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Termite Mound Architecture, from Function to Construction

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Biology of Termites: a Modern Synthesis

Abstract

Termite mounds function as nests for their inhabitants, which are colonies of small potentially vulnerable insects that are also susceptible to environmental fluctuations. Thus, the mound protects against enemies and hostile environmental condition. Mounds vary in shape, between and even within species. Yet, different species might also build similar mounds. Using current knowledge on fungus-growing termites and magnetic termites, I will show evidence that mound architecture is an adaptation to local environmental conditions. There is no single explanation for mound shape. The significance of different factors (e.g. thermoregulation, gas exchange) varies between species and between environments, and different mechanisms exist to achieve homeostatic nest conditions. In the second part of this review, I summarize what is known about the mechanisms involved in building such complex mounds. The construction of mounds that are adapted to local conditions does not imply a purposeful design. Rather, our current understanding suggests that it is the result of self-organisation, in interaction with stigmergy and templates. There remain many open questions in understanding termite mound architecture. To resolve them requires detailed studies and a closer cooperation among disciplines.

Natural selection should operate on builders through the success of the structures that they build and also the success of the building process compared with rival methods of construction

(Hansell 2005)

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Acknowledgments

Joanna Darlington made very helpful comments on the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Behavioural Biology, University of Osnabrueck, D-49076, Osnabrueck, Germany

    Judith Korb

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  1. School of Biological & Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Rd., London, E1 4NS, United Kingdom

    David Edward Bignell

  2. Behavioural & Evolutionary Ecology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Av. F.D. Roosevelt 50, Bruxelles, 1050, Belgium

    Yves Roisin

  3. School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, 2006, New South Wales, Australia

    Nathan Lo

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Korb, J. (2010). Termite Mound Architecture, from Function to Construction. In: Bignell, D., Roisin, Y., Lo, N. (eds) Biology of Termites: a Modern Synthesis. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3977-4_13

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