Biology of Termites: a Modern Synthesis [Hardcover]

Biology of Termites, a Modern Synthesis brings together the major advances in termite biology, phylogenetics, social evolution and biogeography. In this new volume, David Bignell, Yves Roisin and Nathan Lo have brought together leading experts on termite taxonomy, behaviour, genetics, caste differentiation, physiology, microbiology, mound architecture, biogeography and control. Very strong evolutionary and developmental themes run through the individual chapters, fed by new data streams from molecular sequencing, and for the first time it is possible to compare the social organisation of termites with that of the social Hymenoptera, focusing on caste determination, population genetics, cooperative behaviour, nest hygiene and symbioses with microorganisms. New chapters have been added on termite pheromones, termites as pests of agriculture and on destructive invasive species.1. An introduction to termites: biology, taxonomy and functional morphology (Paul Eggleton)1.1. Introduction1.2. Diversity, taxonomy, classification1.3. The colony1.4. The colony as (super)organism1.5. Reproduction and dispersal: alates1.6. Worker morphology1.7. Construction, feeding and tending1.8. Active defence: soldiers1.9. Protection, stability, fortification: nests and mounds1.10. ConclusionsReferences2. Termite phylogenetics and co-cladogenesis with symbionts (Nathan Lo, Paul Eggleton)2.1.Introduction2.2. Phylogenetic2.3. Co-cladogenesis between cockroaches, termites, and their symbionts2.4. Fossil history and key events leading to the origin of termites2.5. Taxonomic implications of the phylogenetic position of termites2.6. Termite phylogeny: morphological character sets2.7. Phylogenetic and taxonomic relationships among Termites2.8. ConclusionsReferences3. Evolution and function of endogenous termite cellulases (Nathan Lo, Gaku Tokuda, Hirofumi Watanabe)3.1. Introduction3.2. Cellulose and cellulases3.3. A brief history of cellulose research3.4. Discovery of endogenous cellulose genes andlÓ"