Fatores envolvidos na sobrevivência de termitófilos fisográtricos: ninfas e tamanho do grupo do hospedeiro.

Abstract

Termitophiles have evolved strategies throughout their evolution to circumvent the termite recognition and defense system, exploiting termite colonies for survival as if they were family members. Field and laboratory observations consistently reveal a greater abundance of these opportunists in nest areas where the population density of termites, nymphs and eggs is high. This suggests that termitophiles benefit from remaining close to immature termites within colonies. In this study, we investigated the hypothesis that food exchanges between termites and termitophiles, as well as the survival of these invaders, are enhanced in the presence of immature termite hosts. Using the termite Constrictotermes cyphergaster and the beetle termitophile Corotoca fontesi as model species, we found that termite nymphs did not positively influence the survival time of termitophile beetles. Furthermore, there was no significant increase in the frequency of trophallaxis events between beetles and termites in the presence of nymphs. However, we emphasize that artificial conditions may not accurately replicate natural environments. Therefore, it is still premature to assert the role of immature termites in the cohabitation process of termite colonies by termitophiles, underscoring the complexity of these interactions and the mechanisms involved in such cohabitation.