Two Novel Volatile Compounds as the Key for Intraspecific Colony Recognition in Macrotermes gilvus (Isoptera: Termitidae)

Abstract

Factors that cause individuals to recognize nestmates and non-nestmates in the same termite species require ongoing research. Chemical communication between individuals is predicted to be a key factor in the recognition behavior. This study aims to determine the level of aggression intraspecies Macrotermes gilvus and identify chemical components that play a role in influencing the behavior. Agonistic test intra-and intercolony M. gilvus that separated distance far away and a GC-MS analysis to determine of volatile compounds which role communication among individuals M. gilvus have been done. The research results showed that no aggression behavior intraspecies M. gilvus both intra-and intercolony. Agonistic test on three termite colonies M. gilvus from Bandung, Bogor and Bandar Lampung within maximum distance 216 km showed no agonistic. Agonistic level in intracolony only happens antennation or examination, while in intercolony occurs antennation, examination, alarm behavior and avoidance one another. Aggressive behavior (as a marker of agonistic behavior) does not appear both inter-and intracolony. Identification of the volatile compounds that assumed to play a role as, a key of intraspecific colony recognition has been carried out using GC-MS analysis, the results are 22 volatile compounds of caste workers and soldiers (both minor-and major soldier). Two novel volatile compounds has been identified i.e., (Z)-6-octadecenoic acid and (E)-9-octadecenoic acid, respectively, as the key of individuals for recognizing both non-and nestmembers of M. gilvus. Those compounds are species-specific on M. gilvus.

Evaluation of the chemical defense fluids of Macrotermes carbonarius and Globitermes sulphureus as possible household repellents and insecticides

“…In nature, the presence of different cuticular compounds in one-piece nesting termites causes avoidance, and they become aggressive 34 . Specific species, such as M. gilvus, respond to the situation with some level of alarm or avoidance even at a different distances from their colonies 35 . In the present study, the presence of active compounds such as quinone in the M. carbonarius extract could also influence repellency at the highest concentration 6 .…”

The chemical ecology of the fungus-farming termite symbiosis

“…Termites are well known to make use of volatile compounds to communicate among castes and in direction of division of labour within colonies. 88 One study identified two novel compounds ( Z )-6-octadecenoic acid ( 42 ) and ( E )-9-octadecenoic acid ( 43 ) in Macrotermes gilvus , which appear to be involved in nestmate recognition. 88…”

“…88 One study identified two novel compounds ( Z )-6-octadecenoic acid ( 42 ) and ( E )-9-octadecenoic acid ( 43 ) in Macrotermes gilvus , which appear to be involved in nestmate recognition. 88…”

“…Termites are well known to make use of volatile compounds to communicate among castes and in direction of division of labour within colonies. 88 One study identied two novel compounds (Z)-6-octadecenoic acid (42) and (E)-9-octadecenoic acid (43) in Macrotermes gilvus, which appear to be involved in nestmate recognition. 88 Studies based on head-space gas-chromatograph mass spectrometry (GC-MS) have allowed for the rst insights into the volatilome of Termitomyces sp.…”

“…88 One study identied two novel compounds (Z)-6-octadecenoic acid (42) and (E)-9-octadecenoic acid (43) in Macrotermes gilvus, which appear to be involved in nestmate recognition. 88 Studies based on head-space gas-chromatograph mass spectrometry (GC-MS) have allowed for the rst insights into the volatilome of Termitomyces sp. and revealed several odorous compounds including typical C8 components (mushroom odours), such as octen-3-ol (44), 2-phenyl-ethanol (45), hexan-3ol ( 46) and hept-2-enol (47) (Fig.…”