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Estimation of foraging territories of Reticulitermes grassei through mark–release–recapture
Author(s) -
Nobre T.,
Nunes L.,
Bignell D.E.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
entomologia experimentalis et applicata
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.765
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1570-7458
pISSN - 0013-8703
DOI - 10.1111/j.1570-7458.2007.00530.x
Subject(s) - foraging , reticulitermes , biology , context (archaeology) , mark and recapture , rhinotermitidae , ecology , range (aeronautics) , zoology , population , demography , paleontology , materials science , composite material , sociology
Subterranean termites have highly cryptic life habits and their foraging activities are as a rule confined to below‐ground level gallery systems. Mark–release–recapture (MRR) using fat‐soluble histological dyes is a candidate method for the study of foraging dynamics and territories, but has not hitherto been standardized experimentally. A wide range of dye types and concentrations is reported in the literature. In this study, six potential dyes were evaluated at different concentrations for marking workers of Reticulitermes grassei (Clément) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), under laboratory and simulated field conditions. Neutral red (1% wt/wt) was considered the most effective while showing acceptably low toxicity. In a subsequent field trial using dye impregnated into a wooden bait, the MMR procedure was used to map the foraging territory perimeter of a single colony. Assumptions inherent in the interpretation of MMR data are reviewed. To map the foraging territory perimeter by this method, two theoretical approaches are defined (a conservative and a non‐conservative hypothesis). We show that the approach adopted may affect the estimate obtained by as much as 100%. Results are discussed in the context of the ecology and behaviour of subterranean termite colonies.