Reproductives and eggs trigger worker vibration in a subterranean termite. Issue 12 (7th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ruhland, Fanny; Moulin, Marion; Choppin, Marina; Meunier, Joël; Lucas, Christophe
• Is Part Of: Ecology and evolution. Volume 10:Issue 12(2020)
• Page Start: 5892
• Page End: 5898
• Publication Date: 2020-06-07
• Subjects: body‐shaking -- Reticulitermes flavipes -- social behavior -- termite -- vibratory communication; Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6325
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-7758

Abstract

Abstract: In insect societies, the presence of reproductives or eggs has been shown to shape several biological traits in the colony members. Social interactions are one of these traits that involve modification of the communication system of the entire colony. Many studies described the role of chemical compounds and dominance behaviors in the presence of reproductive but vibratory behaviors received very few investigations. Yet, vibratory behaviors are ideal candidates, particularly for subterranean species like termites, as they could be quickly transmitted through the substrate and could be very diversified (origin, modulation). Here, we investigated whether the presence of reproductives/eggs affects the vibratory behavior (body‐shaking) of workers in the subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes . Our results reveal that the presence of reproductives or eggs triggers an increase of workers' body‐shaking, independent of their colony of origin after 24 hr. We hypothesize that vibratory communication could be used to transfer information about the presence of reproductives and eggs to the entire colony, suggesting that vibratory behaviors could serve as an important yet neglected mediator of social regulation. Abstract : In the termite Reticulitermes flavipes, a modification of the social composition (presence/absence of reproductives and/or eggs) triggers a vibratory behavior in workers. This behavior is widespread among termites and was described so far as an alarm behavior. This brings new insight into the overlooked role of vibratory communication as a mediator of social regulation in insects.