119
Views
8
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

Endogenous synchronization of the chemical signature of Reticulitermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) worker termites

, , &
Pages 202-208 | Accepted 28 Jun 2010, Published online: 31 May 2013
 

Abstract

Termites of the genus Reticulitermes are characteristic of temperate regions. Their colonies comprise various castes, the most numerous being that of workers which can develop into soldiers or secondary reproductives (neotenics). Each caste has a mixture of hydrocarbons (HCs) on the cuticle forming a chemical signature. The primary aim of this study was to compare the changes in the chemical signature of a population of worker termites fed on paper with juvenile hormone to differentiate them into soldiers with a control population of termites fed only on paper or wood for one month. Gas chromatography was used to analyze the cuticular profiles of Reticulitermes flavipes termites to determine whether they changed, and, if so, when and how. The data collected over one month showed that the workers fed with JH did not differentiate into soldiers but that there were progressive changes in the hydrocarbon profile independent of the treatment. These results indicate that the differentiation of the chemical signature of the worker caste is a dynamic process, depending only on time and not on colony membership, confirming that, for these termites, this signature has a lesser role in colony membership than caste membership, unlike the chemical signatures of other social insects. The temporal process of this cuticular change is also associated with a change in the alkene/methyl-branched alkane ratio.

Résumé

Synchronization endogène de la signature chimique des termites ouvriers du genre Reticulitermes (Isoptera : Rhinotermitidae). Les termites du genre Reticulitermes sont courants dans nos régions tempérées. Leurs sociétés sont composées de différentes castes, celle des ouvriers étant la plus abondante, les individus pouvant y évoluer en soldats ou reproducteurs secondaires. Chaque caste possède une mixture de composés cuticulaires (hydrocarbures) formant une signature chimique quantitative propre à chacune. Le but au départ de cette étude était de comparer la signature chromatographique d’ouvriers Reticulitermes flavipes nourris par de l’hormone juvénile pour suivre la modification de signature chimique lors de leur induction en soldat. L’expérience qui a duré plus d’un mois n’a pas permis la différentiation en soldat mais a permis de montrer que la signature chimique des ouvriers subissait une modification synchrone pour les 3 colonies analysées, quelque soit le traitement subi, l’environnement, et sans montrer de variations coloniales, à la différence des variations classiquement vues chez les autres insectes sociaux. Ce processus dynamique est également concomitant à la modification de proportions de différentes composés (méthylés versus insaturés) au cours des semaines.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.