Termites Evolution, Sociality, Symbioses, Ecology

This is a research-oriented review of the biology of termites. There is a strong emphasis on the gains made from modern technologies and contemporary concepts, for example the molecular and morphological phylogenies, social theory, the culture of fastidious microorganisms, microelectrode probing, natural stable isotope analysis and protein purification. Evolutionary, behavioural and developmental relationships with cockroaches and other social insects are considered in detail, while no fewer than seven chapters address the highly complex and perhaps unconventional mutualisms between termites and Archaea, bacteria, protists and fungi.