Dynamics of biparental care in the dampwood termite, Zootermopsis nevadensis (Hagen): response to nitrogen availability

Abstract

Studies were conducted on the dampwood termite, Zootermopsis nevadensis, to examine the behavioral roles of the reproductive pair during the nestfounding period and to determine the effect of nitrogen availability on their reproduction and division of labor. Nitrogen has been hypothesized to be an important limiting nutrient for founding pairs. One nitrogenous reserve, uric acid-nitrogen, was examined in reproductives and in nutrient-receiving and nutrient-gathering colony members; it was found in highest amounts in the reproductives (i.e., alates, de-alates, and primary reproductives). Young pairs may use these nitrogenous reserves to increase their chances for reproduction. In support of this hypothesis, founding pairs that were fed a diet supplemented with uric acid-nitrogen had a significantly greater probability of producing at least one offspring than did pairs fed an unsupplemented diet. Females that were fed a nitrogen-poor diet restricted their total activity while their mates sustained a high activity during colony initiation. When fed a nitrogen-rich diet, females collected pulp more often than their mates, while males collected more water, though only in the period prior to egg laying. In all pairs, males transferred proctodeal pellets (food derived from the hindgut intestine) to their mates significantly more often than females to males, and females fed on proctodeal pellets significantly more often than did their mates. The male-female asymmetries in pellet transfer and feeding were not significant in the stage after egg deposition. Once eggs and larvae were present in the nest, a male and female spend an equal percentage of time caring for eggs and feeding larvae. Proctodeal pellets examined in reproductives were found to be rich in proteins. This suggests that in the pre-egg period, the male provides nitrogen-rich substances to the female as a form of paternal investment.

Cellulolytic Protist Numbers Rise and Fall Dramatically in Termite Queens and Kings during Colony Foundation

“…This may translate to higher levels of fermentation of cellulose to short-chain fatty acids (32) in kings and a higher capacity of the king than of the queen to provide nutrients to his partner and offspring. Previous studies of incipient termite colony formation in the damp-wood species Zootermopsis nevadensis and Hodotermopsis japonica (ϭ sjostedti) have shown that males tend to provide more nutrients to females than vice versa (33,34). This occurs during the first 2 weeks before eggs are being produced but apparently not following egg laying and larval development.…”

Comparison of colony foundation success between sexual pairs and female asexual units in the termite Reticulitermes speratus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

“…(2) The absence of grooming by partners might have rendered single females unsanitary and increased their risk of infection by pathogens. (3) Single females could not receive food from males through the transfer of proctodeal pellets in the period before egg laying (Waller and LaFage 1987;Shellman-Reeve 1990).…”

Nitrogen recycling through proctodeal trophallaxis in the Japanese damp-wood termite Hodotermopsis japonica (Isoptera, Termopsidae)

“…The proctodeal fluid was collected from anus of a termite, by a gentle prod on its end of abdomen (Shellman-Reeve, 1990). Proctodeal fluid of 5µl from each individual was assayed with a Micro BCA Protein Assay Reagent Kit (PIERCE).…”