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Theories on the Sociality of Termites

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Termites: Evolution, Sociality, Symbioses, Ecology

Abstract

This chapter reviews social evolution and organization, highlighting termites. First, we review the distribution and evolutionary patterns of eusociality, characterized by the sterile worker and soldier castes, comparing the Hymenoptera (ants, bees and wasps) and Isoptera (termites). Second, we summarize theories of the origin of sociality: on kin selection, and on conflict and its resolution. We discuss social evolution and social organization with respect to social insects in general; specifically, the difference in the conditions for the evolution of the soldier and worker castes and the relationship between between social evolution and social organization. We then describe the case of termites, focusing on its unique features, that is, the presence of false (non-sterile) workers in some species instead of regular (sterile) workers (in contrast with false workers, called “true workers”) and the general presence of the soldier caste.

Masahiko Higashi and Takuya Abe died in the Sea of Cortez on 27 March 2000.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan

    Masahiko Higashi, Norio Yamamura & Takuya Abe

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  1. Masahiko Higashi
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  2. Norio Yamamura
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  3. Takuya Abe
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  1. Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, 520-2113, Kamitanakami-Hirano, Otsu, Japan

    Takuya Abe  & Masahiko Higashi  & 

  2. School of Biological Sciences, Queen Mary & Westfield College, University of London, E1 4NS, London, UK

    David Edward Bignell

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Higashi, M., Yamamura, N., Abe, T. (2000). Theories on the Sociality of Termites. In: Abe, T., Bignell, D.E., Higashi, M. (eds) Termites: Evolution, Sociality, Symbioses, Ecology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-3223-9_8

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