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STRUCTURE BETRAYS FUNCTION. “The mound’s differentiated structure is important to its function. The mound is a wind-driven lung that intercepts kinetic energy in turbulent wind and filters it through an elaborate network of tunnels that ultimately connects the nest air to the atmosphere. For many years, it was thought this tunnel network served to direct bulk flows of air through the nest, driven either by buoyant nest air heated by the colony’s metabolism, or by tapping into boundary layer gradients in wind speed.” https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12304-016-9256-5 View in LinkedIn

EXOPULMONARY ORGAN. “The structure of the Macrotermes mound is strongly differentiated from that of the nest, which is the genus’ fourth distinctive feature: the mound is an organ of “extended physiology” that serves a physiological function, capturing energy in turbulent wind to power respiratory gas exchange for the colony. The need for such an organ is considerable: the collective metabolism of the termites and fungi is equivalent to that of medium-size to large domestic livestock.” https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12304-016-9256-5 View in LinkedIn

THE EXTERNAL MOUND. “Macrotermes colonies characteristically build prominent above-ground structures that can rise several meters above the nest. Although the mound-building habit is found among other termites, such as the dramatic blade-like “magnetic” mounds built by the Australian termite Amitermes meridionalis, these other mounds invariably serve as the colony’s residence . The Macrotermes colony, in contrast, does not inhabit its mound, but is situated in the subterranean nest.” https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12304-016-9256-5 View in LinkedIn

INSECT LIVESTOCK FARMERS. “Where most other termites rely solely on intestinal symbionts for the digestion of their woody diets, Macrotermes have partially outsourced cellulose digestion to cultures of a symbiotic fungus, Termitomyces. The fungi are cultivated on numerous so-called fungus combs that are housed in special gallery chambers within the nest. The combs are built by workers from macerated woody material that is brought back to the nest and inoculated with fungal spores. The fungi then partially digest the woody forage, and this composted material serves as an enriched diet for the colony.” Just like Leafcutter ants thousands of miles away. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12304-016-9256-5 View in LinkedIn