Differentiation of worker‐derived intercastes and precocious imagoes after queen removal in the Neo‐Guinean termite Nasutitermes princeps (Desneux)
- 1 September 1986
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Journal of Morphology
- Vol. 189 (3), 281-293
- https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.1051890307
Abstract
Numerous female workers underwent a beginning of sexualization in an experimentally orphaned colony of the Neo-Guinean termite N. princeps (Desneux). This led to the development of intercastes, displaying variable mosaics of worker, nymph, and soldier characteristics. The developmental pathways of these intercastes were studied with the help of multivariate techniques that revealed two main lines, one ending in a new “giant soldier” morph, the other proceeding toward the differentiation of nymphal characters, i.e., wing pads and compound eyes. It is not known whether these individuals might ultimately have become functional. Precocious adults resulting from a shortened nymphal course were also present, and one young replacement queen had already begun laying eggs.This publication has 11 references indexed in Scilit:
- Replacement of reproductives in Nasutitermes princeps (Desneux) (Isoptera: Termitidae)Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 1986
- Imaginal polymorphism and polygyny in the Neo-Guinean termiteNasutitermes princeps (Desneux)Insectes Sociaux, 1985
- Nymph–soldier intercastes in Nasutitermes lujae and N. columbicus (Isoptera; Termitidae)Canadian Journal of Zoology, 1984
- Ergatoid reproductives in Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky) (Isoptera: Termitidae)International Journal of Insect Morphology and Embryology, 1982
- A multivariate study of mandibular characters in fifth instar workers and nymphs ofDrepanotermes perniger (Froggatt) (Isoptera: Termitinae)Insectes Sociaux, 1975
- Non-reproductive castes and their development inNasutitermes exitiosus (Hill) (Isoptera)Insectes Sociaux, 1975
- Caste Development and Its Seasonal Cycle in the Australian Harvester Termite, Drepanotermes Perniger (Froggatt) (Isoptera; Termitinae).Australian Journal of Zoology, 1974
- Formation of Castes in the Higher Termites**Translated from the French by Mina Parsont and Frances M. Weesner.Published by Elsevier BV ,1969
- SOLDIER-REPRODUCTIVE INTERCASTES IN A SPECIES OF TUMULITERMES (ISOPTERA: TERMITIDAE)Australian Journal of Entomology, 1968
- New termite intercastesProceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B - Biological Sciences, 1940