Multi-scale pattern analysis of a mound-building termite species |
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Authors: | C Grohmann J Oldeland D Stoyan K E Linsenmair |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany 2. Biocentre Klein Flottbek and Botanical Garden, University of Hamburg, Ohnhorststr. 18, 22609, Hamburg, Germany 3. TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institute of Stochastics, Prüferstra?e 9, 09596, Freiberg, Germany
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Abstract: | Termite mounds are a widespread feature in most African savannas. These structures exhibit high nutrient contents and often
host a special vegetation composition. In this study, we analysed mound distribution patterns of a fungus-growing termite
species, Macrotermes michaelseni, an important ecosystem engineer in the savannas of Namibia. Inhabited mounds taller than 0.7 m were regularly distributed.
We view this pattern as a result of intraspecific competition. The heights of mounds taller than 0.7 m were correlated positively
with their distance, such that mounds closer together, i.e. up to inter-mound distances of approximately 50 m, tended to be
smaller than average. This indicates that intraspecific competition for foraging areas controls mound distribution pattern
and colony size. Differences between mound heights increased on the spatial scale up to inter-mound distances of 80 m. We
assume that the foundation of new colonies is only possible in unoccupied patches. In such patches, young colonies are able
to occur close together as they have a relatively low foraging demand and therefore a low spatial demand. In contrast, their
critical distance to taller colonies with higher foraging demands is rather large, which leads to the observed increasing
difference of mound heights with increasing distances between them. |
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