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Sibling manipulation and indirect fitness in termites

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Summary

Various termite researchers have noted the presence of wing pad damage apparently due to bites inflicted by other colony members. Some have reported regression of nymphal development in response to the damage. I show that the kalotermitid species Pterotermes occidentis displays significant frequencies of damaged termites in mature (alate producing) colonies, but no damage in immature colonies. Damaged termites typically develop toward the worker form (Table 1). I hypothesize that workers are biting siblings to recruit more workers and thereby improve their indirect fitness.

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  1. Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, 85721, Tucson, Arizona, USA

    Ross B. Zimmerman

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  1. Ross B. Zimmerman
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Zimmerman, R.B. Sibling manipulation and indirect fitness in termites. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 12, 143–145 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00343205

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00343205

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