Formosan Subterranean Termite Communication Mechanical Sensory System Hairlike

Formosan Subterranean Termite Communication

Mechanical Sensory System: Hair-like extensions on exoskeleton The hairs enable termites to react to touch, pressure and vibration

Mechanical Sensory System: Hair-like extensions on exoskeleton • Soldiers utilize the mechanical sensory system by hitting their heads against the walls, producing vibrations warning others about possible danger

Chemical Sensory System: Chemical Receptors • One area that chemical receptors can be found is on the antennae • Detect different pheromones (chemicals) Antennal segment of Schedorhinotermes lamanianus http: //www. uni-bayreuth. de/departments/tphys/kaib 2. html • Holes found on the exoskeleton that allow air and other chemicals to enter the termite body

Grooming and Communicating • Grooming cleans the body of soil, fungus, bacteria, and parasites • Grooming stimulates the mechanical sensory system and chemical receptors • Grooming activates feeding behavior, which leads to the exchange of liquid food and or chemicals released by various caste members

Termite Feeding and the Protozoa + =

Symbiotic Relationship Association of two dissimilar organisms in a beneficial relationship Spirotrichonympha leidyi Koidzumi + Holomastigotoides hartmanni Koidzumi Pseudotrichonympha grassii Koidzumi Formosan Subterranean Termites (Kingdom Animalia) Protozoa (Kingdom Protista)

The Benefits of the Symbiotic Relationship The Protozoan receives: 1. A home (shelter) by living in the termite gut. 2. Cellulose (food) from wood that the termite eats The cellulose is digested and acetate, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and methane are produced and released. The Termites receives/absorbs: 1. Acetate produced by the Protozoa. The termites use the acetate as their energy source to carry out daily bodily functions.

The Transfer of Protozoa in a NEW colony The queen and the king are responsible for feeding and passing on the protozoa to the offspring in the new colony.

The Transfer of Protozoa in an OLDER Colony The workers are responsible for feeding and transferring the protozoa in an older colony. Stomadeal Feeding • Passing partially digested food with the mouth to another termite. Proctodeal Feeding • Receiving food from the anus.

External Anatomy of a Termite Identification of Body Sections head thorax 1. Head = The eyes, antennae, and mouthparts are on the head. 2. Thorax = The 3 pairs of legs are attached to the thorax. abdomen 3. Abdomen = The abdomen holds all reproductive organs.

Internal Anatomy of a Termite How wood is digested 1. Pieces of wood enters the mouth. 2. Wood is ground in the crop. 3. Wood particles enters the hind gut and are consumed by the protozoans, who release acetate, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and methane. 4. Acetate release by protozoa is absorbed by the termite 5. Digested material passed out of the anus to feed others or build carton

Energy Source Omnivore Carnivore Consumers/ Hetertrophs Producers Herbivore SOIL BACTERIA (decomposers) Producer