Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
4498277 | Journal of Theoretical Biology | 2008 | 6 Pages |
Abstract
The territory size distribution of the termites Nasutitermes nigriceps and Nasutitermes corniger (Isoptera: Termitidae) in a mangrove forest on the Atlantic coast of Panama showed a rapidly decline region in the rear part and was strongly affected by the degree of connection between the prop roots of mangrove trees [Adams, E.S., Levings, S., 1987. Territory size and population limits in mangrove termites. J. Anim. Ecol. 56, 1069-1081]. To account for these empirical facts, we introduced a lattice model to simulate territorial competition under seasonal cycle, dry and wet season. The simulated territory grew during the wet season while it shrunk during the dry season. The model simulation showed that the shrinkage and expansion process resulted in winner and loser territories in the territorial competition, which consequently led to generate the declining regions.
Keywords
Related Topics
Life Sciences
Agricultural and Biological Sciences
Agricultural and Biological Sciences (General)
Authors
Sang-Hee Lee, Nan-Yao Su,