Alarm communication in termites

0582857 - ÚOCHB 2024 FR eng A - Abstract
Sillam-Dusses, D. - Jandák, V. - Stiblík, P. - Delattre, O. - Chouvenc, T. - Balvín, O. - Cvačka, Josef - Soulet, D. - Synek, J. - Brothánek, M. - Jiříček, O. - Engel, M. - Bourguignon, T. - Šobotník, J.
Alarm communication in termites.
31ème colloque de la section française de l'Union Internationale pour l'Etude des Insectes Sociaux. Toulouse, 2023.
[Colloque de la section française de l'Union Internationale pour l'Etude des Insectes Sociaux /31./. 28.08.2023-30.08.2023, Toulouse]
Institutional support: RVO:61388963
Keywords : termites * vibroacoustic * chemical communication
OECD category: Analytical chemistry
https://uieis-sf-2023.sciencesconf.org/data/pages/UIEIS_2023_resumes_2.pdf

Termites (Blattodea: Isoptera) have evolved specialized defensive strategies for colony Protection. Alarm communication enables workers to escape threats while soldiers are recruited to the source of disturbance. We studied the vibroacoustic and chemical alarm communication in the wood roach Cryptocercus and in 20 termite species including seven of the nine termite families, all life-types, and all feeding and nesting habits. Our multidisciplinary approach shows that vibratory alarm signals represent an ethological synapomorphy of termites and Cryptocercus. In contrast, chemical alarms have evolved independently at least twice in termites. Vibroacoustic alarm signaling patterns are the most complex in Neoisoptera, the most advanced termites, in which they are often combined with chemicalsignals. The alarm characters correlate to phylogenetic position, food type and hardness, foraging area size, and nesting habits. Overall, species of Neoisoptera have developed the most sophisticated communication system amongst termites, potentially contributing to their ecological success.
Permanent Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0350906