Hidden aggression in termite workers: plastic defensive behaviour dependent upon social context
- Authors
- Type
- Published Article
- Journal
- Animal Behaviour
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2011
- Accepted Date
- Nov 30, 2011
- Volume
- 83
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 737–745
- Identifiers
- DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2011.12.022
- Source
- Elsevier
- Keywords
- License
- Unknown
Abstract
Highlights► We quantified the defensive behaviour of soldiers, reproductives and workers in a termite species. ► Only workers showed behavioural plasticity among the castes. ► Workers showed less aggression when accompanied by soldiers. ► They showed high aggression when accompanied by reproductives. ► Social context affects workers’ behaviour resulting in flexible colony defence.
