Zootermopsis nevadensis

(Hagen, 1874)

Nevada Dampwood Termite, Nevada Termite

Zootermopsis nevadensis is a in the Archotermopsidae, to the western United States. It is a with complex differentiation including , , , and neotenic reproductives. The species has been extensively studied for its genomic characteristics, including exceptionally high methylation levels and reduced opsin genes associated with its subterranean lifestyle. Two are recognized: Z. n. nevadensis and Z. n. nuttingi, with the latter having its sequenced.

TBC1D30 unrooted tree A by 87poatoes. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

41396 2020 688 Fig1cd by Mariko Takeuchi, Hirokazu Kuwahara, Takumi Murakami, Kazuki Takahashi, Rei Kajitani, Atsushi Toyoda, Takehiko Itoh, Moriya Ohkuma, Yuichi Hongoh. Used under a CC0 license.

41396 2020 688 Fig1ef by Mariko Takeuchi, Hirokazu Kuwahara, Takumi Murakami, Kazuki Takahashi, Rei Kajitani, Atsushi Toyoda, Takehiko Itoh, Moriya Ohkuma, Yuichi Hongoh. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Zootermopsis nevadensis: //zoʊˌoʊtərˈmɑpsɪs nɛvəˈdɛnsɪs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

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Habitat

Inhabits damp wood in cooler coastal and higher elevation areas of the western United States. Colonies are established inside wood and do not forage outside their nest. Found in desert, grassland, prairie, and rural areas of central and central-east California and central-west Nevada.

Distribution

Western United States: central and central-east California, and central-west Nevada. Coastal forest regions of the western USA.

Diet

Wood (lignocellulose). Digests wood with assistance from symbiotic protists including Streblomastix, Trichomitopsis, and Trichonympha.

Host Associations

Streblomastix - Most abundant protist in all three , especially ; vital for wood digestion
Trichomitopsis - Significantly more abundant in ; vital for wood digestion
Trichonympha - Least abundant overall with variable distribution, often peaking in middle ; vital for wood digestion

Life Cycle

development with multiple progressive larval functioning as . Final worker instars develop into one of three alternative phenotypes: (winged reproductives), neotenic reproductives, or . Alates leave the colony, mate, and found new colonies as - pairs. When die, they are replaced by neotenics that mate with siblings, leading to inbreeding in older colonies. Workers provide little or no care.

Behavior

Communicates alarm through : and drum their against the substrate when disturbed by sudden bright light or air currents. Drumming produces pulse trains at approximately 20 Hz with frequencies of 1–3 kHz depending on substrate. respond preferentially to temporal patterns rather than spectral cues for signal discrimination. feeding occurs as part of social interactions among workers.

Ecological Role

that breaks down wood in forest . protist enable digestion of lignocellulose, contributing to in dead wood .

Similar Taxa

Zootermopsis angusticollisAnother in same ; Z. nevadensis distinguished by distribution in more interior, drier regions versus coastal Pacific distribution of Z. angusticollis
Zootermopsis laticepsRelated ; Z. nevadensis has narrower and different geographic range

More Details

Genomic characteristics

of Z. n. nuttingi sequenced to study molecular traces of eusociality. Possesses only two opsin genes, the smallest number known among , resulting from tens of millions of years in dark environments. Shows approximately 280 functional genes with 63 olfactory receptors, 87 receptors, and 137 ionotropic receptors. Has 55 P450 genes and expanded gene linked to male .

DNA methylation

Displays some of the highest methylation levels found in : 12% of genomic CpGs and 58% of exonic CpGs methylated. Methylation patterns show strong differences and association with alternative splicing. Methylated genes tend to be uniformly highly expressed. Methylation patterns resemble vertebrates with gene-body methylation increasing 5'→3' and methylated gene clustering.

Immunity

Possesses 6 Gram-negative binding (GNBPs), more than other , with -specific expansions. Has 5 signaling genes overexpressed in reproductive females and 3 antimicrobial (attacin, dipericine, and a termicine orthologue).

Subspecies

Two recognized: Z. n. nevadensis and Z. n. nuttingi. The latter is the source of the sequenced and has been studied for protist distribution.