Context‐dependent expression of variation in defensive behaviour in the lower termite Zootermopsis nevadensis

Eusocial animals exhibit a sophisticated division of labour. The self-organized colony requires coordination of local interactions at the individual level. Termites are a well-known group exhibiting social organization among castes within a colony, and helper castes have facilitated their ecological and evolutionary success. Termites have soldier castes specialized in defence, but other castes are also known to exhibit defensive behaviour depending on the context. However, it is unclear how the variation in the frequencies of defensive behaviour emerged. Here, we investigate the effects of presence of nestmates on individual defensive behaviour in the dampwood termite Zootermopsis nevadensis. We experimentally prepared three conditions and observed biting behaviour against the ant Camponotus obscuripes. First, the frequency of biting was significantly higher in soldiers than that in pseudergates (i.e., workers) under isolated conditions. Second, the results showed that the frequencies o..., ,