Termite colony ontogeny: supplemental data in the long-term assessment of reproductive lifespan, female neotenic production and colony size in Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

• Published in: Bulletin of entomological research 2007-06, Vol.97 (3), p.321-325
• Main Authors: Long, C.E., Thorne, B.L., Breisch, N.L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal populations; Animal reproduction; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; colony growth; Demecology; Entomology; Female; Females; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; insect colonies; insect development; insect reproduction; Isoptera; Isoptera - physiology; Longevity - physiology; Male; neotenic development; Population Dynamics; Population genetics; population size; Protozoa. Invertebrata; queen insects; queenless colonies; Reproduction - physiology; reproductives; Reticulitermes flavipes; Rhinotermitidae; Social Dominance; subterranean termites; Termites
• ISSN: 0007-4853; 1475-2670
• DOI: 10.1017/S0007485307004919

Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) colonies established by field-collected alates were reared in the laboratory for 11 years. Weights of members of each caste and full-colony censuses were performed regularly; the most recent 2003–2004 data are reported. Colonies averaged 11623.5±910 individuals, and with the exception of primary queens from one genetic lineage, mean weights for all castes had increased since 2001. Female replacement reproductives, or neotenics, developed to replace dead queens in clusters of either few, large individuals or many, small individuals. Regardless of cluster size, female neotenics comprised more reproductive biomass per colony than primary queens. The number and size of female neotenics was independent of colony size or time elapsed since a founding queen's death.