Mastotermes darwiniensis
Mastotermes darwiniensis | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Blattodea |
Infraorder: | Isoptera |
Family: | Mastotermitidae |
Genus: | Mastotermes |
Species: | M. darwiniensis
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Binomial name | |
Mastotermes darwiniensis Froggatt, 1897
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Mastotermes darwiniensis,
Evolutionary significance
This species shows uncanny similarities to certain
Biology
Unlike cockroaches, only the reproductives have wings (see Life cycle of termites); wings that are considerably longer than their abdomen. Alates are approximately 35 mm long with a 50 mm wingspan. Soldiers are 11–13 mm long and workers are 10–11.5 mm long.[5] The soldiers have an alarm defense system which warns nest-mates within the colony of potential dangers. Two ways they communicate these dangers is through pheromones secreted in its labial glands, and by creating vibrations through movements.[6]
Mastotermes darwiniensis is usually not very numerous, nor are the colonies large when left to natural conditions. However, when given abundant water (such as regular irrigation) and favourable food and soil conditions (such as stored timber or timber structures), populations can be enormous, numbering in the millions, quickly destroying their host. Its diet is varied, as it will eat introduced plants, damaged ivory and leather, and wood and debris, and in fact almost anything organic. It becomes a major agricultural pest, to the extent that vegetable farming has been virtually abandoned in Northern Australia[7] wherever this termite is numerous, which it is outside of the rain forest or bauxite soils.[8] It has developed the ability to bore up into a living tree and ring bark it such that it dies and becomes the center of a colony.
Mastotermes darwiniensis is the only known host of the symbiotic protozoan Mixotricha paradoxa, remarkable for its multiple bacterial symbionts.[9]
References
- ^ [1] Tree of Life Web Project. 2003. Isoptera. Termites. Version 1 January 2003 (temporary). http://tolweb.org/Isoptera/8212/2003.01.01 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/
- ^ a b https://www.ozanimals.com/Insect/Giant-Northern-Termite/Mastotermes/darwiniensis.html
- ^ http://tolweb.org/tree?group=Mastotermitidae Mastotermitidae picture
- ^ Tilyard RJ (1937) Kansas Permian insects. Part XX the cockroaches, or order Blattaria I, II Am. Journal of Science 34; 169–202, 249–276.
- ^ "Giant Northern Termite (Mastotermes darwiniensis)". Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- ISSN 1432-0762.
- ^ Hill, G.F., (1942) Termites (Isoptera) from the Australian Region. H.E. Daw, Govt. Printer, Melbourne, Austr.
- ^ Brittan EB et al. (30 authors) (1970) The Insects of Australia. Melbourne University Press. p. 285
- ISBN 978-0544859937.
Further reading
- Media related to Mastotermes darwiniensis at Wikimedia Commons
- Data related to Mastotermes darwiniensis at Wikispecies
- Weesner, F. M. (January 1960). "Evolution and biology of the termites". .
- "Mastotermitidae". Retrieved 1 December 2007.