Summary
The mandibles of third-stage workers and fourth-stage reproductive nymphs ofDrepanotermes perniger, both of the fifth instar, differ in size and shape. Measurements are of no diagnostic value taken singly, but scores from a canonical variate based on as few as three or four measurements of either mandible analysed individually, or a total of six measurements for a combined analysis based on both mandibles, effect complete separation of the two castes. Similar separation is achieved with W3 and N4 from populations ofD. perniger collected up to approximately 3,500 km from the source of the reference series from which the canonical variate was calculated.
Such multivariate analyses may be helpful in studies of polyethism in termites, and of structural and functional specialisation in sympatric associations of closely related species.
Résumé
Les mandibules des ouvriers du troisième âge (O3) et des nymphes du quatrième àge (N4) deDrepanotermes perniger, tous les deux du cinquième stade, diffèrent les unes des autres en taille et en forme. Les caractères mandibulaires ne sont d'aucune valeur discriminante si on les considère séparément, mais une variable canonique, basée seulement sur trois ou quatre caractères de l'une ou l'autre mandibule analysée individuellement ou, dans les cas d'une analyse combinée des deux mandibules, basée sur six caractères, permet de différencier complètement les deux castes. On obtient des résultats analogues (avec O3 et N4) sur des populations deDrepanotermes perniger d'autres origines, éloignées jusqu'à 3,500 km de la série de référence pour laquelle on a déterminé la variable canonique.
Ce type d'analyse serait peut-être applicable aux études du polyéthisme des termites, et de la spécialisation fonctionnelle des associations sympatriques d'espèces apparentées.
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Campbell, N.A., Watson, J.A.L. A multivariate study of mandibular characters in fifth instar workers and nymphs ofDrepanotermes perniger (Froggatt) (Isoptera: Termitinae). Ins. Soc 22, 293–306 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02223078
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02223078