Jouquet Pascal auteur aut IRD Pando Anne auteur aut IRD Aroui Boukbida Hanane auteur aut IRD Harit A. auteur aut IRD Capowiez Y. auteur aut IRD Bottinelli Nicolas auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access In this study, we used Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy (MIRS) to analyze the biochemical fingerprints of nine termite colonies (soldiers, minor and major workers). We then examined whether these spectra could be used to differentiate termite colonies and if their differences could be explained by the geographical distances between colonies and/or their ages. We demonstrated that when only data from the heads of minor workers were considered, the specific fingerprint of each colony appeared to reflect its coordinate position in the study site. However, termite mound height, a proxy for colony age, was the main factor governing these signatures when data from the abdomen of major workers were used. Thus, this study shows the potential of MIRS for differentiating termite colonies in the field. It also highlights the close relationship between the physiological states of termite colonies and their environment. specialized Termite Mounds Niche construction Extended phenotype India INDE 080 074 020 65 1 77-84 2018 0020-1812 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010072037 10.1007/s00040-017-0589-0 0020-1812 [F B010072037] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010072037 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2018/02/010072037.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2018-03-05 2023-07-11 fdi:010072037 fre