Keywords :
13C; 15N; Fungus grower; Isoptera; Macrotermitinae; Nitrogen Dynamics; Polyethism; Termitidae; Trophic Enrichment; Uric Acid
บทคัดย่อ :
Nitrogen and carbon isotope ratios and uric acid concentrations in fungus-growing termites (Isoptera: Termitidae: Macrotermitinae), sampled in Cameroon and Thailand, were determined in order to compare castes that are known to differ in behaviour and feeding habits. Nitrogen isotope ratios (delta ^ 15 * N) were either not significantly changed or lower in workers compared with diet (the fungus combs), whereas carbon isotope ratios (delta ^ 13 * C) were higher in worker termites than in the fungus combs. In old workers, delta ^ 15 * N values were unexpectedly low and correlated negatively with whole-body uric acid concentrations. This indicates that older workers retain uric acid, which has a low delta ^ 15 * N value, to conserve nitrogen within the colony and, furthermore, that older colony members may ultimately be consumed by younger conspecifics.
เอกสารอ้างอิง :
Tayasu, I., Hyodo, F., & Abe, T. (2002). Caste-specific N and C isotope ratios in fungus-growing termites with special reference to uric acid preservation and their nutritional interpretation. Ecological Entomology, 27(3), 355-361.
