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883 results for “termite”
Data for: Drivers of wood decay in tropical ecosystems: Termites vs. microbes along spatial, temporal and experimental precipitation gradients
<ol> <li>Models estimating decomposition rates of dead wood across space and time are mainly based on studies carried out in temperate zones where microbes are dominant drivers of decomposition. However, most dead wood biomass is found in tropical ecosystems, where termites are also important wood consumers. Given the dependence of microbial decomposition on moisture with termite decomposition thought to be more resilient to dry conditions, the relative importance of these decomposition agents is expected to shift along gradients in precipitation that affect wood moisture.</li> <li>Here, we investigated the relative roles of microbes and termites in wood decomposition across precipitation gradients in space, time and with a simulated drought experiment in tropical Australia. We deployed mesh bags with non-native pine wood blocks, allowing termite access to half the bags. Bags were collected every six months (end of wet and dry seasons) over a four-year period across 5 sites along a rainfall gradient (ranging from savanna to wet sclerophyll to rainforest) and within a simulated drought experiment at the wettest site. We expected microbial decomposition to proceed faster in wet conditions with greater relative influence of termites in dry conditions.</li> <li>Consistent with expectations, microbial-mediated wood decomposition was slowest in dry savanna sites, dry seasons, and simulated drought conditions. Wood blocks discovered by termites decomposed 16% to 36% faster than blocks undiscovered by termites regardless of precipitation levels. Concurrently, termites were 10 times more likely to discover wood in dry savanna compared with wet rainforest sites, compensating for slow microbial decomposition in savannas. For wood discovered by termites, seasonality and drought did not significantly affect decomposition rates.</li> <li>Taken together, we found that spatial and seasonal variation in precipitation are important in shaping wood decomposition rates as driven by termites and microbes, although these different gradients do not equally impact decomposition agents. As we better understand how climate change will affect precipitation regimes across the tropics, our results can improve predictions of how wood decomposition agents will shift with potential for altering carbon fluxes.</li> </ol>
Data from: Inter-clonal competition over queen succession imposes a cost of parthenogenesis on termite colonies
<p>In social insect colonies, selfish behaviour due to intracolonial conflict among members can result in colony-level costs despite close relatedness. In certain termite species, queens use asexual reproduction for within-colony queen succession but rely on sexual reproduction for worker and alate production, resulting in multiple half-clones of a single primary queen competing for personal reproduction. Our study demonstrates that competition over asexual queen succession among different clone types leads to the overproduction of parthenogenetic offspring, resulting in the production of dysfunctional parthenogenetic alates. By genotyping the queens of 23 field colonies of <em>Reticulitermes speratus</em>, we found that clone variation in the queen population reduces as colonies develop. Field sampling of alates and primary reproductives of incipient colonies showed that overproduced parthenogenetic offspring develop into alates that have significantly smaller body sizes and much lower survivorship than sexually-produced alates. Our results indicate that while the production of earlier and more parthenogenetic eggs is advantageous for winning the competition for personal reproduction, it comes at a great cost to the colony. Thus, this study highlights the evolutionary interplay between individual-level and colony-level selection on parthenogenesis by queens.</p>
Figs 1, 2. Aspergillus flavus. 1 in Symptomatology of termite Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren (Rhinotermitidae) after fungi infection of Aspergillus flavus
Figs 1, 2. Aspergillus flavus. 1 – colony on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA); 2 – morphology of conidia: (1) vesicles; (2) metula; (3) fialid; (4) conidiospores; (5) conidiophore.
Figs 3–6 in Symptomatology of termite Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren (Rhinotermitidae) after fungi infection of Aspergillus flavus
Figs 3–6. Body surface morphology of Coptotermes curvignathus infected with Aspergillus flavus. 3 – negative control; 4 – 1st day after application; 5 – 3rd day; 6 – 7th day.
