Parallel evolution of mound-building and grass-feeding in Australian nasute termites.

ABSTRACT: Termite mounds built by representatives of the family Termitidae are among the most spectacular constructions in the animal kingdom, reaching 6-8 m in height and housing millions of individuals. Although functional aspects of these structures are well studied, their evolutionary origins remain poorly understood. Australian representatives of the termitid subfamily Nasutitermitinae display a wide variety of nesting habits, making them an ideal group for investigating the evolution of mound building. Because they feed on a variety of substrates, they also provide an opportunity to illuminate the evolution of termite diets. Here, we investigate the evolution of termitid mound building and diet, through a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis of Australian Nasutitermitinae. Molecular d

SUBMITTER: Arab DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5326504 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature