Glândula frontal dos soldados de Syntermitinae (Termitidae): uma abordagem ultraestrutural e comportamental dessa nova subfamília de cupins

Abstract

The frontal gland of termite soldiers produces compounds that act in the defense of the colony. Morphologically, soldiers are responsible for defending the nest against natural enemies, but factors such as density and environmental issues can modify the defensive behavior of this caste. Soldiers of Syntermitinae have morphological characteristics that define the subfamily: presence of a nasus (projection of the head) and functional jaws. The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavioral defense repertoire of Syntermitinae soldiers in the social context under laboratory conditions. The following species were used in this study: Cornitermes cumulans, Embiratermes festivellus, Procornitermes araujoi, Silvestritermes euamignathus and Syntermes obtusus. Both soldiers and workers participated in the defense of the colony. Attacks by both castes resulted in injuries or death of intruders and morphologically related species showed similar behavioral patterns. Additionally, our results suggest that soldiers modulate their behavioral responses according to the type of intruder. On the other hand, the frontal gland secretion was able to induce alarm behavior only in C. cumulans and P. araujoi. The results suggested that the defensive behavior is not restricted to soldiers and the responses varied according the social context involved.