Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
Fig. 13.2
The existence of different castes in the social insects has allowed evolution
to produce an amazing range of morphs that are specialized to particular tasks.
Spectacular soldier morphs include: (a)
Zootemopsis nevadensis,
a dampwood termite
whose large jaws are used to fight against competing colonies of the same species;
(b) Nasute termite soldiers (Termitidae) can squirt a noxious sticky substance out of their
snouts; (c) army ant (
Eciton
burchelli) soldiers have hooked mandibles to protect against
vertebrate predators (humans have been known to use these jaws as 'stitches' to seal
wounds); note the smaller worker - this species has a relatively complex caste system
with at least four types of workers. Other specializations include: (d) soldiers of the turtle
ant
Cephalotes varians
, which use the bizarre disc on their head as a living door to block
the nest entrance; (e) the mandibles of the leaf cutter ant
Atta texana
are used to
cut through leaves with a repeated scissoring motion, where the leading mandible
is anchored into the leaf and pulls the trailing mandible to make the cut; (f) replete
workers of the honeypot ant,
Myrmecocystus mexicanus,
become engorged with food
and hang from the ceilings of chambers deep underground, acting as 'living storage
vessels'. All photos © Alex Wild.
