A truly unique "farmer" - Sphaerotermes sphaerothorax

[ItalianTermiteMan]

Hello there forum! Today i'm going to share a few pics and words about Sphaerotermes sphaerothorax, a very peculiar termite closely related to the fungus-growing species (subfamily Macrotermitinae) but hailing from a different subfamily, Sphaerotermitinae, of which it is the only member. These termites found only in the humid forests of the Congo basin live in complex and fully hypogeal (built underground) termitaries inside which they build alveolar cellulose-based combs similar to those found in Macrotermitinae, however they don't use them to cultivate fungi but rather specific bacteria, truly an unique adaptation! These bacteria, which are true obligate symbionts that can only exist in association with Sphaerotermes, then process the combs themselves into a product edible to their caretakers. Sadly, as it's common in termites, knowledge about this species is rather scant, despite the extreme peculiarity of their biology.

All pics by Dr. Jan Sobotnik (Termite Research Team); Ebogo, Camerun.
Shared with permission.



Soldiers of S. sphaerothorax on the guard. These employ cutting-type mandibles and (judging by the quite prominent fontanelle)
a defensive fluid produced in the frontal gland to protect their colonies.



A mature, physogastric queen of S. sphaerothorax surrounded by soldiers and workers.



A partially excavated nest of S. sphaerothorax.