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

Abstract

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.

Top‐down network analysis characterizes hidden termite–termite interactions

“…; Cristaldo et al. ). We described above that mutualistic pollinator webs can be affected by interactions that transmit disease or by nectar‐robbing species that exploit plants.…”

“…; Cristaldo et al. ). Other studies have provided evidence suggesting that some termite–termite interactions may be mutualistic; for example, Termes sp.…”

“…Some ambiguity in this analysis is to be expected; many interactions are neither purely antagonistic nor purely mutualistic. Indeed, some interactions may be commensal (Florencio et al 2013;Cristaldo et al 2014). We described above that mutualistic pollinator webs can be affected by interactions that transmit disease or by nectarrobbing species that exploit plants.…”

“…We described above that mutualistic pollinator webs can be affected by interactions that transmit disease or by nectarrobbing species that exploit plants. Similarly, we know that some inquiline termite species fight members of the host species when confronted, despite adopting behaviors that lower their overall cost to their hosts (Florencio et al 2013;Cristaldo et al 2014). Other studies have provided evidence suggesting that some termite-termite interactions may be mutualistic; for example, Termes sp.…”

Bibliometrics on One of the Largest Termite Inventories in the Cerrado: "Studies on Termites From the Mato Grosso State, Brazil by Aga Mathews 1977"

“…Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Silvestri, 1901) was the most studied species (10 studies). Constrictotermes cyphergaster has been extensively studied in the ecosystems where it occurs, and studies citing "Mathews 1977" have regarded its interaction with other species residing the termite nest (Cunha & Brandão, 2000;Cunha et al, 2003;Cristaldo et al, 2012;Cristaldo et al, 2014), supplementary reproductives (Cunha & Brandão, 2002), eating habits (Moura et al, 2006a;Moura et al, 2006b), link between nest building and some plant species (Lima-Ribeiro et al, 2006;Silva et al, 2007;Bezerra-Gusmão et al, 2013), nest population and biomass (Vasconcellos et al, 2007), development of the caste system (Moura et al, 2011), and contribution to the carbon cycle (Bezerra-Gusmão et al, 2011).…”