Intraspecific colony recognition in the termites Macrotermes subhyalinus and Macrotermes bellicosus (Isoptera, Termitidae)

Abstract

Intraspecific colony recognition in the termites Macrotermes subhyalinus and M. bellicosus was investigated over two field seasons in Comoë-Nationalpark (Ivory Coast). Behavioural tests with major workers and minor soldiers, respectively, were performed using neutral arenas of covered plastic dishes. For each species, termites were sampled by baiting from 10 field colonies randomly chosen at four different sites. Major workers and minor soldiers of both species were capable of differentially discriminating between members of various colonies. In major workers of M. subhyalinus this discriminatory ability was expressed as varying degrees of aggression, whereas major workers of M. bellicosus showed different degrees of examination behaviour. Minor soldiers of both species reacted to foreign colony members with different levels of aggression. Thus, M. bellicosus displayed a more subtle form of discriminatory behaviour. Mound volume was measured as a parameter for colony size and stage of colony development. Aggression (in major workers of M. subhyalinus) and examination behaviour (in major workers of M. bellicosus) were not correlated with differences in mound volume and thus differences in size or age of the involved colonies. Aggression and examination behaviour respectively of major workers were not correlated either with the spatial distance between the colonies. We found cases, where individuals from neighbouring colonies showed either no aggression/examination behaviour or a high level of aggression/examination behaviour. Thus, there was no indication of a dear-enemy phenomenon. The behaviour of colony discrimination was found to be consistent over the two years for both species.

Cuticular hydrocarbons in a termite: phenotypes and a neighbour–stranger effect

“…Therefore, alarm and overt aggression were investigated between major workers in an arena experiment. Jmhasly & Leuthold (1999b) showed that the results of such arena experiments are correlated between castes and that the results of the experiments correspond to the field situation. In consequence, the conclusions from the experiments presented here should not depend on the chosen caste and should not be an artefact of the experimental situation.…”

“…subhyalinus, Jmhasly et al, 1998;Jmhasly & Leuthold, 1999b). In M. subhyalinus, the level of aggression between colonies varies considerably (Jmhasly & Leuthold, 1999b). This cannot be explained by the age of colonies or geographical distance.…”

“…Aggression between workers from different colonies has been demonstrated for several termite species, whereas aggression is not found in pairings of nestmates (Reticulitermes, BagneÁ res et al, 1991;Heterotermes, Jones, 1990;Schedorhinotermes, Kaib & Brandl, 1992;Husseneder et al, 1998;M. subhyalinus, Jmhasly et al, 1998;Jmhasly & Leuthold, 1999b). In M. subhyalinus, the level of aggression between colonies varies considerably (Jmhasly & Leuthold, 1999b).…”

“…Hence, major workers should play a key role in behavioural interactions with neighbours (Thorne, 1982;Jmhasly & Leuthold, 1999b). Therefore, alarm and overt aggression were investigated between major workers in an arena experiment.…”

“…Following antennation, workers may show jerking, which is a rapid longitudinal movement without locomotion and which is considered to be a typical element of alarm behaviour (Jmhasly & Leuthold, 1999b). This behaviour may be followed by overt aggression, resulting in the death of one or several of the engaged workers (mortality).…”