termites revealed a variable effect with fungal growth decreasing only under high CO and low temperature conditions, reflecting the in situ parasite growth fluctuations. In essence, the parasite appears to be adapted to survive in the termite mound. Thus the mound microclimate does not inhibit the parasite but the dynamic environmental conditions of the mound affect its growth to varying extents. These results shed light on the impact of animal-engineered structures on parasite ecology, independent of any direct role of animal engineers.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Dynamic environments of fungus‐farming termite mounds exert growth‐modulating effects on fungal crop parasites

Katariya

Ramesh

Borges

2017

Environmental Microbiology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A number of other authors have examined temperature regulation in termite nests of various species ( Nasutitermes exitiousus , Holdaway & Gay, ; Coptotermes acinaciformis , Coptotermes frenchi and Coptotermes lacteus , Greaves, ; Odontotermes obesus , Agarwal, ; Tumulitermes pastinator , Bristow & Holt, ; Microcerotermes biroi and Nasititermes princeps , Leponce et al , ; see also review by Jones & Oldroyd, ). Although these species have a variety of nesting habits (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, few studies have thoroughly examined the ability of termites to mediate the effects of temperature and humidity via their nests. Most studies are limited by a small sample size (one to four colonies: Holdaway & Gay, ; Greaves, ; Agarwal, ; Bristow & Holt, ; Leponce et al , ). Only one group has been studied extensively – the fungus‐growing termites (Agarwal, ; Liu et al , (cited in Cheng et al , ), Korb & Linsenmair, , , ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most studies are limited by a small sample size (one to four colonies: Holdaway & Gay, ; Greaves, ; Agarwal, ; Bristow & Holt, ; Leponce et al , ). Only one group has been studied extensively – the fungus‐growing termites (Agarwal, ; Liu et al , (cited in Cheng et al , ), Korb & Linsenmair, , , ). The most comprehensive information to date on nest structures comes from a series of studies on Macrotermes bellicosus , a fungus‐cultivating species (reviewed in Korb, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Termites like it hot and humid: the ability of arboreal tropical termites to mediate their nest environment against ambient conditions

Fuller

Postava-Davignon

2014

Ecological Entomology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Tropical termites are physiologically adapted to a narrow range of climatic conditions, and as a result may be particularly impacted by global climate change. Because of their key roles as decomposers and ecosystem engineers, any climatic impact on termites could have serious ramifications for tropical ecosystems. The ability of termites to mediate their nest environment could allow them to cope with these changes. The temperature and RH in nests of the tropical termite Nasutitermes acajutlae were compared with ambient conditions on the island of St John, U.S. Virgin Islands, over a 5‐year period using data loggers inserted into nest cartons. Nest conditions were found to be significantly warmer, more humid, and less variable than ambient conditions with respect to both temperature and RH. A comparison of dead nests, live non‐reproductive nests, and live reproductive nests revealed that temperature mediation appears to be primarily the result of the presence of termites, with reproductive nests producing the highest temperatures, while high RH is maintained by the insulating effects of the nest material. Environmental variability across the years of this study had a significant influence on nest temperature and RH, suggesting that if tropical conditions become warmer and drier as predicted, N. acajutlae may have difficulty adapting over the long term.

show abstract

“…Isopods require a moist environment and seek dark, humid places. The nests of termites are constructed to maintain moisture and ventilation in their galleries (Agarwal 1979) which provides a favorable environment for the colonization of terrestrial organisms such as crustaceans. The galleries and cavities vary in size, offering different options to the adequacy of this habitat to the isopods.…”

Section: Pudeoniscus Birabenimentioning

confidence: 99%

Terrestrial isopods (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea) in termite nests (Blattodea: Termitidae) in a cocoa plantation in Brazil

Lisboa¹,

Couto²,

Santos

et al. 2013

Biota Neotrop.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Various animals live in termite nests as secondary occupants. Among them are terrestrial isopods. We found five species of terrestrial isopods (Oniscidea) in 17 of 34 termite nests of Nasutitermes in a cocoa plantation near Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil (in 2 aging and 15 abandoned nests). The 14 active, 1 aging and 2 abandoned nests bore no isopods. The oniscideans were Atlantoscia rubromarginata, an undescribed species of Atlantoscia (Philosciidae), Pudeoniscus birabeni, P. obscurus (Pudeoniscidae) and Neotroponiscus carolii (Bathytropidae). Of the 146 individuals collected, 122 were A. rubromarginata. Due to the absence of isopods in active nests, these terrestrial isopods are considered termitariophilous. Keywords: Termitariophilous, Nasutitermes, Atlantoscia. LISBOA, J.T., COUTO, E.C.G., SANTOS, P.P., DELABIE, J.

show abstract

Temperature and relative humidity inside the mound ofOdontotermes obesus (Rambur) (Isoptera: Termitidae)

Cited by 15 publications

References 3 publications

Dynamic environments of fungus‐farming termite mounds exert growth‐modulating effects on fungal crop parasites

Dynamic environments of fungus‐farming termite mounds exert growth‐modulating effects on fungal crop parasites

Termites like it hot and humid: the ability of arboreal tropical termites to mediate their nest environment against ambient conditions

Terrestrial isopods (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea) in termite nests (Blattodea: Termitidae) in a cocoa plantation in Brazil

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About