The evolution of body size in termites
<p><span>Termites are social cockroaches. Because non-termite cockroaches are larger than basal termite lineages, which themselves include large termite species, it has been proposed that termites experienced a unidirectional body size reduction since they evolved eusociality. However, the validity of this hypothesis remains untested in a phylogenetic framework. Here, we reconstructed termite body size evolution using head width measurements of 1638 modern and fossil termite species. We found that the unidirectional body size reduction model was only supported by analyses excluding fossil species. Analyses including fossil species suggested that body size diversified along with speciation events and estimated that the size of the common ancestor of modern termites was comparable to that of modern species. Our analyses further revealed that body size variability among species, but not body size reduction, is associated with features attributed to advanced termite societies. Our results suggest that miniaturization took place at the origin of termites, while subsequent complexification of termite societies did not lead to further body size reduction.</span></p>
Data for: Termite nest evolution fostered social parasitism by termitophilous rove beetles
<p>Colonies of social insects contain large amounts of resources often exploited by specialized social parasites. While some termite species host numerous parasitic arthropod species, called termitophiles, others host none. The reason for this large variability remains unknown. Here we report that the evolution of termitophily in rove beetles is linked to termite nesting strategies. We compared one-piece nesters, whose entire colony life is completed within a single wood piece, to foraging species, which exploit multiple physically separated food sources. Our epidemiological model predicts that characteristics related to foraging (e.g., extended colony longevity and frequent interactions with other colonies) increase the probability of parasitism by termitophiles. We tested our prediction using literature data. We found that foraging species are more likely to host termitophilous rove beetles than one-piece nesters: 99.6% of known termitophilous species were associated with foraging termites, while 0.4% were associated with one-piece nesters. Notably, the few one-piece nesting species hosting termitophiles were those having foraging potential and access to soil. Our phylogenetic analyses confirmed that termitophily primarily evolved with foraging termites. These results highlight that the evolution of complex termite societies fostered social parasitism, explaining why some species have more social parasites than others.</p>
An Experimental Test of Lanchester's Models of Combat in the Neotropical Termite Nasutitermes corniger (Blattodea: Termitidae)
<p><span>Lanchester's models of combat have been invoked to explain the mechanics of group fighting in social animals. Specifically, Lanchester's square law posits that the fighting ability of the group is proportional to the square of the number of combatants. Although used to explain a variety of ecological phenomena, the models have not been thoroughly tested. We tested the Lanchester models using group battles between colonies of the termite <em>Nasutitermes corniger</em>. Our main goals were to determine if mortality rates fit the Lanchester models, and if so, whether the behavioural mechanisms underlying a group's success match those used in deriving the model. We initiated battles between pairs of colonies with different ratios of fighters and recorded deaths over time. We found that the numerically larger army has an advantage, but that the advantage is not as pronounced as predicted by Lanchester's square law. We also video-recorded battles to analyse individual behaviour, which did not support the mechanisms invoked by Lanchester. Instead, the killing power of an individual is increased by the presence of nestmates, giving the larger group a disproportionate advantage. Although the behavioural mechanisms leading to the advantage may differ, our results still support some of the proposed ecological phenomena.</span></p>
Historical and future climate change fosters expansion of Australian harvester termites, Drepanotermes
<p>Past evolutionary adaptations to Australia's aridification can help us to understand potential responses of species in the face of global climate change. Here, we focus on the Australian-endemic termite genus <em>Drepanotermes</em>, which is widespread in semi-arid and arid regions of Australia. We used species delineation, phylogenetic inference, and ancestral state reconstruction to investigate the evolution of mound-building and in relation to reconstructed past climatic conditions. Our results suggest that mound-building evolved several times independently, apparently facilitating expansion into tropical and mesic regions of Australia. Strong phylogenetic signal of bioclimatic variables, especially of limiting environmental factors (e.g. precipitation of warmest quarter), indicates that climate exerts a strong selective pressure. Finally, we used environmental niche modeling to predict present and future habitat suitability for eight <em>Drepanotermes</em> species. Abiotic factors such as annual temperature contributed disproportionately to calibrations, while the inclusion of biotic factors like vegetation cover improved ecological niche models in some species. A comparison between present and future habitat suitability under two different emission scenarios revealed continued suitability of current ranges as well as substantial habitat gains for most studied species, irrespective of nesting habit, yet extensive range expansions in the near future are likely precluded by low dispersal abilities.</p>
FIGURE 2 in A new Rovno amber termite genus (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae) from Styr river basin
FIGURE 2. Lukotermes milescaput gen. et sp. nov., holotype L-122, female. Head frontal view (A), fore leg (B). Scale bars equal to 0.2 mm in A, 0.1 mm in B.
FIGURE 3 in A new Rovno amber termite genus (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae) from Styr river basin
FIGURE 3. Lukotermes milescaput gen. et sp. nov., holotype L-122, female. Abdomen apex, arrow: cercus. Scale bar equals 0.2 mm.
FIGURE 1 in A new Rovno amber termite genus (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae) from Styr river basin
FIGURE 1. Lukotermes milescaput gen. et sp. nov., holotype L-122, female. General habitus (A), head from above, arrows: bumps (B), thorax from above (C), head from below (D). Scale bars equal 1 mm in A, 0.2 mm in B–C, 0.5 mm in D.
