Energy consumption of termite colonies of Nasutitermes ephratae (Isoptera: Termitidae).
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.
Dpto. Biología de Organismos, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Caracas, Venezuela.
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Muradian
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Issa
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Jaffe
D000220:Adaptation, Biological / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D018533:Biomass; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004526:Efficiency; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006126:Group Processes; D020049:Isoptera / Q000502:physiology*; D011156:Population Density; D012931:Social Environment; D013045:Species Specificity; D013696:Temperature
D002245:Carbon Dioxide