JOURNAL of Soil Biology and Ecology

Design and architecture of the subterranean nest of Odontotermes horni (Wasmann)

Author: N. G. KUMAR

Abstract :

Odontotermes horni constructed the earthen sheetings using the sub-soil on the food sources externally while foraging. The nest distributed in 7.50 to 9.24 sqm area. The fungal chambers varied in size, distributed in a multilocular fashion from 32 to 150 cm below the ground. The giant fungal chamber near the royal chamber serves as the primary depository. The royal chamber was simple, located at 70.6 to 95.5 cm below the ground, more or less in the central region of the nest. Incubation cavities were present below the royal chamber. A flat alate waiting chamber was located 46 cm below the ground. 

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