Zachariah, N and Singh, S and Murthy, TG and Borges, R M (2020) Bi-layered architecture facilitates high strength and ventilation in nest mounds of fungus-farming termites. In: Scientific Reports, 10 (1).
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Abstract
Mass–energy transfer across the boundaries of living systems is crucial for the maintenance of homeostasis; however, it is scarcely known how structural strength and integrity is maintained in extended phenotypes while also achieving optimum heat–mass exchange. Here we present data on strength, stability, porosity and permeability of termite mounds of a fungus-farming species, Odontotermes obesus. We demonstrate that the termite mound is a bi-layered structure with a dense, strong core and a porous shell that is constantly remodelled. Its safety factor is extraordinarily high and is orders of magnitude higher than those of human constructions. The porous peripheries are analogous to the mulch layer used in agriculture and help in moisture retention crucial for the survival of fungus gardens, while also allowing adequate wind-induced ventilation of the mounds. We suggest that the architectural solutions offered by these termites have wider implications for natural and industrial building technologies
| Item Type: | Journal Article |
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| Publication: | Scientific Reports |
| Publisher: | Nature Research |
| Additional Information: | The copyright for this article belongs to the Authors. |
| Keywords: | article; fungus growing termite; human; industry; land use; moisture; mulch; nonhuman; porosity |
| Department/Centre: | Division of Biological Sciences > Centre for Ecological Sciences Division of Mechanical Sciences > Civil Engineering |
| Date Deposited: | 03 Jun 2022 06:01 |
| Last Modified: | 03 Jun 2022 06:01 |
| URI: | https://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/66297 |
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