Colour variation and polyethism of the soldier caste in the termite Macrotermes bellicosus |
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Authors: | Souleymane Konate Reinhard Leuthold Markus Hari and Pamela Veivers |
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Institution: | (1) Centre de Recherche en Ecologie, Université d'Abobo-Adjamé, 08 BP 109 Abidjan 08, C^ote d'Ivoire;(2) Zoological Institute, University of Bern, Erlachstrasse.9a, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland;(3) Sonnhalde 23, CH 3063 Ittigen, Switzerland;(4) School of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia |
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Abstract: | Based on abdominal colour three categories of major soldiers were found in Macrotermes bellicosus (Smeathman) (Isoptera: Termitidae). The three main colour types, yellow, red and brown are due to the colour of the defence-secretion stored in the labial gland's reservoirs. The order of these categories correlates with the uric acid titres of the whole individuals. It is concluded that colour could be used as a label for the relative age of a soldier. Age dependent polyethism was observed in soldiers: the individuals of the highest age class were the only ones leaving the nest to accompany the foraging workers, whereas all age categories were found inside the nest. After a significant loss of old individuals younger individuals show flexibility by replacing the missing outgoing nestmates. Caste regulation takes place by an increased rate of soldier development. |
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Keywords: | age group Isoptera Macrotermes bellicosus polyethism soldiers uric acid |
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