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The structure of mature mounds of the termite Macrotermes michaelseni in Kenya

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 April 2017

Johanna P. E. C. Darlington
Johanna P. E. C. Darlington
Affiliation:
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya
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Abstract

The termite Macrotermes michaelseni (Sjöstedt) builds conical earth mounds with no external openings. The structure of the nests is described. The fungus combs and the nursery are in separate parts of a single hive chamber, and thus occupy the same air space. A closed system of inter-connected passages in the mound facilitates loss of metabolic heat to the atmosphere.

Keywords

Macrotermes michaelsenimound structureventilationflightingKenya
Type
Research Articles
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 6 , Issue 2 , April 1985 , pp. 149 - 156
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1985

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References

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