Summary
Mature nests ofMacrotermes subhyalinus contained a mean standing crop of 6.6. kg dry weight of sterile adults, and produced 2.35 kg dry weight of alates each year. Small nests contained a much larger proportion of larvae, and somewhat different proportions of the different larval instars, both features being consistant with a rapid increase in population. They also contained a larger proportion of soldiers in the adult population than in mature nests. Mound dimensions and nest parameters were all linearly related, and positively and significantly correlated.
Resume
Des nids adultes deMacrotermes subhyalinus contenant 6,6 kg de poids sec d'adultes stériles, ont produit 2,35 kg de poids sec d'ailés chaque année. Les petits nids availent une plus grande proportion de larves, et une distribution de stades larvaires compatible avec une croissance rapide de la population du nid. Ils avaient aussi une plus grande proportion de soldats dans la population stérile adulte que les nids adultes. Les relations entre les dimensions extérieures du nid et les paramètres de la colonie sont approximativement linéaires, positives et significatives.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Collins N.M., 1981. — Populations, age structure and survivorship of colonies ofMacrotermes bellicosus (Isoptera: Termitinae).J. Anim. Ecol., 50, 293–311.
Darlington J.P.E.C., 1982. — The underground passages and storage pits used in foraging by a nest of the termiteMacrotermes michaelseni in Kajiado, Kenya.J. Zool., Lond., 198, 237–247. subhyalinus in Kenya.Insect Sci. Application, 5, 481–492.
Darlington J.P.E.C., 1984a. — Two types of mound built by the termiteMacrotermes subhyalinus in Kenya.Insect Sci. Application, 5, 481–492.
Darlington J.P.E.C., 1984b. — A method for sampling the populations of large termite nests.Ann. Appl. Biol., 104, 427–436.
Darlington J.P.E.C., 1985a. — The structure of mature mounds of the termiteMacrotermes michaelseni at Kajiado.Insect Sci. Application, 6, 149–156.
Darlington J.P.E.C., 1985b. — Multiple primary reproductives in nests of the termiteMacrotermes michaelseni (Sjöstedt). Ch. 13, 187–200. In:Caste Differentiation in Social Insects, J.A.L. Watson, B.M. Okot-Kotber and Ch. Noirot (Eds), Current Themes in Tropical Science 3. Pergamon Press, Oxford, 405 p.
Darlington J.P.E.C., 1986. — Seasonality in mature nests of the termiteMacrotermes michaelseni in Kenya.Ins. Soc., 33, 168–189.
Darlington J.P.E.C. — Turnover in the populations within mature nests of the termiteMacrotermes michaelseni in Kenya.Ins. Soc. In press.
Darlington J.P.E.C., Dransfield R.D., 1987. — Size relationships in nest populations and mound parameters in the termiteMacrotermes michaelseni in Kenya.Ins. Soc., 34, 165–180.
Sieber R., 1985. — Replacement of reproductives in Macrotermitinae (Isoptera, Termitidae). Ch. 14 201–207. In:Caste Differentiation in Social Insects, J.A.L. Watson, B.M. Okot-Kotber and Ch. Noirot (Eds.), Current Themes in Tropical Science, 3. Pergamon Press, Oxford, 405 p.
Sieber R., Darlington J.P.E.C., 1982. — Replacement of the royal pair inMacrotermes michaelseni.Insect Sci. Application, 3, 39–42.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Darlington, J.P.E.C. Populations in nests of the termiteMacrotermes subhyalinus in Kenya. Ins. Soc 37, 158–168 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02224028
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02224028