Evolution at the arid extreme: the influence of climate on sand termite colonies and fairy circles of the Namib Desert

• DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0149
• Publication Date: 2023-07-10T09:23:09Z
• Authors: Norbert Juergens; Alexander Groengr...; Felicitas Gunter
• Keywords: Desert (philosophy); Desert climate

In the hyperarid Namib Desert, sand termite Psammotermes allocerus Silvestri, 1908 (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) establishes colonies that create conspicuous, barren patches known as ‘fairy circles' on permeable, sandy soils. The central bare areas of fairy circles serve key function storing moisture received from sparse rainfall. soil texture allows rapid infiltration and percolation precipitation, while localized herbivory by termites creates patch, thereby reducing loss uptake transpiration water plants. resulting storage rain even during prolonged periods drought enables perennial life in desert environments forms a globally unique example ecosystem engineering social insects. During past decade, most publications primarily debated origin circles. Here, we contribute to special issue with focus functional evolutionary dimension structure colony two differing nest types spatially separated resources, successful adaptation extreme environment. paper is review synthesis previous work, inclusion new, relevant findings. This article part theme ‘The ecology nests: cross-taxon approach’.