Agonistic Behavior of Workers from the subfamilies Nasutitermitinae and Apicotermitinae (Insecta: Isoptera, Termitidae)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30972/fac.1617745Keywords:
Termites, Agomism, Workers, Nasutitermitinae, Apicotermitinae, Neotropical speciesAbstract
The defensive and offensive behavior of Nasutitermitinae and Apicotermitinae workers was analyzed through laboratory bioassays, in order to establish if the aggressiveness is more pronounced in the soldierless species (Apicotermitinae). Ten pairings of five species distributed within the province of Corrientes (Argentina): Nasutitermes aquilinas, N. corniger, N. fulviceps, Anoplotermes cingulatus and Grigiotermes bequaerti, were performed. All the interspecific encounters showed aggressive actions. The comparisons of the mortality of both species within each pairing were significantly different in seven of them (Mann-Whitney U test, α = 0,05). Considering also the values of the Adjusted Aggression Index (AAI), a “dominant" or more aggressive species was determined for those bioassays. The analysis of total mortality among pairings allowed to separate the altematives according to the agonism level (slight, modérate or strong) (Kruskall-Wallis, múltiple comparisons test of Dwass, Steel, Crichtlow and Fligner, α = 0,05). The possible causes are discussed. Worker behavior was similar in both subfamilies and the intensity of aggressive responses for each species showed differences according to the opponent, without greater aggressiveness of Apicotermitinae workers.
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