Behavioural Adaptations in Social Animals | Biology for JAMB PDF Download

Introduction

Social animals, including social insects like termites, display remarkable behavioural adaptations that enable them to function efficiently within their colonies or hives. These adaptations involve the differentiation of various castes, each with specific roles and responsibilities. This note aims to explore the different castes found in social insects like termites and their functions within their respective colonies.

Queen

• The queen termite is the largest member of the colony and the primary reproductive individual.
• She possesses a highly specialized reproductive system and is responsible for laying eggs.
• The queen releases pheromones that regulate the behavior and development of other members of the colony.
  Example: In a termite colony, there is typically a single queen responsible for laying eggs, such as the queen termite in a termite mound.

King

• The king termite is the reproductive partner of the queen.
• He fertilizes the queen's eggs and contributes to the colony's reproductive cycle.
• The king's primary role is to ensure the continuation of the colony.
  Example: The king termite works in conjunction with the queen, helping to maintain the population of the colony.

Workers

• Workers make up the majority of the termite colony and perform various tasks crucial to the colony's survival.
• They construct and repair the nest, gather food, care for the young, and maintain the overall functioning of the colony.
• Workers have different morphological features depending on their specific tasks, such as soldiers with enlarged jaws for defense.
  Example: In a termite colony, workers are responsible for gathering food, constructing tunnels, and taking care of the young termites.

Soldiers

• Soldiers have specialized adaptations for defense and protection of the colony.
• They possess larger mandibles or other defensive structures to ward off predators.
• Soldiers may also release chemical signals to communicate danger or signal for help.
  Example: Termite soldiers are responsible for protecting the colony from threats such as ants or other predators.

Conclusion

The social organization of social insects like termites involves the differentiation of various castes, each with distinct roles and functions within the colony. The queen and king termites are responsible for reproduction, while the workers perform tasks essential for the colony's survival. Soldiers, on the other hand, defend the colony from potential threats. Understanding the different castes in social insects provides insights into the complex social behavior and adaptations that contribute to their successful coexistence within their colonies.