Vibrational long-distance communication in the termitesMacrotermes natalensisandOdontotermessp.

• DOI: 10.1242/jeb.086991
• Publication Date: 2013-08-08T00:08:57Z
• Authors: Felix A. Hager; Wolfgang H. Kirchner
• Keywords: Termitidae; SIGNAL (programming language)

SUMMARY Fungus-growing higher termites build long subterranean galleries that lead outwards from the nest to foraging sites. When soldiers are disturbed, they tend drum with their heads against substrate and thereby create vibrational alarm signals. The present study aimed at describing these acoustic signals, how elicited, produced perceived, signals propagate within nests over distances in two termite species of Southern African savannah, Macrotermes natalensis an Odontotermes sp. consist trains pulses a pulse repetition rate 10–20 Hz. have physical features promote communication used as channels for long-distance communication. In M. natalensis, signal propagation velocity is ~130 m s−1 attenuated by ~0.4 dB per centimetre distance. Nestmates extremely sensitive vibrations behavioural threshold amplitude 0.012 s−2. Workers respond fast retreat into recruited source vibration. Soldiers also start reaction time about 0.3 s, amplifying intensity signal. This social through chains signal-reamplifying results relatively slow (1.3 s−1) without decrement several metres.