Coptotermes colonies usually produce nymphs when a colony reaches maturity. In this study, we describe a rare case of nymph production from a 10-mo-old colony that previously had lost a primary reproductive. Such replacement reproductives are not functional. We suggest that the unusual developmental plasticity we observed may be the result of a vestigial developmental pathway that may partially regain its functionality in mature colonies.
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1 September 2015
Rare Production of Nymphs in an Asian Subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) Incipient Colony
Thomas Chouvenc,
Aaron J. Mullins,
Nan-Yao Su
Florida Entomologist
Vol. 98 • No. 3
September 2015
Vol. 98 • No. 3
September 2015
Coptotermes
developmental plasticity
neotenic
neoténico
plasticidad del desarrollo
replacement reproductive
reproductiva de reemplazo