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Resource availability influences aggression and response to chemical cues in the Neotropical termite Nasutitermes aff. coxipoensis (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae)

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Abstract

Behavioural responses of organisms are frequently affected by variation in resource availability. For eusocial insects, the nutritional status of the colony can modulate responses to chemical cues determining intra- and inter-colonial aggressiveness. Species co-occurrence in termites seems to be modulated by resource availability. Here, we tested the effects of resource availability on acceptance of chemical cues and aggressive behaviour in the Neotropical termite Nasutitermes aff. coxipoensis (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae). Nasutitermes aff. coxipoensis nests were transplanted into three plots in which resource availability was manipulated over 4 months. Experiments were carried out to evaluate: (i) colony response to internal chemical cues and those of neighbouring colonies reared under the same resource levels; (ii) the choice among chemical paths of colonies reared at different resource levels; and (iii) inter-colony aggression to nestmates and to neighbouring colonies reared under the same resource levels. Our results suggest that resource availability affects acceptance of chemical cues, path choice and aggression in N. aff. coxipoensis. Resource availability may thus modulate behavioural responses influencing coexistence between termite species and other taxa at different spatial scales.

Significance statement

Environmental resource availability is known to limit a range of traits in animals and plants. Here, we report that resource availability is also responsible for changes in behavioural responses of termites. The behavioural modifications found in the present study contribute to our comprehension of ecological patterns in this important ecological group. This work increases our understanding of mechanisms of co-occurrence and coexistence of termite species, as well as patterns of termite species richness in distinct biomes.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Prof. Reginaldo Constantino (UnB) for species identification and to the staff reserves (REBIO/ICMBio) for logistic support. The Brazilian National Research Council (CNPq) support A.P.A.A (484823/2013-2), P.F.C, is supported by CNPq/FAPITEC-SE (302246/2014-2), and ODS holds a CNPq Fellowship (305736/2013-2). The others co-authors were supported by CAPES or CNPq grants.

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Ecological Interactions Laboratory, Department of Ecology, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, 49100-000, Brazil

      Paulo F. Cristaldo, Ana P. A. Araújo, Camilla S. Almeida, Nayara G. Cruz, Efrem J. M. Ribeiro & Marcos L. C. Rocha

    2. Graduate Program in Ecology and Conservation, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristovão, Sergipe, 49100-000, Brazil

      Camilla S. Almeida & Nayara G. Cruz

    3. Phytosanitary Clinic, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, 49100-000, Brazil

      Alisson S. Santana, Abraão A. Santos & Alexandre Passos

    4. Termitology Laboratory, Department of Entomology, Federal University of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil

      Og De Souza

    5. Department of Agrotechnology and Social Sciences, Rural Semi-Arid Federal University, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, 59625-900, Brazil

      Daniela F. Florencio

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    1. Paulo F. Cristaldo
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    Correspondence to Ana P. A. Araújo.

    Ethics declarations

    The permit for termite sampling was provided by ICMBio/IBAMA (no. 47652-1). No specific permits were required for the described laboratory studies, which have been carried out using a species that is neither endangered nor protected.

    Additional information

    Communicated by W. Hughes

    Paulo F. Cristaldo and Ana P. A. Araújo contributed equally to this work.

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    Cristaldo, P.F., Araújo, A.P.A., Almeida, C.S. et al. Resource availability influences aggression and response to chemical cues in the Neotropical termite Nasutitermes aff. coxipoensis (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 70, 1257–1265 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-016-2134-y

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