title: On the mound of Macrotermes michaelseni as an organ of respiratory gas exchange.
abstract: Patterns and rates of air movements in the mounds and nests of Macrotermes michaelseni were studied using tracer methods. Wind is a significant source of energy for powering nest ventilation, despite the mound being a completely enclosed structure. Nests are ventilated by a tidal movement of air driven by temporal variation in wind speed and wind direction. Density gradients sufficiently steep to drive bulk flow by natural convection will be rare. However, metabolism-induced buoyant forces may interact with wind energy in a way that promotes homeostasis of the mound atmosphere.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA. jsturner@mailbox.syr.edu
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Turner
mesh_terms: D000392:Air Movements; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D020049:Isoptera; D012919:Social Behavior; D014691:Ventilation