Foraging and defensive behaviour in neotropical termites

Abstract

Biological and ecological data on the termite faunas and their ant predators at eight localities in the main vegetational zones of Amazonia, Brazil, are presented. Known and novel morphological and behavioural adaptations for defence in the termite neuter castes are described in detail and the relative proportions of soldiers in nest and foraging-party samples are reported. Soldiers are present in greater proportions in foraging-party samples than in nest samples and playa major role in directing the behaviour of foragers. Correlations are shown between the foraging mode (= ecological role) of the 186 species studied with both the defensive capability of the soldier caste and the proportion of soldiers present in samples.

The majority of the 325 species of ants recorded as termite-predators are opportunists and only eight species of ponerine and one doryline specialise in termite-predation. The specialists are sub-divided according to predation style and their ecological impact on termite populations is investigated. The mass-recruited ponerine, Pachycondyla commutata, is the most efficient predator and exerts a predation level of 0.405 termites per square metre per day (ter. M^-2day^-1). Nomadic nest-raiders exert a predation level of 0.109 ter. M^-2day^-1, but are wasteful of their resources. All other opportunists together exert a mean predation level of 0.139ter. M^-2day^-1.

The pheromonal role of the chemical secretions produced by termite soldiers in defence are examined and their toxicity assessed by topical bioassay on predatory ants. The defensive secretions of almost all species serve as multi-component pheromones and fulfil a variety of communicative roles in foraging parties, dependent on the amount produced. The terpenoid secretions of the higher nasutitermitines are the most toxic on topical application, while the effects of the secretion of the lower nasutitermitine Syntermes calvus are enhanced by wound application. The rupturates produced in autothysis are generally tacky, entangling agents with no toxic or pheromonal activity, although rupturates of the soldierless apicotermitines are repellent to predatory ants.

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