Energy consumption of termite colonies of Nasutitermes ephratae (Isoptera: Termitidae).

Physiol Behav

Dpto. Biología de Organismos, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Caracas, Venezuela.

Published: July 1999

Measurements of CO2 production of whole termite colonies showed that respiration intensity varies slightly during the daily cycle, that the relation between standard metabolism and colony size is best described with a negative exponential, taking into account the proportion of the various castes. Larger colonies were more efficient in their energy use, suggesting that energetic considerations may contribute in explaining the maintenance in evolution of complex societies.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0031-9384(99)00011-6DOI Listing

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