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Testing variation of locomotor activity and work within families of a social African mole-rat (\kur{Fukomys darlingi}), using the Trovan technology electronic identification system
ENGLOVÁ, Terezie
Activity of social mole-rats´ and their contribution to work and cooperative tasks are explained by two different types of polyethism, caste and age polyethism. Behavioural castes, based on different contributions to cooperative tasks were defined in many mole- rats´ species. However, additional experiments which would simulate higher working activity through manipulation with substrate or removal of some family members are rare. Contrary, in field and different laboratory studies, differences between individuals in the amount of work performed and task allocation were rather continual, and based on age (body mass). This study reveals locomotor and working activity of five families of Fukomys darlingi (43 individuals) which were obtained by radio-identification monitoring system and personal observation. Each family was tested twice, for the first time established families were tested and then after removal of most active workers. The Activity is related to individuals´ body mass, sex and reproductive status.
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Ontogeny of soldier behaviour and its polyethism in termites
Homolka, Petr ; Šobotník, Jan (advisor) ; Frouz, Jan (referee)
The presence of soldier caste is an important synapomorphy of group Isoptera. The adaptation of this caste to defense tasks is more than obvious and some of their morphological or even behavioral adaptations can be quite impressive. The polyethism in termites is relatively well known inbetween rather worker caste. If there are such a studies pointing at polyethism in soldiers, they are connected with soldier polymorphism. The morphological differences are of course important stimulus to role separation. The goal of this thesis was to examine the polyethism in the species of the termite with monomorphic soldiers - Prorhinotermes simplex. I did behavioral experiments with it in enclosed arenas, recorded on specific days. The data shows, that there are differences inbetween individuals and it would be benefical to invest further time to subsequent studies. The thesis bring out new point of view to defensive behaviour of termites and suggests, that even termite species without polymorphic species may have soldiers with different tasks. Besides I managed to map ontogeny of soldier behaviour in the first two weeks after moulting from presoldier instar. Key words: Isoptera, polyethism, soldiers, ontogeny, defensive behaviour Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
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Ontogeny of soldier behaviour and its polyethism in termites
Homolka, Petr ; Šobotník, Jan (advisor) ; Frouz, Jan (referee)
The presence of soldier caste is an important synapomorphy of group Isoptera. The adaptation of this caste to defense tasks is more than obvious and some of their morphological or even behavioral adaptations can be quite impressive. The polyethism in termites is relatively well known inbetween rather worker caste. If there are such a studies pointing at polyethism in soldiers, they are connected with soldier polymorphism. The morphological differences are of course important stimulus to role separation. The goal of this thesis was to examine the polyethism in the species of the termite with monomorphic soldiers - Prorhinotermes simplex. I did behavioral experiments with it in enclosed arenas, recorded on specific days. The data shows, that there are differences inbetween individuals and it would be benefical to invest further time to subsequent studies. The thesis bring out new point of view to defensive behaviour of termites and suggests, that even termite species without polymorphic species may have soldiers with different tasks. Besides I managed to map ontogeny of soldier behaviour in the first two weeks after moulting from presoldier instar. Key words: Isoptera, polyethism, soldiers, ontogeny, defensive behaviour Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
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Termite behaviour and polyethisms during colony defence
Homolka, Petr ; Šobotník, Jan (advisor) ; Straka, Jakub (referee)
My bachelor thesis deals with the various defensive adaptations of termites, not only in specialized caste of defenders, the soldiers, but also in members of other castes. Termites are the eldest group of eusocial insects on the planet and their defence systems are indeed impressive. I tried to describe the defensive strategies in general, morphological, anatomical and behavioral adaptations of termites to defence, and also major termites enemies. At the end I also sum up the knowledge on polyethism, which should be the aim of my future thesis.
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