Termite nests are often secondarily inhabited by other termite species ( = inquilines) that cohabit with the host. To understand this association, we studied the trail-following behaviour in two Neotropical species, Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae) and its obligatory inquiline, Inquilinitermes microcerus (Termitidae: Termitinae). Using behavioural experiments and chemical analyses, we determined that the trail-following pheromone of C. cyphergaster is made of neocembrene and (3Z,6Z,8E)-dodeca-3,6,8-trien-1-ol. Although no specific compound was identified in I. microcerus, workers were able to follow the above compounds in behavioural bioassays. Interestingly, in choice tests, C. cyphergaster prefers conspecific over heterospecific trails while I. microcerus shows the converse behaviour. In no-choice tests with whole body extracts, C. cyphergaster showed no preference for, while I. microcerus clearly avoided heterospecific trails. This seems to agree with the hypothesis that trail-following pheromones may shape the cohabitation of C. cyphergaster and I. microcerus and reinforce the idea that their cohabitation is based on conflict-avoiding strategies.

Departamento de Entomologia Universidade Federal de Viçosa Minas Gerais Brazil

Departamento de Entomologia Universidade Federal de Viçosa Minas Gerais Brazil ; Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry Prague Czech Republic

Institut de Recherche pour le Développement Unité Mixte de Recherche 211 Biogéochimie et Ecologie des Milieux Continentaux Interactions Biologiques dans les Sols Bondy France ; Laboratoire d'Ethologie Expérimentale et Comparée Equipe d'accueil 4443 Université Paris 13 Sorbonne Paris Cité Villetaneuse France

Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry Prague Czech Republic

Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry Prague Czech Republic ; Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences Czech University of Life Sciences Prague Czech Republic

Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry Prague Czech Republic ; Faculty of Science Charles University Prague Prague Czech Republic

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