Moisture alone is sufficient to impart strength but not weathering resistance to termite mound soil.

ABSTRACT: Soil is used for the construction of structures by many animals, at times admixed with endogenous secretions. These additives, along with soil components, are suggested to have a role in biocementation. However, the relative contribution of endogenous and exogenous materials to soil strength has not been adequately established. Termite mounds are earthen structures with exceptional strength and durability including weathering resistance to wind and rain. With in situ and laboratory-based experiments, we demonstrate that the fungus-farming termite Odontotermes obesus which builds soil nest mounds, when given a choice, prefers soil close to its liquid limit for construction. At this moisture content, the soil-water mixture alone even in the absence of termite handling undergoes

SUBMITTER: Zachariah N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7481702 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature