Meeting Abstract

18.4  Monday, Jan. 4  A Couple or a Crowd? Factors influencing founding group size in the termite Nasutitermes corniger HARTKE, T.R.*; ROSENGAUS, R.B.; Northeastern University, Boston; Northeastern University, Boston hartke.t@neu.edu

Mature nests of the highly-derived, neotropical termite Nasutitermes corniger have been found to contain multiple unrelated queens and kings. Nest dissections have indicated that these primary reproductives are the same age, suggesting colonies may be founded by multiple reproductives rather than solely by monogamous pairs as in most other termite species. The frequency with which these multiple founding associations (MFAs) occur, and the factors influencing their formation, have yet to be studied. Our research explores the preferences of N. corniger reproductives during mate choice and the first 60 days of colony development under semi-natural conditions. Microcosm experiments were conducted with uniform nest site availability under four population densities; mesocosms were under a full factorial design with three nest site levels and two population densities. Results indicate that reproductives from certain parental colonies more frequently founded incipient colonies in MFAs. Higher population density increased the proportion of colonies founded by groups rather than pairs. These results indicate the possibility of a genetic basis for group colony foundation, as has been found in fire ants. Ecological conditions encountered by dispersing reproductives, including heterospecific and conspecific competition for limited nesting sites, may further promote MFAs.