Resumo
Groups of Heterotemies tenuis (Hagen, 1858) from five infestation points were paired in bioassays to investigate the intercolony aggression. The combinations of arena sizes (Petri dishes of 6.0 and 9.0 cm) and temperatures (25 and 28 ºC) were assessed for effects on intraspecific agonism. Agonistic behavior was scored positive in arena if more than half of the starting number of termites was dead and injured after 17 hours. After the intraspecific encounters it was possible to delimitate three colonies from the five infestation points. No significant differential survival was seen in two different arena sizes and two different temperatures. These assays indicate that the factors governing the agonistic behavior in H. tenuis are complex and seems to be dependent on environmental conditions and individual characteristies (age, size and caste).
Isoptera; Rhinotermitidae; Heterotermes tenuis; intraspecific behavior
Isoptera; Rhinotermitidae; Heterotermes tenuis; intraspecific behavior
Comportamento intra-específico do cupim Heterotermes tenuis (Hagen) (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae) em condições de laboratório
Intraspecific behavior of the termite Heterotermes tenuis (Hagen) (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae) in laboratory conditions
Célia R.R. de Camargo-Dietrich; Ana Maria Costa-Leonardo
Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista. Caixa Postal 199, 13506-900 Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brasil. E-mail: amcl@rc.unesp.br
ABSTRACT
Groups of Heterotemies tenuis (Hagen, 1858) from five infestation points were paired in bioassays to investigate the intercolony aggression. The combinations of arena sizes (Petri dishes of 6.0 and 9.0 cm) and temperatures (25 and 28 ºC) were assessed for effects on intraspecific agonism. Agonistic behavior was scored positive in arena if more than half of the starting number of termites was dead and injured after 17 hours. After the intraspecific encounters it was possible to delimitate three colonies from the five infestation points. No significant differential survival was seen in two different arena sizes and two different temperatures. These assays indicate that the factors governing the agonistic behavior in H. tenuis are complex and seems to be dependent on environmental conditions and individual characteristies (age, size and caste).
Key words: Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae, Heterotermes tenuis, intraspecific behavior.
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AGRADECIMENTOS. Os autores agradecem ao Dr. Antônio Carlos Simões Pião pela ajuda nas análises estatísticas, ao Dr. José Chaud-Netto pela leitura do manuscrito e ao CNPq pelo apoio financeiro.
Recebido em 19.VIII.1999; aceito em 18.IV.2000.
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Datas de Publicação
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Publicação nesta coleção
12 Maio 2009 -
Data do Fascículo
Jun 2000
Histórico
-
Recebido
19 Ago 1999 -
Aceito
18 Abr 2000
