Sociogenetic investigation of the southern harvester termite, Microhodotermes viator, via genetic and behavioural bioassays

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dc.contributor.advisorO'Ryan, Colleenen_ZA
dc.contributor.advisorPicker, Mikeen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorMuna, Natashiaen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2014-11-07T09:15:11Z
dc.date.available2014-11-07T09:15:11Z
dc.date.issued2014en_ZA
dc.descriptionIncludes bibliographical references.en_ZA
dc.description.abstractThis thesis presents the first investigation of the population structure of the southern harvester termite, Microhodotermes viator (Family: Hodotermitidae), by assessing the genetic state and behavioural interactions within and between twelve colonies, from four areas across the Western Cape of South Africa. This study also critically debates the relationship between M. viator and heuweltjies (small Mima-like earth mounds), with regards to their origins and age. By critically analysing what is known, and debating the merits and shortcomings of various published hypotheses, this thesis concludes that heuweltjies are unequivocally attributable to the constructions and foraging activities of M. viator. However, the age and longevity of heuweltjies remains contentious. Several studies have attempted to ascertain age, using radiometric carbon dating on the basal calcrete layer found below mature heuweltjies, but there is disparity between results, primarily due to the challenges associated with dating calcrete. Therefore, an alternative method better equipped to mitigate these challenges, such as U-series isochron dating, is suggested for future research.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationMuna, N. (2014). <i>Sociogenetic investigation of the southern harvester termite, Microhodotermes viator, via genetic and behavioural bioassays</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Molecular and Cell Biology. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9300en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationMuna, Natashia. <i>"Sociogenetic investigation of the southern harvester termite, Microhodotermes viator, via genetic and behavioural bioassays."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9300en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationMuna, N. 2014. Sociogenetic investigation of the southern harvester termite, Microhodotermes viator, via genetic and behavioural bioassays. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Muna, Natashia AB - This thesis presents the first investigation of the population structure of the southern harvester termite, Microhodotermes viator (Family: Hodotermitidae), by assessing the genetic state and behavioural interactions within and between twelve colonies, from four areas across the Western Cape of South Africa. This study also critically debates the relationship between M. viator and heuweltjies (small Mima-like earth mounds), with regards to their origins and age. By critically analysing what is known, and debating the merits and shortcomings of various published hypotheses, this thesis concludes that heuweltjies are unequivocally attributable to the constructions and foraging activities of M. viator. However, the age and longevity of heuweltjies remains contentious. Several studies have attempted to ascertain age, using radiometric carbon dating on the basal calcrete layer found below mature heuweltjies, but there is disparity between results, primarily due to the challenges associated with dating calcrete. Therefore, an alternative method better equipped to mitigate these challenges, such as U-series isochron dating, is suggested for future research. DA - 2014 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2014 T1 - Sociogenetic investigation of the southern harvester termite, Microhodotermes viator, via genetic and behavioural bioassays TI - Sociogenetic investigation of the southern harvester termite, Microhodotermes viator, via genetic and behavioural bioassays UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9300 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/9300
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationMuna N. Sociogenetic investigation of the southern harvester termite, Microhodotermes viator, via genetic and behavioural bioassays. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, 2014 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9300en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Molecular and Cell Biologyen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Scienceen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.titleSociogenetic investigation of the southern harvester termite, Microhodotermes viator, via genetic and behavioural bioassaysen_ZA
dc.typeDoctoral Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelDoctoral
dc.type.qualificationnamePhDen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
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