The diversity of social complexity in termites
<p>Sociality underpins major evolutionary transitions and significantly influences the structure and function of complex ecosystems. Social insects, seen as the pinnacle of sociality, have traits like obligate sterility that are considered 'master traits', used as single phenotypic measures of this complexity. However, evidence is mounting that completely aligning both phenotypic and evolutionary social complexity, and having obligate sterility central to both, is erroneous. We hypothesise that obligate and functional sterility are insufficient in explaining the diversity of phenotypic social complexity in social insects. To test this, we explore the relative importance of these sterility traits in an understudied but diverse taxon: the termites. We compile the largest termite social complexity dataset to date, using specimen and literature data. We find that although functional and obligate sterility explain a significant proportion of variance, neither trait are adequate singular proxies for the phenotypic social complexity of termites. Further, we show both traits have only a weak association with the other social complexity traits within termites. These findings have ramifications for our general comprehension of the frameworks of phenotypic and evolutionary social complexity and their relationship with sterility.</p>
Fig. 5 in Aparatermes thornatus (Isoptera: Termitidae: Apicotermitinae), a new species of soldierless termite from northern Amazonia
Fig. 5. Bayesian phylogeny of all described soldierless New World genera using the mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase subunit 1 COI barcode gene showing posterior probabilities. Tree rooted on terminal Heterotermes crinitus.
Fig. 2 in Aparatermes thornatus (Isoptera: Termitidae: Apicotermitinae), a new species of soldierless termite from northern Amazonia
Fig. 2. Aparatermes thornatus worker gut: (A) dorsal; (B) lateral right; (C) ventral; (D) lateral lef views. Abbreviations of gut sections: C = crop, EVS = enteric valve seating, M = mesenteron, MT = mesenteric tongue, P1–P5 = proctodeal segments.
Fig. 3 in Aparatermes thornatus (Isoptera: Termitidae: Apicotermitinae), a new species of soldierless termite from northern Amazonia
Fig. 3. Aparatermes enteric valve cushions: (A) A. cingulatus; (B) A. abbreviatus; (C) A. silvestrii; (D) A. thornatus.
Fig. 1 in Aparatermes thornatus (Isoptera: Termitidae: Apicotermitinae), a new species of soldierless termite from northern Amazonia
Fig. 1. Aparatermes thornatus worker: (A) dorsal view of head and fore legs (inset shows coloration and pigment variant); (B) lateral view of head and thorax; (C) lateral view of habitus; (D) ventral view of fore coxae; (E) mandibles.
FIG. 5 in Bryophytes associated with termite mounds on the northeastern Nigerian highlands
FIG. 5. — Neighbour joining clustering of countries/territories from which species collected from termite mounds on eastern Nigerian Highlands are known, indicating greatest similarity to the Nigerian mound bryophytes to the left and least similarity to the right.
FIG. 4 in Bryophytes associated with termite mounds on the northeastern Nigerian highlands
FIG. 4. — Distributional affinities of species collected from termite mounds from northeastern Nigerian Highlands.
FIG. 1 in Fissidens ezukanmae Brugg.-Nann., sp. nov. (Fissidentaceae, Bryopsida), a new species from termite mounds in Nigeria
FIG. 1. — Fissidens ezukanmae Brugg.-Nann., sp. nov.: A, stem with terminal perichaetium; B, branched vegetative stem; C, part of stem with axillary archegonia (upper one left anomalously developed); D-G, leaves; H, basal part of vaginant lamina of subperichaetial leaf with limbidium; I, leaf apex; J, mid leaf; K, insertion of leaf; L, detail mid-vaginant lamina; M, cross-section of stem; N, cross-section of leaf with bryoides-type of costa. All from holotype. Scale bars: A,B, 1 mm; C, 0,5 mm; D, 0,1 mm; E-G, 0,1 mm; H, 50 µm; I, 100 µm; J,K, 50 µm; L, M, 50 µm.
Data from: Genomic data provide insights into the classification of extant termites
<p>The higher classification of termites requires substantial revision as the Neoisoptera, the most diverse termite lineage, comprise many paraphyletic and polyphyletic higher taxa. Here, we produced an updated termite classification using genomic-scale analyses. We reconstructed phylogenies under diverse substitution models with ultraconserved elements analyzed as concatenated matrices or within the multi-species coalescence framework. Our classification is further supported by analyses controlling for rogue loci and taxa, and topological tests. We show that the Neoisoptera are composed of seven family-level monophyletic lineages, including the Heterotermitidae Froggatt, Psammotermitidae Holmgren, and Termitogetonidae Holmgren, raised from subfamilial rank. The species-rich Termitidae are composed of 18 subfamily-level monophyletic lineages, including the new subfamilies Crepititermitinae, Cylindrotermitinae, Forficulitermitinae, Neocapritermitinae, Protohamitermitinae, and Promirotermitinae, and the revived Amitermitinae Kemner, Microcerotermitinae Holmgren, and Mirocapritermitinae Kemner. Building an updated taxonomic classification on the foundation of unambiguously supported monophyletic lineages makes it highly resilient to potential destabilization caused by the future availability of novel phylogenetic markers and methods. The taxonomic stability is further guaranteed by the modularity of the new termite classification, designed to accommodate as-yet undescribed species with uncertain affinities to the herein delimited monophyletic lineages in the form of new families or subfamilies.</p>
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