The Australian outback is home to a unique ecosystem where life is abundant in extremely harsh conditions. One of the more interesting phenomena found in these regions is the high termite mounds that dot the landscape. These impressive structures are built by tiny termites and exploring these natural construction projects is the focus of our article.
Understanding Termites and Their Social Structure
Like similar structures found in Africa, Australian termite mounds have a vital role to play in the ecosystem. Termites break down dead plant materials into organic compounds that release essential nutrients back into the soil which contributes to the nutrient cycle. A termite has bacteria and protozoa in its digestive system that can break down cellulose. This is the complex carbohydrate found in grass, leaves, wood, and other organic materials.
As they break down the organic matter, the termites transport nutrients that are buried deep in the soil to the surface and vice versa. This aerates the soil, improves the soil structure, and improves drainage and water infiltration. This improves the overall health of the soil and the balance of nutrients in the local ecosystem.
Certain termite species collect seeds and carry them to their nests which improves local seed dispersion. The seeds can then germinate and grow in healthier soil which can spread plant life to other areas. Termites are also a food source for birds, reptiles, mammals, and insect predators.
The social structure within the termite mound relies on a set of specific roles and castes that contribute to the survival of the entire colony. As you will see, the social organization is similar to ants or bees, and other social insects.
Let’s take a look at the different termite castes and their roles in more detail:
1. The Queen Termite
The queen is the largest colony member, she is solely responsible for reproduction, and she can lay thousands of eggs every day. The queen can be found deep in the termite mound, and she is attended to and protected by the worker caste.
2. The King Termite
This caste also has the sole purpose to mate with the queen to ensure that her eggs are fertilized. Because it fulfills a vital role this caste is also kept deep within the termite mound where it’s attended to and protected by the workers.
3. The Workers Termite
This caste is the most numerous, it keeps the colony running smoothly by carrying out essential tasks including construction, maintenance, feeding the young, and foraging for food. Workers are focused entirely on their tasks, they are usually sterile and blind.
4. Soldiers Termite
The soldier termites are equipped with large mandibles and chemical-producing glands. Their role is to protect the termite mounds against invading insects and larger predators.
5. Alates Termite
These are also referred to as winged reproductives, they are produced if and when a termite colony reaches a certain level of maturity and/or size. The alates have the potential to become queens and kings and their role is to establish new termite colonies. This process begins with swarming and mating flights.
Every termite mound is an intricate and structured environment that is created to provide protection to its inhabitants. The design regulates the humidity, temperature, and air circulation throughout the entire mound to support the castes as they carry out their tasks.
The exact behaviour and social structure of the termites can vary depending on the species. There are termite species with simpler social structures and others that are far more elaborate. However, every termite species focuses on the division of labor and collaboration on essential tasks throughout the colony. This is the reason why termites are so successful and resilient.
The Anatomy of Termite Mounds
Termite mounds can be small and hard to notice and larger and more impressive structures over several metres in size. The size of the mound is usually an indication of the maturity of the colony and older colonies tend to be larger. The texture of these structures can vary from smooth to rough depending on the local materials used in their construction.
There are two main types of Australian termite mounds, cathedral and magnetic. Let’s take a look at them in more detail:
Cathedral Termite Mounds
- The Appearance: These are tall and slim structures that resemble cathedral spires and they can reach heights over several meters tall.
- Construction: These termite mounds are typically constructed with a mix of termite saliva, fecal matter, and soil particles. The soil is collected and mixed with the termite saliva to form a binding agent which holds the structure together.
- The Location: Cathedral termite mounds are found in Australia, Africa, and other tropical and subtropical regions.
- The Termite Builders: These mounds are built by members of the Termitidae termite family and the Nasutitermes genus is a well-known builder of cathedral mounds.
Magnetic Termite Mounds
- The Appearance: A magnetic termite mound is a flatter low-profile structure that is usually aligned in a north to south configuration.
- Construction: The termites use the magnetic field of the Earth to align their mound from north to south to improve the temperature regulation characteristics.
- The Location: These mounds are typically found in regions that have geomagnetic properties that encourage this type of construction.
- The Termite Builders: The Amitermes meridionalis termites or Northern Australia are the best known builders of magnetic termite mounds.
These termite mounds both act as central nests for their inhabitants, they provide protection from predators and the elements.
Environmental Adaptations and Climate Control of Termite Mounds
All termite mounds are marvelous examples of natural engineering to create stable and favorable environments for every caste as it carries out its various tasks. Due to their location in harsh environments, they are used to optimize the chances of survival by creating a more favorable micro climate.
The termite mounds support the local ecosystem which further increases the survivability of the colony. There are two main ways that the termite mound is used to adapt to the environment and control the climate:
- Humidity Control: The architecture of the termite mound is designed to control the humidity within the mound. The shape of the structure and the construction materials improve the moisture retention characteristics. This prevents the interior from becoming too damp or too dry to mate, lay eggs, feed the young, and perform other essential tasks.
- Temperature Regulation: The mound is constructed to regulate the internal temperature. The orientation, shape, and materials used in construction will keep the temperature relatively constant. This shields the termites from any extreme external temperature fluctuations that could threaten the survival of the colony.
These two protective features help the colony to survive and thrive in challenging conditions and a wide variety of ecosystems.
Communication and Coordination Among Termites
Termites are highly social insects, they communicate in several ways to maintain social cohesion, coordinate tasks, and share important information. Let’s look at some of the communication methods that they use:
- Touch: Termites can groom each other, touch antennae, and feed together which exchange pheromones and information between them.
- Pheromones: Chemical signals can be released from special glands or via feaces which can be used to convey different messages, such as danger, reproductive availability, trails to food sources, and more.
- Auditory: Certain termite species emit sounds by knocking their heads on surfaces or by rubbing their body parts together. The various sounds can indicate the status or needs of the colony for all termites within range.
- Vibrations: Termites can detect and produce vibrations with tapping to send alarms or convey information about nesting sites and food sources.
- Antennation: Termites can interact with other members of their colony with antennae touches.
- Swarming: When the alates leave the colony to swarm and mate they emit pheromones to attract mates, find nesting sites, and engage in mating.
- Nestmates: A termite can recognize its fellow colony members from other termites which is essential to prevent encroachments from intruders.
Good communication is a key factor in the success of a termite colony. Daily activities can be organized, adapting to environmental challenges is easier, and potential threats can be defended against.
Threats and Conservation of Termites
There are more than 2,800 known termite species and they are not considered to be endangered. Termites can be found all over the world and most of them are abundant in their habitats. All termites are highly adaptable creatures that live in a wide variety of ecosystems, such as desert, tropical, temperate, and rain forests. But, certain termite species with specialised requirements or shorter ranges could be specified as vulnerable. The use of pesticides, habitat destruction, and other factors can affect the viability of termite colonies in certain areas.
The current conservation focus is on the preservation of biodiversity and entire ecosystems. This will protect specific habitats for a number of species and this would include any at risk termite species. Termites contribute to healthy ecosystems and they act as a food source for many predators which improves the survival chances of other organisms.
Termite Mounds: Conclusion
Many of the termite mounds that are found in the Australian outback are incredible to observe up close. These natural structures are a true testament to the capabilities of these industrious insects that adapt their environment to meet their needs. The ecological contribution of termites cannot be underestimated and they instill in many people a greater appreciation for the natural world.